Accountability for anyone who abuses a child is essential. But it is disingenuous for The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board to repeatedly target the Catholic Church while turning a blind eye to the widespread and ongoing abuse of children within Maryland’s own state agencies (“When will abusing clergy face accountability?” Oct. 25).
Where is the editorial outrage over the thousands of children we now know were abused in Maryland’s juvenile detention centers — some by state employees sworn to protect them? Where is the demand for accountability after a recent audit revealed that children in foster care in Maryland were placed with known sex offenders? Where is the front-page coverage of teachers and coaches in our public schools who have preyed upon minors, often shielded by union protections or bureaucratic indifference?
The church’s failures are rightly condemned, but those cases are largely historical — many from decades ago — and, arguably, no institution has done more to confront its past while implementing systemic child protection protocols that have been proven effective. Meanwhile, children are being hurt today in institutions funded and overseen by the very government that claims moral authority to judge others.
True concern for victims demands consistency and accountability by both media and lawmakers. If The Sun truly cares about protecting Maryland’s children, it should hold all institutions accountable — not just the Catholic Church. Anything less is hypocrisy disguised as virtue.
— Jenny Kraska, Annapolis
The letter writer is the executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference.
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