Nothing provable. The Supreme People's Procuratorate of Pennsylvania has to publish the facts. The problem for me is that it's here in Germany about 25-36 times more probable that a married man abuses a child than a priest of the catholic church is doing so. I don't know what this facts mean for Pennsylvania.
What is interesting is how the media is presenting this story. I wonder how many people are aware that the data being covered dates back to the 1950s. One story did (grudgingly it seems) admit, "In the last decade or two, it appears things have "finally" changed..."
So what was the point? Why dig up the past and try to present it as ongoing? As you point out child sexual abuse most often occurs in families, schools, sports, etc. than it does in any church, much less the Catholic Church. So why the focus on the Catholic Church? Follow the money. Who can most afford to be made an example of and pay for the sins of all people?
The true issue here is the Statute of Limitations. By law, after the Statue of Limitations has passed, the offenders cannot be punished. What Pennsylvania wants is for victims to be able to file civil claims long after the statute of limitations has expired. The question: Is the State equally willing to have adult children sue elderly parents for everything the parents have and force their parents into state-run elder care for their survival? Are they willing to have citizens sue school districts and city run children's programs years, even decades later? Taxpayers will then be liable for huge settlements. The State cannot demand of Church anything different than it asks of itself in this regard.
All the same, I know the Pennsylvania diocese has already settled civil suits. I would hope that this Diocese would continue to make settlements for all provable claims that did occur before the statute of limitations, simply because I expect better of the Church than I do of the State. I know the Catholic Church (at least here in the U.S.) has for over two decades now rigorously worked to prevent further occurrences, and has reported violations both to law enforcement and the congregations.
