Sister Norma spanks the monkey, passes the buck
More guest grieving. You might think I was just getting too lazy to contribute my own shit, but... alright, maybe I am just a little. The floor is yours, Schmoopie.
About 40 years ago, when Sister Norma was old enough to know better, she sexually abused at least six boys, having "dozen of sexual encounters" with them as an 8th-grade teacher and principal. (What happens when you get sent to the principal's office stays in the principal's office.)
The Catholic Church found out what Sister Norma was up to in 1996, but of course did not tell the cops. (How egalitarian of the Church! To hide pedophile nuns, too, and not just priests!)
A transcript of Sister Norma's explanation to the Milwaukee archdiocese includes this gem:
"One thing happened at St. Ann's before Milwaukee, a young man, a student. First time it happened. He was 14 to 15. He was in 8th grade. Started kissing and petting. I was talking to him and all of a sudden he was kissing me. Then it went on. And then unfortunate."
"Unfortunate"? Is that what the novices are calling it these days?
The archdiocese panel asked Sister Norma what she thought the kids were thinking:
"They were sowing their oats. How many teenagers would resist that opportunity?"
Wait, wait, wait. As a teacher at a Catholic school, was her mission to provide opportunities for sinnin', or to quash the sinnin'? (Putting aside that whole "nun's vow of celibacy" business...)
Sister Norma sounds a lot like Humbert Humbert blaming 12-year-old Lolita for his pedophilia, doesn't she?
P.S. I think we can all agree that grown men hitting on, abusing, and sexually exploiting underage girls (or boys) is far more commonplace than grown women pulling a Mary Lay Letourneau. When a teacher starts screwing around with the tween-aged boys in her classroom, it's newsworthy. It's also rather incomprehensible, provided that you have a tough time (as I do) putting yourself in the mindset of a grown woman who finds 14-year-old pimply-faced boys hot. Presumably it's that position of dominance that gets her off and deters her from seeking a boyfriend her own age, and that shit ain't right.
And then unfortunate.
That's awesome.
I thought it was the vow of celibacy that deters them from finding a boyfriend their own age.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | February 01, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Speaking of Lolita: A U.K. company opted to name a line of kids' furniture "Lolita." And no, it wasn't done ironically. They just didn't know any better.
Posted by: Schmoopie | February 01, 2008 at 06:01 PM
As a former Catholic School boy, I will not pass judgment until I can see a picture of the accused from 40 years ago. I mean, even at the ripe old age of 79, I can at least picture what she looked like 40 years ago.
Lord, I am messed up.
Posted by: Dr. Tim Whatley | February 02, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Well, speaking as a former teenage boy, I can say that we are, and help me out here fellas, willing to do just about anything to get a little. ANYTHING. Join me here, guys.
I'm 15. If my 30 year old, hopefully hot (but who cares) English teacher seems like she wants me, I'm there. Did she abuse me? I hope so. Do I feel traumatized? No, I feel like the king of the fucking world.
OK, so it isn't quite that simple. And the whole nun thing may have been a deal breaker. And I did have a hot 30 year old English teacher. And she wasn't at all interested. Damn her.
My English teacher did the right thing.
Posted by: phil | February 03, 2008 at 01:43 AM
As a former Catholic school student, I can honestly say I have never seen a hot nun. Never.
Posted by: randi | February 03, 2008 at 01:44 PM