A place where people once felt humbled can now be a place where some feel confused.

In the past few weeks, there have been several reports of Catholic priests committing acts of sexual abuse.

“I am saddened by it all,” said the Rev. Steve Knox from the Newman Catholic Student Center. “People look at priests to be moral in terms of faith. When they don’t live up to that, it’s very painful.”

The allegations started with the Boston Archdiocese and former priest John J. Geoghan, who was accused of molesting more than 130 youngsters and is serving a prison sentence for groping a boy in a swimming pool, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Since then, child-sex allegations concerning priests have blown up around the country, leading to the suspensions or resignations of dozens of priests.

The Rev. Thomas Doran, the bishop of Rockford, released a statement printed in the Feb. 22 issue of The Observer concerning the allegations.

“‘It would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea, Matthew 18:6.’ I say without fear of contradiction that every priest who so violates the confidence placed into his hands at ordination by molesting children or adolescents sexually or in any other way or for any purpose should suffer that fate,” Doran wrote.

The Diocese of Rockford has a sexual misconduct policy that applies to anyone who works for or volunteers at the diocese.

If allegations were brought up against anyone, an investigation would take place and evidence would be submitted to a panel of priests, lawyers, judges and experts in psychological sciences.

If the evidence is found to be substantial, the offender will be fired, and the diocese will cooperate with the civil law and will reach out to the victims and their families.

“It’s sad to see what happens in other churches,” said the Rev. Clausen, of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Maple Park. “I hope some good will come out of all this.”

So far, St. Mary’s priests haven’t seen any major changes in their church in terms of the parish members or attendance.

“I don’t think most people will leave church because of this,” Knox said.

Catholic churches are trying to gain some understanding of what happened and are helping parish members with these issues.

“Most of us reflect with the people in Mass,” Clausen said. “We pray for the priest.”

If people are having trouble dealing with the allegations of sexual abuse, they are recommended to talk to their priest or pastor.

“They are only humans and they need prayer,” Clausen said. “We need to redouble our efforts to be compassionate and understanding.”

Knox said the important part of the healing process for those who have been sexually abused by priests or other church personnel is a sincere apology by church leaders.

“That is the least we can do for someone who has been hurt badly,” he said. “It’s an essential part of living the gospel message.”