SYDNEY, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A report by an advisory group of Australia's Catholic Church acknowledged a possible link exists between priestly celibacy and sexual abuse of children.
The conclusion by the group, called the Truth, Justice and Healing Council and advised by some of Australia's senior archbishops, is believed to be the first such admission by church officials anywhere.
The 12-person council was organized by the church, seeking advisement during an ongoing five-year government inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse by priests. The 44-page report covers redress, church failures in transparency and handling of civil claims.
"Church institutions and their leaders, over many decades, seemed to turn a blind eye, either instinctively or deliberately, to the abuse happening within their diocese or religious order, protecting the institution rather than caring for the child. Obligatory celibacy may also have contributed to abuse in some circumstances."
The report suggests celibacy may cause psychological damage in some priests, and recommends unspecified "psycho-sexual training."
"What our council's report says is that we recognize that celibacy can be a contributing factor," Francis Sullivan, executive director of the council and priest said in a Friday interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp.
"We do not know the extent of that, we do not know the degree to which it was a dominant factor but we are not putting our head in the sand and ignoring the issue. Already there has been a change in the way seminary courses are run, the way religious orders are training their members."
"We're not saying 'Let's get rid of celibacy,'" he added.
About a quarter of Australia's population regards itself as Catholic, making it the nation's largest religious denomination. The church has been heavily criticized for its handling of sex-abuse issues.
