There is a tendency to argue in favor of Roman Catholic practices,

[marylandblue]

74. Well, for purposes of this discussion, there were two parallel law systems

Laypersons who committed crimes were under civil law and tried in civil courts. Clergy were exempt from civil law, they fell under canon law and tried in ecclesiastical courts. Ecclesiastical courts were often more lenient than civil courts, so this was a valuable privilege. In England, this system ended with the Reformation, when the church was made subordinate to the King. By the time the United States was founded, the clergy exemption was long gone and was no longer part of the legal tradition we inherited from England. Nonetheless, the Catholic Church maintained its internal legal system.

In the 19th century, large numbers of Catholics came to the United States and they were viewed with suspicion. The Church began a long-term PR campaign to improve their image, even as Protestant churches were preaching against them. The Catholic campaign was successful and they became fully integrated into American society. Priests and bishops were given great respect. Unfortunately, at least after 1950 or so, they used that respect to shield child abusers and their internal legal system failed to prevent abuse.

A medieval holdover that died out in the British/American tradition came back in through Catholic Church and it has harmed our children.