One of the pillars of the entire matter is its ecclesiastical aspect, as well as the fact that its protagonist was a teacher at a school that emphasizes its Catholic character at every turn and in every aspect of its activities. It also extols its attachment to Christian values and Catholic axiology. It likewise requires all members of its community—which it calls a community, incidentally—to be fully committed to upholding them. We find this in the official recruitment documents. It is therefore impossible to discuss the matter without reference to its religious, Catholic context.
A scandal that reveals more than anyone would want to see
The scandal is precisely what catches the eye first. For some, the publications themselves were probably a scandal. I advise such people to withdraw from social life and, following the example of ancient mystics, go into the desert. Apparently, it does one good and protects against the scandal coming from the world. For others, the protagonist’s sexual activity was the scandal. To those people, in turn, if they are believers, I recommend an honest examination of conscience, particularly regarding their own lust. Pornography websites are sustained by something, after all, and in Poland someone is also “boosting” PornHub’s statistics. And although I know that it is always the “bad” neighbor who watches, he too has neighbors. Human beings are sexual creatures, and nothing can be done about that.
There are, however, people with a strong allergy to pretense and hypocrisy. I have the impression that these publications may raise their blood pressure the most. For when one sets bigotry aside, what we see is a thick layer of hypocrisy exposed by these publications.
Hypocrisy greater than sin—when preachers condemn what they themselves practice
The Catholic Church is known for constantly attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Let us dispense with euphemisms and the blurring of meanings. We all know very well that calling someone a “plague,” as Bishop Jędraszewski did, serves to stigmatize them. It incites hatred and leads to verbal aggression, bullying, as well as direct physical violence against such people. I think even opponents and those who are not troubled by this state of affairs may agree with me. We will differ only in our assessment of such conduct. I consider it bad and vile. Someone may unfortunately consider it proper and desirable. Similarly, both the person who installs an alarm system in a house and the one who wants to bypass it in order to burgle the house are aware of the purpose for which security measures are installed. They differ only in their intentions.
The hypocrisy of church circles connected with the sexual “exploits” of their officials is widely known, given the number of publications, documentaries, and interviews with victims. Someone may say that no community is free from aberrations, which is of course true. However, in the case of the Church, we are dealing with a huge overrepresentation compared with the rest of the population. This phenomenon is interesting in itself. Let us recall, for example, F. Martel’s famous “In the Closet.” That is not all, however. For example, show-business people, whose negative influence defenders of church hypocrisy often invoke, do not claim the right to provide morality. They do not put themselves in the position of those who judge human behavior. Nor do they conduct catechesis, shape people, expect them to confess their intimate secrets, or have schools schedule classes with them. The Church, by contrast, places itself in such a position and expects the state to recognize it legally. It expects special protection, tax breaks, public funding, and a theatrical, obsequious attitude. As I mentioned above, the Church is also one of the main sources of hate directed at people from the LGBTQ+ community, including minors. And what is particularly vile, it expects and even pressures public authorities to support it in this regard. On the other hand, it is precisely in this institution that things such as those described and shown in the istotne.pl materials take place. Let us mention here the basis for thousands of memes: the famous orgy in Dąbrowa Górnicza. Gentlemen prelates and reverend fathers, that does not bother you? But it bothers you when two boys hold hands? And you have the nerve to lecture anyone? It reeks of hypocrisy; let us go deeper.
Harm born in silence—how the system breeds the suffering of those it was meant to protect
Why is this so? Why are there so many problems of this kind in the Church? Where does this extraordinary overrepresentation of homosexual people in this environment come from? Could it be that gay men have such enormous spiritual needs that they marched in ranks into seminaries? In the USA, for example, the Catholic priesthood is often referred to as a “gay profession,” meaning a typically gay occupation. It is no longer the hairdresser or stylist, but the priest… Paradoxically, the answer is homophobia itself. Many young men who discover their homosexuality view consecrated life—the religious life or priesthood—as a “safe haven.” Seminary means an end to questions from their mother, grandmother, or aunt about a girlfriend, as well as marriage and grandchildren. Until around the age of twenty, one can somehow “bluff” one’s family, but later it becomes increasingly difficult. As for one’s surroundings, one does not even have to say anything; one need not come out, people will talk behind one’s back anyway. Homophobia seeks out its victims like a radar. What is more, you do not even have to be gay to be called “faggots” or “queers.” And there you have it! Seminary means the end of the problem, and the family can even be happy and proud.
More sadly, there is often also the matter of such people’s authentic, deep faith and religiosity. They may be more sensitive and already traumatized by their surroundings as children. For years, many of them also used God as a “support” in their “problem,” in their shame before themselves, and in terrible loneliness combined with fear. God, however, of course did not answer, or they had to pretend that they could hear Him.
Observing the world teaches us many things, including that biology cannot be escaped. People have needs, and this cannot be denied. Pretending otherwise is self-deception. Worse still, it is a form of deception for which we will certainly pay. We therefore have a paradoxical situation. One of the most homophobic institutions, the Church, attracts homosexual people into its ranks and does so with full awareness of its hypocrisy. In doing so, it is also aware that such people can be more easily enslaved and made dependent on it, so that they can be exploited even more fully, including sexually. Reality shows that even the “trading” of more attractive seminarians is possible. I wish to recall here the notorious case at the Polish-American Seminary in Orchard Lake. It is worth remembering that the Church is not a company one can leave to look for another job. It is an authoritarian system of power that enslaves people systemically in many areas, and obedience is the foundation of being a religious brother or priest. Emotional, mental, and economic dependence make escape and seeking help outside the system difficult. Especially if someone believes. After all, that would be a betrayal.
Biology, however, does its work. Trapped in clerical hypocrisy, men compensate for their need for closeness with another human being. Unfortunate people who repressed their needs and feelings, pretending and lying to themselves and others for years, descend into hidden and compulsive sexual activity. Often in precisely the forms shown by the journalists from istotne.pl. Paradoxically, only such activity is “permitted”—that is, activity that remains unseen. And this can be considered understandable. Is this harm? Yes, in my opinion it is; this is precisely human suffering.
When the scandal smoke clears—it is time to ask where the blame really lies
The world is changing, and gradually, even in Poland, acceptance of broadly understood difference is growing. New possibilities are also emerging. One can move to another city or build a life abroad. Families are also becoming more tolerant, and a gay son is no longer an ancient tragedy for the household. More and more homosexual people are managing to live openly. Is this why church seminaries are beginning to stand empty? There are probably many reasons, but this one should also be taken into account. Is this “safe haven” no longer as tempting?
I invite viewers and readers to consider where the boundaries of harm, suffering, morality, and its absence lie in this matter.
I do not mind the label of the devil’s advocate, and I stand in Father Piotr’s defense. Many will probably be eager to attribute every trait of corruption, vile character, and other things to him. This raises new questions, however. Was he always like that? And if so, why did he enter the seminary and the order? If he was not like that, then why did the order corrupt him? This fount of morality, this salt of the Earth? How is that possible? More questions arise on their own. How many such people are there in the Church?
Father Piotr has already used the time for reflection to decide to leave the order. It was probably better to leave that environment alone. What bound him to the Order? Probably not its ideals.
Piotr! You will manage. Free yourself from them and live normally. Do not deny yourself, pretend, or lie, especially to yourself. Ultimately, that destroys one more than media catharsis.
Mike Carter (Atheism Station)
A film about Father Piotr from the Piarist School in Bolesławiec.