Leon J. Podles :: DIALOGUE

A Discussion on Faith and Culture

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Entries Tagged as 'Psychology'

The Quality of Mercy

May 29th, 2010 · 10 Comments

In reading the cases of sexual abuse, I pity the victims, but I often pity the abusers, who are often psychopaths on a straight path to hell. They must be punished, both to affirm  justice and to waken them to the enormity of their acts. Punishment is necessary for justice, and justice is necessary if [...]

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Tags: Psychology · clergy sex abuse scandal · guilt

Mental Illness and Guilt

February 16th, 2010 · 1 Comment

My discussion of the Schmidt case has obvious relevance to clerical sexual abuse. The abusers may have been, in some sense of the word, “sick”; they certainly had distorted personalities. But whatever the source of their desire to have sex with minors, they were guilty when they acted on that desire. 
As Joe said, a good [...]

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Tags: Psychology · Responsibility · clergy sex abuse scandal

Bishop Lahey and Sacrilege

October 20th, 2009 · 1 Comment

Nightmares are a hazard of those who investigate child abuse, and one of the most potent sources of the nightmares is the explicit sacrilege that is sometimes, perhaps often, involved in the abuse. Some abusive priests have dressed boys as Jesus and then assaulted them.
 
Bishop Lahey not only had child porn on his computer (bad [...]

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Tags: Canada · Psychology · Responsibility · clergy sex abuse scandal · law enforcement · repentance · sexual abuse

Music Hath Charms

March 29th, 2009 · No Comments

Everyone recognizes that music can affect the listener’s mood – that is why most people listen to music. Can music also either directly or through the mood affect the body? That is more debatable, but some therapists are convinced it can. The New York Times reports:
“Listening to finer music and attending concerts on a consistent [...]

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Tags: Psychology · Uncategorized