Experts long ago abandoned the notion that priests could be cured of pedophilia. The goal of treatment today is to prevent a relapse. To begin, the priests are evaluated by psychiatrists and undergo a battery of assessments. Some patients are shown photographs while their level of arousal is monitored. At the institute’s cathartic group-therapy sessions, priests plumb their pasts for the origins of their disorders, build empathy for their victims and learn strategies to avoid acting on their urges. In addition, they’re sometimes prescribed antidepressants and drugs like Depo-Provera to suppress sexual appetites. In all, treatment can last a few months to a year, at a cost of $5,000 to $10,000 per month.
The institute is just one of a half-dozen major treatment centers across the country used by the Roman Catholic Church. Each year they handle scores of molesters, along with priests suffering from such afflictions as bipolar disorder. The facilities range from unfettered settings like the Hartford institute–where priests deemed safe can live off-site–to restricted campuses like Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md., where patients reside in virtual lockup. Unlike the Institute of Living, which treats mostly laypeople, the others are run by the church and work only with clergy. At these facilities, programs include a strong spiritual component, with prayer groups and retreats.
Eventually, if treatment managers decide that a priest is ready–based on close observation and psychological testing–he is released. At that point, it’s up to the church–or the courts–where he goes next. What’s certain, though, is that it shouldn’t be anywhere near kids.
