The situation was similar in the U.S. Rudy Kos in Dallas thought the hierarchy would protect him as it had protected the other molesters with whom he shared rectories.
Brendan O’Connor in The Independent:
It is now clear that one of the functions served by the Catholic Church in Ireland was that of a club. It was a national club for paedophiles. Clearly, for decades in Ireland, those in the know were aware that if you had certain sick inclinations, the Catholic Church was the place for you. Not only would it offer you access to little boys and girls, not only would it put you in a position of trust with gullible families, but you would also be protected if anything went wrong. So you had the physical access. And you also had reasonable cover because of the special status innocent parents and God-fearing children afforded you. This meant you were unlikely to be questioned or complained about.
But on top of all that you had a whole structure in place that would protect you at all costs, that would move you out of any situation that became dangerous for you or where anything threatened your ability to access children. You would be sent to fresh hunting grounds if there was any hint of trouble or if word got around that people should keep their kids away from you. And the icing on the cake was that this structure, this hierarchy that would protect you above all other considerations, inspired fear and awe among everyone from gardai to government. So your habit was fed and you were untouchable.
What wouldn’t a paedophile pay for a lifetime subscription to this club? No wonder the Church was a magnet for sickos. And you were surrounded by patsies in the form of good priests and good Catholics who gave your whole game a gilt-edged reputation.
“…patsies in the form of good priests and good Catholics who gave your whole game a gilt-edged reputation.”
Sadly, that tendency among laity and clergy is all too common not just in the Catholic Church but in Christianity as a whole, and it’s not just concerning sexual abuse. It concerns how people view human nature as a whole. The laity and clergy become excessively (and unnecessarily) guilt-ridden because of asinine preaching that discourages intelligent discernment about human nature, discourages healthy suspicions and encourages sentimental views of human nature — all in the name of Christ!