Why aren't priests arrested for child molestations?

Answer 1

Priests Have been arrested, charged, and jailed. All orders for any removal of priests has to go through a chain of command.

Many times if there was an allegation of molestation by a priest, the Church would simply transfer the priest to another parish.

Answer 2

Evidence is slowly comming to light of direct instructions / recommendations from the Vatican to church's around the world that reporting such crimes would violate canon law. This evidence seems to be prior to the year 2000 and thereafter it would seem the church has somehow had an epiphany and reversed this.

Years ago, child abuse was not reported by anyone, including teachers, youth workers, principals,etc. as it was considered not a subject to be talked about, unfortunately. Now, all priests are REQUIRED to report this, as are other youth leaders mandated by law. The Catholic church has done more to eliminate child abuse than almost any other organization in the country. Abuse has nothing to do with homosexuality or priests, it is an unfortunate anomaly in all professions.

But in spite of this more recent requirement to report all suspected instances of child abuse, it still seems common for Church leaders to find reasons to believe the allegations unfounded or to handle the case internally. In one case, "Father F" committed a number of criminal offences against ten-year-old boys in the 1980s and subsequently admitted to the crimes, but remains free in society while the Church continues to deny the incidents occurred or even that the priest confessed to them. An internal Church report is now in the public domain, detailing Father F's admissions. It would appear that the public image of the Church and misplaced loyalty are what hold Catholic bishops back from performing their duty to report child abuse.