We should learn from the secrecy and suppression of the Vatican mindset

The question of paedophilia in our country is ruled by all the wrong instincts. On the one hand, we have the tabloid press keen to tell us that paedophiles lurk behind every corner and cassock; on the other, we have institutions specialising in the care of children pretending that all the problems are minimal – and on the outside. Clearly, they cannot both be right: as ever, the answer lies somewhere in between.

Paedophilia is a psychotic condition. Forty years ago, it may have been seen as ‘part of the rainbow of sexual behaviour’ (H. Harman) but we have learned so much more since then. As often pertains among those suffering from a psychotic delusion, paedophiles imagine that their attentions are welcome – but at the same time are perfectly capable of applying focused cunning to the urgent question (for them) of how easy access can be obtained to innocent children.

Unsurprisingly, they choose professions – the priesthood, education, familial social services, nursery work and so forth – and then keep very quiet indeed about their real curriculum vitae. The fact that, in this fairly obvious context, Ed Balls’ response is to vet & bar 12 million people outside the social care system (as opposed to putting the police to work on the inside) says it all about this insanely ambitious and stupid man.

Surely the simple answer to the question ‘Are paedophiles present in the child-care system?’ is ‘Why would they not be there?’

The rotten nature of the Catholic hierarchy’s cover-up of child abuse should alarm those in UK government busily engaged in accusing the population at large of potential to commit this crime, while absolving social workers and care-home operatives of any guilt in relation to it. Those of us who have been investigating local government denial of this problem know better than most the genuine difficulty in distinguishing between vindictive (even deranged) accusation, and real abuse. But the answer isn’t to deny any and all culpability.

The case of Staffordshire social services alone should be warning enough. If and when the level of this scandal ever gets out, it will make the damage done to the Catholic Church look minor by comparison.