Click here to read: “Inquirer Editorial: Couldn’t shred the truth” March 1, 2012
Excerpt: “The Bevilacqua memo seems to be irrefutable proof that a cover-up not only occurred, but, in effect, will continue so long as the church’s battle against full disclosure continues.”
That’s why the next step should be for people to push for the FBI to do a full investigation using the same RICO statutes that they use for organized crime.
Msgr Lynn has proven that priests will “sing” in a minute to get out of going to jail. Bevilacqua’s body wasn’t even into the 8th circle of hell yet and Msgr Lynn was arguing in court that “my mafia lieutenant made me do it”.
If people push for the FBI to do a nationwide investigation, they could get into all of these “secret archives”. They did this in Belgium just a month or so ago. Undoubtedly, some “Belgian Bevilacquas” shredded memos, but the authorities could still get enough information to start a series of convictions to bring honesty and honor to the Catholic church.
Also, when the “shredders” start destroying evidence, others that know about it will stampede the police stations, trying to work out a deal to keep themselves out of jail. They know, like Msgr Lynn does, that they won’t be treated well in jail….
Patrick, the FBI is part of the US Justice Department. The US Attorney General responds to presidential prodding.This is an election year and PA has a primary next month. Sen. Casey is up for re-election, I believe.
If we continue to make our voices heard, it will make a difference. It has with the PI editorial board and perhaps with Seth Williams and Judge Sarmina.
We don’t know when the next shoe will drop, but it will drop. In the meantime, we must each do what we can in our own situations to keep the pressure on.
PS Sorry for mangling your name, Kathy. I am getting “blog punchy”.
Please note the Detroit Free Press, a major paper, has picked up on SNAP’s call that shredder “witness'”, Bishop Cistone, be investigated. I have e-mailed her the C4C thread of comments. I encourage those of you who are so disposed to e-mail directly the reporter, Niraj Warikoo , (at nwarikoo@freepress.com ) and encourage her to stay on top of the story.
Also, please consider adding a comment directly to yesterday’s PI editorial on the Phillynews.com site and also clicking on the “Contact Us” icon on the bottom telling the editor to write more related editorials about the Philly scandal. Thanks.
ATTENTION C4C BLOGGERS:
I just want to inform you that on this Sunday night, March 4, on CBS at 7pm, EST, 60 Minutes will feature Archbishop Martin of Dublin about the near collapse of the Irish Church as a result of the sex abuse scandal there.
In some parishes, weekly Mass attendance dropped from 90% of parishioners to 2%.
I hope the Philly AD is paying attention.
How does one go about getting the FBI to listen to us?
The FBI can do nothing more than police departments. The laws need to be changed so that law enforcement has more resources to investigate and prosecute child abusers. We need to get our elected leaders and the US Attorney General to listen to us and show us how they intend to protect children.
The PI editorial is your and Karhy’s’s birthday present, Susan. I know the PI staff read C4C. They are, of course, professional journalists. But they are Philly people, who react to the pleas and suffering of their neighbors. I am serious and not just cheerleading.
As C4C bloggers bare their souls and express their outrage, it moves people and that is good. We must keep it up. We are being heard and are making a difference.
S
“Just as two Philadelphia grand juries concluded, Bevilacqua’s reported 1994 shredding directive, brought to light only last week, appears to confirm that there was a carefully orchestrated effort by Archdiocese of Philadelphia officials to shield predators.
Similarly, it has been revealed that Bevilacqua joined with other Pennsylvania bishops “to examine how the dioceses . . . can better protect their secret archives from civil-law discovery,” according to church records.”
Civil law discovery was the key….not protecting children. And PA is not the only place where the Church has put a lot of energy into “protecting their secret archives fron civil law discovery”.
This is genuinely disgusting, and sadly common.
When their primary concern was no longer saving souls……….Christ was no longer with them or in them………….and they could not see the face of Christ in others……………
how come chaput has not commented on this
Maybe he is not allowed to for legal reasons. The little he knows the better………just like when he said he did not read the gran jury reports. Did he read them yet?
grand
Because he is part of the problem
He is politically very shrewd. He is distracting parents with school closings. If he can get them focused on that, they will ignore this.
