Joe Offer:"....It's time to stop all this blame-laying, punish those who are actually criminals, and find a SOLUTION to the problem."

Absolutely!!!

I don't know exactly what 'restitution' can be given to the victims, but somehow, it STARTS with acknowledging that a wrong had been committed, and then dealing with the molester. I know that, because of the embarrassment and bad press that the Church, as a whole gets, because of such acts, they prefer to keep things 'in house'. However, a solution would have to be so severe to the perpetrators, complete with instant disclosure to their superiors first, that they would be discouraged from even thinking about doing it! Those concealing it who are higher, because of 'chain of command', should document that they made the situation known to the hierarchy, upon their discovery, and to the highest up it goes, should be the one ultimately accountable for any action, or cover up...both in the church, and in the government. By law, to know about a felony, and conceal it, is aiding and abetting, and that person can be charged with conspiracy. This goes for government officials, as well! So all those in the government, who knew about this, and concealed it, technically are also guilty of the same crime...and should be criminally charged!

Just a thought on the matter....
GfS