Polish archbishop blames child abuse on pornography, modern ideologies

Palm Sunday in Sanok - Wiki image

The head of Polish Bishops Conference, Archbishop Jozef Michalik, said on Wednesday that the cause of child abuse is pornography, feminism and 'selfish love' which undermines the family, Polish media reports.

During a special Mass for the 90th birthday of Cardinal Henry Gulbinowicz at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Wroclaw, Bishop Michalik said: "The shameful abuse by adults towards children results from the acceptance of pornography ... and the promotion of a false, selfish love between people."

Archbishop Michalik said: "You have heard of adults abusing children and this kind of evil is not to be tolerated, but no one asks about the causes of this," he said, blaming TV networks broadcasting "pornography and a selfish love".

"Nobody stands up for children suffering from a lack of love from divorcing parents, which leaves painful and permanent injuries" he added.

The archbishop also mentioned the "new ideology of gender" with universities offering gender study courses and "the most aggressive Polish feminists who scoff at the Church and years of traditional ethics, who promote abortion and struggle against the traditional model of the family and marital fidelity".

"The ideology of gender raises legitimate concerns, because it goes against the laws of nature, promotes marriage between persons of the same sex and fights for the right to legalize adoption of children by these couples," the archbishop said.

Two Polish priests working in the Dominican Republic are currently on leave and under investigation after they were accused last month of child abuse.

Source: Polskie Radio/PM