Catholics (99%) are sheep and are sociologically predictable, and if you wave a dog biscuit in another direction, they will ignore thing happening right in front of them.
Throw in fighting gays, the HHS mandate, and closing schools, and Catholics (99%) couldn’t be less concerned about a program of organized child sex.
Distance and distraction……….I know chaput read the reports………..
Michaels favorite law firm in the link below defends the purity of the AD after the 2005 Grand Jury report was released. It is the AD’s response. I have pulled a few excerpts.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=response%20of%20the%20archdiocese%20of%20philadelphia%20to%20the%20report%20of%20the%20investigating%20grand%20jury%20pursuant%20to%2042%20pa.%20c.s.%20%C2%A7%204552(e)&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.philly.com%2Fdocuments%2FRESPONSE22.pdf&ei=bf5PT7nBD4LSiALrwfC1Bg&usg=AFQjCNF2TbNdjySvi2QvCsAjgKNkqKyFNQ
Most disturbing is the manner in which the District Attorney’s Office levels outlandish accusations of “cover-up” and “concerted efforts to conceal” sexual abuse by priests. Although the report does not formally indict a single person, it seeks to “convict” in the court of public opinion the Archdiocese, two Archbishops, various members of the Church hierarchy over the past fifty (50) years, and countless other priests, religious, and lay persons of participating in an evil conspiracy to hide the sexual abuse of minors. As discussed in greater detail in this response, these charges – based upon half-truths, false assumptions, and innuendo – are categorically false. p 8
As to clergy sexual abuse, Cardinal Bevilacqua’s tenure was marked by his strong commitment to the protection of children and young people by his no-nonsense approach towards abusers. p 10
This is an opinion by sasso whereas the Phila Grand Jury is a report based on Facts, and given the fact that a document ordered shredded by bevilaqua negates sasso’s opinion altogether and proves unequivocally that until the laws are changed things will remain the same and the rcc will not have to answer for the untold number of Victims out who have no Life.
It takes two to tango.
Chaput can obstruct civil-window legislation all he wants, but he doesn’t succeed until people in Harrisburg listen.
Don’t expect anyone in the hierarchy to fix the injustice. The entire institution is depraved, corrupt and evil. The question, then, is who in Harrisburg is listening to it?
And since the leaderships excuse………..we did not know or we did nothing wrong is no longer true will Harrisburg still continue to block legislation for them?
I think the Penn State situation makes it very hard for Harrisburg to block child abuse legislation. They are in the public hot seat now. The key is getting the publicity for the bills so that people will know what’s going on and will hold those in Harrisburg accountable for getting these bills passed.
Jackie, you make good sense, but I am not so sure. Politicians rely on the public having a short memory, while the Philly AD’s lobbyists work 24/7 forever! It is important to continue to pressure th politicians as many C4C bloggers know even better than I.
Jerry is sadly right..about the future of the Statutes of Limitations legislation that would give victims a ‘window’ to file their long overdue claims…that is pending in Harrisburg.
The bishops lobbyists ARE working 24/7 to stop this legislation! And even with the Sandusky stuff to say nothing of the Bev stuff….folks memories are short.
Which is WHY it’s so vitally important to keep legislators focussed on these issues!
AND why THIS Inquirer editorial is so helpful! Because what it says is that because victims of clerical abuse have been so horribly treated by the Archdiocese, with shredding of documents etc. Those Statutes of Limitation ‘windows’ need to be opened up so victims can pursue long overdue and obfuscated. Justice.
Which is also WHY I fussed around with a possible e mail that concerned folks might want to send to their elected public officials in Harrisburg. The proposed e mail sends the Inquirer editorial, and,hopefully, folks personal thoughts on the matter.
In Harrisburg, both Marsico and Caltigarone are/were withholding legislation.
Chaput, Krol, Bevilacqua, Rigali, Cistone, Finn, Law, Lynn, just to name a few of the sadistic shepherd-sharks whom we should, as Jesus would do, vomit them out of our mouths.
