In the most recent edition of The Catholic Standard & Times, editor-in-chief and Archdiocesan spokesperson Matthew Gambino issued an apology on behalf of the Church.
“We are sorry. We, the Church, are the lay men, women and children; the religious who pray for us and work with us; the deacons, priests and bishops who lead us and bring us the divine graces of the Catholic sacramental system.
We, the Church, are sorry for the sexual abuse suffered by our brothers and sisters when they were young people at the hands of the Church’s clergymen and teachers. The Church is sorry for the sins and crimes of some members against other members. The Church begs forgiveness of our brothers and sisters, and of almighty God.” Read more.
I worked with Gambino for several years while I was an editor with The Catholic Standard and Times. Knowing him personally, I have no doubt his intentions regarding this apology were well-meant and sincere. But I take issue.
Do not apologize for me. I’m guilty of plenty, but I’m not guilty of pedophilia or the cover up. There are very specific individuals who need to apologize and reconcile with God and their victims. So far, they haven’t. Even if they did, it would be too little and too late.
I’m sickened that I worked for such a morally corrupt archdiocesan administration.
I do believe in the healing power of forgiveness, but true repentance and real reform must come first. Gambino asks for our trust. I say the Church hierarchy hasn’t earned it.
Nicely put, Susan. I want to write more, but words cannot express how strongly I’m torn between raising my sons to be “generic Christians” or exposing them to the faith which is responsible for much of my life, character, and rebellion.
As Catholics we perform the sacrament of Reconciliation alone for a reason; because there is no such thing as collective salvation. Only the sinner themselves can apologize for a specific sin because only they know how they truly feel. This isn’t one large scale sin that you get a discounted penance with if you apologize in bulk. This is a series of horrific acts that need to be answered for individually not only in Church, but in a court of law.
Susan – thanks for giving all those who care a forum to openly share their feelings about things that are going on in the Church. Nice job!
Just read the article in the Inquirer concerning your efforts. Thank you for your work. Today, after exiting our church, my wife and I decided to get more involved. We live in Chadds Ford and have been practicing Catholics all of our life and have two grown children. Today, while attending one of the two churches we attend regularly, listend to the pastor speak of the 30 million Catholics that have left the church and how studies have shown that we, the lay people, should reach out to these folks and invite them back to the church. He stated, “it’s your duty to reach out to them”. Susan, the Catholic Church still does not get it. How about the question of why they left in the first place. Your idea of sending pictures to the the Cardinal is a start and we plan to do so. Yes, we are frustrated and to stand by and do nothing is no longer an option.I would have enjoyed Mass on EWTN today than waste another hour in an environment where so called leaders of our church just don’t get it. I read yesterday where the Jesuits paid the Native American Indians (on Reservations) and Native Alaskans $166 million to settle abuse cases because this is where the Jesuits transferred their priests to for rehabilitation. My wife and I are well educated Catholics who are simply fed up and we can no longer sit around and do nothing. We applaud your efforts and will monitor your site. The Catholic Church just doesn’t get it! Keep The Faith!!
Thank you and your wife for following the site. You’re so right. They just don’t get it. I think that sums it up. It’s heartbreaking to think of another huge group of victims who could have been protected. The Jesuits, known for their education, had to know there is no such thing as rehabilitation for pedophiles. It’s heartbreaking to think this atrocity could have been prevented and that $166 million could have been spent on schools, the needy and ministry. Clearly, this isn’t just an archdiocesan clergy problem. This situation is happening in Ireland, England, Germany, seemingly everywhere. Where is Church leadership? They need to ask themselves why the pews are empty. People are hungry for faith. Since creating this site, that’s one thing I know for sure.
I am of the opinion that if the Parochial School System is to survive the Archdiocese must grant the Parishioners input and control of the financial and administrative management of their schools and Parishes.
I was happy to read of your works in the Philadelphia paper. I was raised Catholic and attended catholic school for 12 years.
I have stopped attending church in the last several years due to the handling of the sex abuse scandal. It is difficult to be told what to do by a group who can’t admit their mistakes and make restitution to those who were harmed. I have always felt the Catholic church focused more on what one shouldn’t do than on what one should do. Maybe it would have helped them handle the abuse scandal if they had taken a different approach. The cardinals and hierarchy in the Catholic church doesn’t get it. At this rate the Catholic church will cease to exist in the next decade.
It’s up to all in the pews to cause change -from Rome to Philadelpia ! Money and power are the essence of the issue. We must selectively holdback money and cause the cases in Philadelphia to impact Rome financialy. If Rome can be brought inot the prosecution and found to be complict things would happen
The “search function” on my web site is now working well and there are 10 years build-up of information accessible there on “things catholic” and the truth, the cross, and the gospel of grace. Please visit and take a good look around.
http://xcatholic.yuku.com