Recently there have been several editorials expressing the opinion that if priests were allowed to marry, they would not resort to sexually abusing young boys.

The correct term for someone who abuses young children would be “pedophile.” How would being married change this behavior?

If these priests wanted only sexual release, I’m sure they could find any number of adult women or men who would find it exciting and risky to engage in a sexual tryst with a priest.

The fact that priests are not permitted to marry, which they know before ever entering the priesthood, is most certainly not the reason they abuse young boys.

Whether they wear the white collar or they don’t, the ones who abuse young children are still pedophiles, and that behavior does not change, at least not without professional medical intervention.

Elizabeth K. Shade

Hollidaysburg