Joan:
“Michael’s favorite law firm”…..top of the list, for sure. Best part is that we, the Philadelphia faithful, are paying for the legal services there for Sasso and his minions.
This link displays the dialogue initiated by this writer when Seth Williams was running for DA and was “of counsel” to the law firm of Stradley and Ronon. Hey, in retrospect, it was indeed a victory for those advocating on behalf of PA children since, after the election, Mr. Williams pursued these matters with great vigor and diligence.
Another great benefit from the alliance of Williams and Sasso at Stradley and Ronon is that Mr. Sasso received a fine lesson in the meaning of the word “comeuppance.”
http://www.youngphillypolitics.com/seth_williamsquotof_counselquotstradley_and_ronon
Michael, I never knew Seth Williams had worked for Sasso’s law firm. WOW! He might dream of working there again, next time as a partner, not “counsel” which is generally a subordinate position.
We have no choice but to give Seth the benefit of the doubt. We also know, I believe, that some of the current Assistant DA’s worked under Lynne Abraham, who courageously convened the two grand juries.
Seth will now warrant even closer scrutiny.
I wouldn’t understand half of what I need to about this struggle in Harrisburg if it weren’t for this blog.. Thanks!!!! May I ask some questions of some of you who are more knowledgeable on this subject?
Questions…
1).How marvelous is the Internet in this mess?! To what extent is the Internet responsible for the fact that this “scandal” is discussed and clarified more and more everyday for ordinary people …pulling us up out of our blissful ignorance about our Church. -?
2)What is their long term goal (25-50+ yrs) for the AD? These arrogant men can’t be ALL foolish enough to believe that their corruption will survive the “light of day” effect cast by the internet —and hopefully by the justice system–?? Do they REALLY have long term plans to try to survive this –or are they all just hoping to ride out their careers, with no real thought for the AD’s future? —- I mean, in 25 yrs, with no priests, no funding, empty, closed churches, and nothing but enlightened, resentful former followers to tell their story .. what resources do they plan to work with??? I don’t get it.
3)Why would/did these unscrupulous leaders ever create paper lists or records about their sexual offenders in the first place?– and actually write paper memos to shred them? .Also….The “secret safe” records casually lying around for decades in the AD offices” and just now being dusted off and presented in court….. And the “sorta heroic” but unfortunately dead at 60yrs old, Fr. Molloy’s tale about “wanting it all written down just in case” just doesn’t sound right to me. Anybody else sense something feels “off” there.–?? What games are being played?
My common sense says that they’ve achieved their lofty AD positions because they’re reliable, sociopathic liars who are covering up for countless other hustles. There’s hidden junk suppressed at every level of this Church’s structure…. Nobody will ever straighten it all out… Would somebody just get me a large can of Raid?!…
Crystal as far as number two. I think since many of the priests are getting up in years they feel they put their time in and are ready to clock out, retire and/or resign ……why get involved…..keep your distance…. insiders even seem to apply this to the pope. It will be the few younger priests that are left to pick up the pieces with any laity that remain in the church. They have their work cut out for them to earn any glimmer of trust or respect from the laity. I think the leadership that have caused and contributed to this mess just want to wash their hands of it and if they escape any legal ramifications retire in some quiet town far from the pain, sorrow and destruction they have caused. I do believe Chaput is turning the Archdiocese inside out to clean up what corruption he can and damage control but that is not enough laws need to be changed. This corruption trickles down from attitudes in the Vatican that they are above the law or that if there is no legal responsiblity than they have no moral obilgation. Afar cry from Jesus command to love our neighbor…..
Thanks, Beth, but I am sceptical about Chaput.
I am sure with the criminal law spotlight on the Philly AD, he is making at least cosmetic improvements.
But his cheerleading for Lynn and the suspected pedophiles at the priests’ private party, his intransigence on SOL reform, his silence on the shredding revelation, his blaming victims for the school closures, his record of ambition, etc., make me continue to question his authenticity.
