Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book takes up the biological backdrop of abuse. It makes the case that viewing the problem as one of homosexuality is a misleading oversimplification. It looks to sexuality as a theme in environing cultures. The book aims to find that the Penal Law of the Code and Particular Law, as well as the Administrative Process and Penal Process, have clashed or been ignored. It deals with the issue of liability or the legal responsibility that can be attributed to direct superiors in many organizations. This is an important point, since its application has determined the extent of legal action against Catholic priests, who usually could not cover the required compensations to the victims and their lawyers, but their bishops and the respective dioceses could.