I believe there is more overblown hysteria when it comes to that then anything else. I do not doubt the veracity of the accusations, but I don't think it was as widespread as people claim.
Also...As an agnostic...why would I be worried about my children around priests, as they would never be in the position to be abused in the first place.
To be honest I don't blaim the Church for what happened to those kids. I blame the parents. Parenting fail is a parenting fail.