On the eve of the release of former Boys Town student Mario D'Offizi's book, in which he describes how the late Catholic Bishop of Johannesburg, Reginald Orsmond, sexually molested him, the diocese admits that child sex abuse in the church has been a problem for many years.And Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, the Archbishop of Durban, says child sex abuse by Catholic clergy is certain to continue to be a problem in both society and the Church.
"It is clear that to the degree that Christians are not apart from the society in which they live, they will carry over from society some of its dominant features [good and bad]."
"Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if there is sexual abuse of children in society, some members of the Church will, sad to say, carry it over into the Church."
Andrew Miller, the publisher of D'Offizi's book, Bless Me Father, says there has been an overwhelming number of orders not only from South Africa, but also from Europe, the US and Canada.
"The orders have certainly been more than usual. The media coverage around [Orsmond] has been significant, and although the Boys' Town chapter is not a major part of the book, it has obviously sparked interest in South Africa and abroad," says Miller.
D'Offizi, meanwhile, says he is being pestered on a daily basis by friends and colleagues wanting to know where and when the book will be available to the public.
Its release, due this week, has been delayed for logistical reasons.
Last month it was revealed that the Catholic Church in South Africa could face a class-action suit after another former Boys Town student, who now lives abroad, came forward with allegations of molestation by Orsmond.
An ex-Boys Town staffer also said it was an open secret that the late bishop allowed boys to sleep in his room.
D'Offizi says he has had two conversations with the man abroad and "he has sworn me to silence". "He told me he has been in touch with the Church in South Africa 'at the highest level', asking and waiting for an apology for a number of years, with none to date.
"He was at Boys Town before me and had left by the time I arrived in 1962."
"In his mail," says D'Offizi, "he further wrote: 'I wonder just how many other boys like you and I have suffered and continue to struggle in silence. 'As I explained to you, I will take the necessary action at the appropriate time. So, again, I ask that you respect my desire that you keep this information confidential'."
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