I would like to think otherwise, but I have seen too many Chaput-types in my life.
Jerry,
I hear you. What you say is true. He opposes law changes and applauding Lynn was outrageous. We need more change than he seems willing to make and there is always the issue of motivation for doing things.
thanks for this answer Beth… sounds reasonable. Can’t really blame them for standing back from this mess! I have no trust in Chaput –he strikes me as just a “company man”
Jerry,
If I might add it seems that while publicly keeping a distance right now with legal matters concerning Sexual abuse of children except for opposition to law changes. Chaput seems to be very hands on in private in comparison to Riagali . Chaput revamped the regions, now the finances, new lawyers many other changes are underway. Again the motivation in these cases seems to be neccessity because of all the corruption he inherited here.. He is still getting his bearings on the archdiocese and how to read the public and the laity here. There is no denying he is still a product of a priesthood where clericalism is the rule. More needs to be done. I am also aware of how he went about striking down the laws in CO. Which he said were unfair because they did not include public institutions. But even in adding the public institutions here he stills believes the laws are bad law. I don’t agree with that. We need law changes to protect kids and that is one of the few ways for us to do so.No delusions here.
Crystal,
In answer to your number 3…
They kept detailed records of their “liabilities” because they had to know where to place them. They couldn’t re-send them to the same location or any location as close to the last one because the victims/families would complain. Also, families that complained believed the hierarchy took the person out of ministry and if they re-sent them to a nearby location, there was the possibility that the perp would seek out former victims or the families that complained would find out the perp was still in ministry and create “problems.” In a nutshell, so they had to keep detailed records to track their placements. They needed to stay one step ahead of the victims.
I want to shake the catholics in the pews who believe the hierarchy “didn’t know.” They not only knew…they orchestrated the whole mess.
This is where a lot of rage comes from for many victims…because they didn’t have to be victims. Most of the victims of catholic clergy abuse could have been prevented. This is why the dynamic in the rcc is different than in families or other places of sexual abuse.
thanks sw! i understand better now.
Also Canon Law requires everything to be recorded. Any infomation received about a priest whether it be a glowing complimentary letter sent by a parishioner to the Archdiocese or an allegation of abuse is recorded.
Crystal, your incisive and direct comments are refreshing, thanks.
Canon law developed mainly over 1,000 years after Jesus. As a practical matter, it is whatever the pope wants it to be. Popes have, and will, violate it with impunity whenever it suits them.
A lot of people were and are upset over the new liturgy changes. Many of them have commented on the National Catholic Reporter website.
In my view, the changes are part of the pope’s plan to negate Vatican II and restore an absolute papal monarchy that functions like a cult.
Sw,
Wow how calculating. Did not put that all together before. Thanks.
Crystal,
Question 1: I don’t know…but I’m grateful for the internet and all media sources. The corrupt part of the rcc must hate the media (and therefore blames them), but the true believers are grateful for the media coverage on this topic. It takes courageous people to write the stories, research this ugly topic, start blogs, etc., knowing they will reap the scorn/misunderstanding of many.
Question 2: I certainly can’t answer for any catholic AD…but, typically, arrogant, self-preserving institutions operate on fear, are not prone to change, and instill fear in their followers/employees, thereby, keeping a network of fear-based people clinging to the instituion. In short, my guess would be that they don’t have a real plan. To continue as they’ve been would be disasterous. If there is a plan, it will probably be “tweaks” to an already warped system. **Think “liturgical changes” for the pew catholics.
(sorry!I know I have way too much to say today!)
Kathy- thanks! “Canon Law” -?!!!….the very idea is absurd to me. As if Jesus invisioned and called for such a thing.
S.W…. on subject of “liturgical tweaks”… Was anyone else as annoyed as I about the silly changes to the words of the prayers in the Mass? How tone deaf and poorly timed was this klutzy renovation to our religion? Is it amateur hour – or what!?
I don’t think they have a plan either. Kinda like an uncontrollable fire have to let it burn before they can assess the damage. That is how I feel sometimes myself………can’t control it don’t know where it is going to take us…….
