Joe Paterno And "Staff Sexuality" At My Early '60s Catholic High School

Dear John, 

I knew that staffmembers at my early sixties' high school -- Aquinas Institute, Rochester, New York -- were sexually active with students but I never said anything. (It was a great school then and is a great school now: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquinas_Institute)

It was "understood" that this kind of "sexual come-on" was "just the way it was" and there was nothing to be gained by "sounding the alarm" since Catholic parents (back in the day) taught their children that "if we didn't have something good to say about someone, don't say anything at all." 

Parents themselves were "formed" by the lockstep hierarchical structure of the church 1.) to accept the status quo, and 2.) to assume -- indeed, it would have been inconceivable! -- that Catholic staff might be seducing their kids. 

Here's how the mechanism worked...

"If we were not successfully seduced by a staffmember, why bother saying anything?" 

"And if we were successfully seduced, how could we admit it?"

My English teacher asked me to "tumble in the hay" while his wife was in hospital having a child. 

I will also mention that I was not offended by his "come on" and continued to have an amicable friendship with him after his offer. (You've probably heard the surpassingly clever limerick: "She offered her honor. He honored her offer. And all night long, it was on her and off her.") 

As it happened, my "suitor" was a paisan. 

If I had the chance, I would love to have a beer with him.

Pax, 

Alan 

PS Had I told my Dad, I'm sure he would have listened sympathetically and "done something. It was my own choice not to cause a kerfuffle. Good Catholics know their place and don't like to "make scenes" - certainly not when it comes to The Great Chain of Ecclesial Authority. (And there is something to be said for that "chain," although it is also true that everything is a "mixed bag" con sus ventajas y desventajas.) 

PPS Even now I feel like publishing this is a kind of betrayal and that I should keep my mouth shut.

Joe Paterno knew of alleged sexual assault by Jerry Sandusky in 1976, court documents say

A.J. Perez, USA TODAY Sports11:04 a.m. EDT July 12, 2016

(Photo: Paul Vathis, AP)

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno dismissed a sexual assault complaint made against assistant coach Jerry Sandusky by a 14-year-old boy in 1976 and the school was made aware of other allegations long before Sandusky was arrested 2011, according to documents unsealed in a Philadelphia courthouse on Tuesday.

A person deposed as part of an ongoing insurance lawsuit was asked by a lawyer if Paterno said, ‘‘I don’t want to hear about any of that kind of stuff, I have a football season to worry about."

The man, identified only as John Doe, confirmed in a 2014 deposition that Paterno indeed said that after he alerted Paterno about Sandusky’s sexual abuse.

“I was shocked, disappointed, offended,” the man said. “I was insulted.”

Penn State responded to the unsealing of the documents, first reported byPennLive.com and The Washington Post, with a statement from school president Eric Barron:

“Penn State’s overriding concern has been, and remains, for the victims of Jerry Sandusky. While individuals hold different opinions, and may draw different inferences from the testimony about former Penn State employees, speculation by Penn State is not useful. We must be sensitive to all individuals involved, and especially to those who may be victims of child sexual abuse. It also makes it much more difficult for Penn State to create an environment where victims of sexual abuse feel comfortable coming forward and where students, faculty and staff feel protected in reporting wrongdoing.

“Although settlements have been reached, it also is important to reiterate that the alleged knowledge of former Penn State employees is not proven, and should not be treated as such. Some individuals deny the claims, and others are unable to defend themselves.

“Speculation also serves to drive a wedge within the Penn State community. I would ask that we remember our University’s primary mission is to focus on research, education and service. Let's be respectful of other viewpoints and focus on our mission. The University is committed to ensuring our campuses are safe for children, and to ongoing prevention and education programs and research that contribute to a better society.”

Paterno family attorney Wick Sollers said in a statement that “overwhelming evidence confirms that Joe Paterno never engaged in a cover up.”

“The materials released today relating to Joe Paterno allege a conversation that occurred decades ago where all parties except the accuser are now dead,” Sollers  said. “In addition, there are numerous specific elements of the accusations that defy all logic and have never been subjected to even the most basic objective examination. Most significantly, there is extensive evidence that stands in stark contrast to this claim.

“That Penn State chose to settle claims without fully assessing the underlying facts is something that the University obviously felt they had to do to help resolve this matter. We understand their desire for closure, but it does not remotely validate the assertions about an uncorroborated conversation with Joe Paterno.”