By Michael Hichborn, (LifeSiteNews), Lepanto Institute - One major source of the problem is a legal loophole contained within the Code of Canon Law itself which directly protects pedophile priests. Simply put, canon law prevents criminal perverts in the clergy from being properly prosecuted and punished. Not only does canon law make it impossible to reveal the homosexual and pederast networks existing among the clergy, but the nature of their perversion prevents punishment.