Crystal,
The liturgical changes may be annoying, but this is a great example to show the church does not have a plan.
Why push a “Catholics Come Home” blast and then change the language so it won’t “feel” like home when/if they ever do make it back? When they do not allow “fresh eyes” into the inner circle, then this is what they get. Certainly someone must have thought this might not be the best “plan” when they were considering the numbers that were leaving.
Beth…uncontrollable fire…great analogy.
Survivors Wife, you are so very wise. Your answer to Crystal is so accurate. You continue to be a grateful source to me as a person of truth and intergrity. Thank you for all your postings, please never stop.
Friends, believe me, the bishops have a plan, even if it seems to me it is a seriusly flawed plan. They are not spending hunreds of millions on lawyers without a full plan.
It appears the US bishops think because they have almost unlimited resources to fund a legal, political and media strategy, they can ride this out until things are forgotten. They are wrong.
The Irish bishops thought the same way, until the Irish national government stepped in. The US Justice Department will sooner or later do the same, which is why the bishops’ really fear an Obama re-election.
I hope the US bishops watch this Sunday’s 60 Minutes so they can see that an “ostrich strategy” won’t work in the US either. When they take their heads out of the sand, it will be worse, not better, for them. Too bad!
Jerry yes maybe they have a flawed legal plan ……..but I was focusing more on what they are going to do with “us’ laity after this trial and fallout is over……I don’t think it can go back to the way it was….if it does…..it will be like you said about Ireland 2% going to church if even that. They have violated our trust(not to mention our children) and not demonstrated by their actions they are real followers of Christ.Can anyone at this point honestly say “see how they love one another”
Jerry, excellent point. I agree the bishops have an elaborate plan on how to self-protect. The plan is the same as it’s always been…whatever it takes to save themselves. It’s a messed up plan using old methods.
However,I don’t think they have a serious long-term plan about ministering to their flock. They are short-sighted about the things that truly matter. “Ride it out” won’t work this time around.
Crystal:
The answer to your conundrum is quite easy…….
Archdiocesan leadership has been following the professional legal counsel of Stradley and Ronon for many, many years. Why not send the Chairman, William Sasso, a note of thanks today for the current state of affairs within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia?
Save the postage, and thanks to the glorious Internet, we have a website for this law firm as well as e-mail addresses. Who knows, the Chairman may respond to you. He never has to this writer.
So we should now blame the lawyers? — The AD was blindly and earnestly following legal advice all along in this? I do respect your answer Michael, but…. ?
These “Churchmen” have told us to blame the Psychologists who claimed that sex offenders could be cured; blame the parents of the victims for lack of supervision; blame our American culture for its depravity; blame the anti-Catholic media for inventing and then exaggerating the crisis.
–Next they’ll be telling us to blame their lawyers? I’m not buying it.
oops… want to add –Also we’re supposed to blame the seminaries for admitting homosexuals, and also we mustn’t forget to blame the wacky 1960’s. In short, blame anyone or anything but the God’s one, true church.
Cardinal: You want answers?
DA: I think I’m entitled to them.
Cardinal: You want answers?
DA: I want the truth!
Cardinal: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with collars and bibles. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Asst. DA? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for the young boys and you curse the priests. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that the assaults, while tragic, probably saved other boys. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saved boys…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that church wall.
We use words like father, son and holy ghost…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending Jesus. You use ’em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very prayers I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a bible or put on a collar and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!
DA: Did you order the shredding of documents?
Cardinal: I did the job I was sent to do.
DA:Did you order the shredding of documents?
Cardinal: You’re goddamn right I did!!
Too awesome!
But is Jack Nicholson available for the repeat performance to deliver that memorable line.
WR,
How true it is…
I
Contact State Legislators and Share Inquirer Editorial
Should you wish to forward this e mail to your state senator or representative, the link below will get you to their e mail addresses…with a bit of effort. You can ‘copy’ this e mail, after adding your own thoughts at the top. It’s actually very easy, you bring up the legislator on your e mail and then just paste it on as many addresses as you wish.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/
Posted: Thu, Mar. 1, 2012, 7:10 AM
Inquirer Editorial
Church officials couldn’t shred the truth
With the deeply troubling disclosure that Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua ordered aides to shred a memo identifying 35 suspected predator priests, there’s no longer any question that Pennsylvania should give victims of long-ago abuse an avenue to have their day in court.
