Clerics should answer cases of child abuse

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC

The recent arrest of a Catholic parish priest, accused of trafficking a 13-year-old in Marikina City, is highly unusual. He was charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Most cases of clerical child abuse go unreported or are covered up in the Philippines. In other countries, the scandal of clerical child abuse has also left thousands of victims without redress, help, therapy or a chance for justice.