Thanks for your clarification JOA
The reason it's an issue now is plain. Complaints about abuse years ago were ignored. Consequently the abuse has continued to the present day. The question is Why?
More precicely - how was this allowed to happen, why was action not taken sooner, and why are those who ask for the matter to be taken seriously being attacked by the Vatican..
From a SNAP statement reported in the Independent (29/3/10)
It's true that abuse has and does occur in many hierarchical institutions, some secular, some religious. To accuse one should not distract from the other. ALL should be accountable. Unfortunately, in the matter under debate here, those responsible appear to be trying to deflect criticism by denigrating the victims, yet another abuse of power, and showing a deep unwillingness to accept responsibility, or to accept the seriousness of the damage done.