Even after almost 40 years of news reports and investigations, of charges, denials, confirmations and prosecutions, of the disgusting details of extensive coverups, the pedophile sex abuse scandal that has stained the Catholic Church retains its power to shock. Thousands of victims in virtually every state in the country. Thousands of perpetrators. And a church hierarchy that for decade after decade chose to protect the abusers and the church itself rather than protect children.
