The way I see it, the only folks who can make the appropriate changes are the Bishops and the Vatican (Pope and the Curia [the government of the church]) because it is going to require a look at the identity and work of a priest in relationship to how he is not expected to live his vows.
We know that sexual abuse is only a means or weapon of expressing power over - when there is powerlessness then there is war or, sexual abuse or, accepting the loss of power and sinking into oblivion with other addictions from drink to drugs to gambling etc.
Paul IV became Pope during Vatican II he took three important commissions off the table and would not allow them to be discussed - Family, Population Control and Birth Control - revamping the Curia - the Definition of the Identity, Ministry and Life of Priests.
The concept of a priest who is supposed to be consolers of souls, guides for the faithful in all of the most difficult moments in life, act by the mandate of and in the person of Christ the Head in today's world with the media a daily challenge so that priests no longer have the bully pulpit to guide - when they try to empower the poor they are knocked down by the Vatican, who like most governments have their bread buttered by the wealthy.
The recommendations to carry out a priestly life have not changed in hundreds of years - how does a parish priest who must deal with maintaining buildings and staff, the politics of the community like any business leader with a school to run and parishioners asking him for the help that often means going to the leaders in the local government, have time to spend each day in "an environment of contemplative silence, reflecting on their proper vocation which is both gift and ministry: a gift for which to be grateful and a ministry to discover and appreciate."
Or how about as he counsels families dealing with a deformed infant or their child who is terminally ill or workers who are systematically not paid or families torn apart because of violence or communities beset by a drug war or even teaching knowing you are in competition with what is learned on TV and in the streets with no tools other than your voice to make a dent and yet, in response the priest is supposed to "systematically study theology of the sacrament of Orders, as a necessary undertaking."
The priest needs a systematic study of therapy techniques and how to persuade justice and how to assist families with life today, not in a hamlet or as farm peasants. The nuns were cut off during Vatican II and now the Vatican is trying to reel them back where as, the priests had the heavy hand of the Vatican following their every move with those in the Vatican having no experience for their life other than the safe, controlled communality, fraternity and highly political life of Vatican City.
And so to me sexual abuse by priests can be controlled, like any addiction but, it does not solve the problem. There will continue to be clergy who express their anger in their powerless role to make a real difference for those they are supposed to give care, teach, maintain buildings, salaries. and play a political role in the community to get anything accomplished.
On Celibacy this is what they have to contend with --- Remember celibacy in only within the Roman Catholic tradition not any of the other rites like the Coptic, Syrian, Byzantine, and was established as a mandate by Rome in 1054.
Here in modern words is their directive - "Regarding celibacy, we recall that it ought to be accepted and seen as both gift and charism. It is appraised as such by all of Tradition and is providentially received in the Latin Church as a necessary condition for approaching priesthood. It is seen as a precious gift which the Lord has made to the Church. An appreciation of its biblical, theological and pastoral bases, along the lines drawn up by the recent ecclesial Magisterium ought to be an integral part of study and teaching on the identity and spirituality of priesthood. Those who are called to this charism live it with joy in a spirit of gratitude to the Lord and of total dedication to their brothers and sisters."
