Abusing catholic priests: a review of the literature

Abstract The authors examine the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors by members of the Catholic clergy.After reviewing the scientific literature on the subject, and the available data on the phenomenon, the authors focus their attention on the psy- chological dynamics of abuse, questioning the motivations to act of priests, on the psychological mechanisms that contribute to determine the conditions of abuse , on the criminological dynamics, finally interpreting the abuse as a sexual and relational betrayal perpetrated by the one who could be symbolically recognized as a father, therefore a person to trust and to trust. The review concludes with a reflection on the victims of abuse and the psychological consequences of the abuse suffered.