Catholic Archbishop of Durban, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, has sparked controversy by defending paedophiles who were abused as children, arguing they are not criminally responsible for their actions in the same way as someone who “chooses to do something like that.” Cardinal Napier, who was among the cardinals who elected Pope Francis, described paedophilia as a “psychological disorder.”
Cardinal Napier’s Statements:
Speaking shortly after the papal conclave, Cardinal Napier stated:
“What do you do with disorders? You have got to try and put them right. If I as a normal being choose to break the law knowing that I am breaking the law, then I think I need to be punished. From my experience paedophilia is actually an illness, it is not a criminal condition, it is an illness.”
The Cardinal cited examples of two priests he knew who were abused as children and later became paedophiles. He added:
“Don’t tell me that those people are criminally responsible like somebody who chooses to do something like that. I don’t think you can really take the position and say that person deserves to be punished when he was himself damaged.”
These comments, made just days after Pope Francis assumed his role, have ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Backlash and Criticism:
Barbara Dorris, a representative from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a priest, strongly condemned Cardinal Napier’s remarks:
“If it is a disease that’s fine, but it’s also a crime and crimes are punished, criminals are held accountable for what they did and what they do. The bishops and the cardinals have gone to great lengths to cover these crimes to enable the predators to move on, to not be arrested, to keep the secrets within the church.”
Dorris’s statement highlights the concern that viewing paedophilia solely as an illness could lead to overlooking the criminal aspect of the abuse and the need for accountability.
Previous Controversial Statements:
Cardinal Napier has a history of making controversial statements. He has previously argued that people should abstain from sex rather than use contraceptives to prevent the spread of HIV.
The Cardinal’s recent comments on paedophilia have further fueled the ongoing debate about the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse cases and the responsibility of perpetrators.