The revelations about Bevilacqua present a textbook illustration of what’s at stake in victims’ efforts to uncover the truth about the apparent cover-up of alleged abuse by clergy spanning decades. The cardinal died Jan. 31, on the eve of the sex-abuse trial of a former church administrator and two former parish priests.
Just as two Philadelphia grand juries concluded, Bevilacqua’s reported 1994 shredding directive, brought to light only last week, appears to confirm that there was a carefully orchestrated effort by Archdiocese of Philadelphia officials to shield predators.
Similarly, it has been revealed that Bevilacqua joined with other Pennsylvania bishops “to examine how the dioceses . . . can better protect their secret archives from civil-law discovery,” according to court records.
By hiding the truth from parishioners and police long after it was possible to prosecute alleged crimes, due to limitations statutes, the apparent church cover-up denied victims justice in the criminal courts.
Indeed, the conspiracy charges against Msgr. William J. Lynn, a top aide to Bevilacqua, and the counts being pursued against former priests James J. Brennan and Edward Avery for allegedly molesting a boy in the 1990s, are the exception. But victims would have another route to uncover the truth if they could file lawsuits under so-called civil-window legislation, which would relax the state’s statute of limitation for a specific period.
State Rep. Michael McGeehan (D., Phila.) has introduced a bill in Pennsylvania that mirrors the civil-window laws in California and Delaware. But Catholic officials continue to stymie Harrisburg’s efforts to act on the civil-window bill, with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput among its most vocal and vehement oppon
While church officials make the dubious claim that lawsuits could lead to parish closings and the like, sexual-abuse victims say their primary aim isn’t financial damages – but to uncover church records to expose the truth.
The Bevilacqua memo seems to be irrefutable proof that a cover-up not only occurred, but, in effect, will continue so long as the church’s battle against full disclosure continues.
Jerry, thanks! Are the hierarchy guys so clueless that they don’t realize that the pope will be monarch of nothing at all if he continues to de-modernize? This kind of nonsense might somehow “fly” in previous generations (with all due respect) but to the present generation, (my kids!)… a cult-like papal monarchy is an absurd joke –fitting of a SNL skit.
BTW- the only difference the new Mass wording meant to me was that I’d now need to drag out my dorky reading glasses if I want to keep up.. — Call it vanity, but it’s just way too much to ask!! (lol)
Joan- I’m sending that! Thanks.
Crystal, I have always said that these horrors were comitted by INDIVIDUALS, making INDIVIDUAL decisions, whether it be to abuse the child, transfer the alleged perpetrator w/o notification to the new parishioners, destruction of documents, provide legal counsel so that a leader and/or his institution can defend and perpetuate this illicit, criminal and vicious behavior.
This is the despicable part of it all……..INDIVIDUALS make these decisions and then they hide in the INSTITUTION that provides cover, legal counsel, financial support, etc. And, yes, if you are an INDIVIDUAL (whether an attorney, elected official, etc.) that, by your action or inaction, allow this criminal conduct to continue, then it is proper for these INDIVIDUALS to be held responsible for failing to protect our children.
Michael,
Thank you for this. Had a lightbulb moment as I was reading your post.
Michael, of course, you are absolutely right.
It seems that Cristal may have unintentionally inferred you were trying to focus more on the lawyers. Those of us who have followed for a long time your assiduous efforts on C4C know you (and I) want to collar everyone involved in this criminal conspiracy, with the hierarchy on the top of the list.
As a lawyer, I think you are justified in shining a light on the Philly AD’s lawyers. At a minimum, they have some serious explaining to do to Seth Williams and Judge Sarmina.
While in fairness we don’t have all the facts, there is already in the public domain enough to warrant a serious inquiry.
Michael,
I usually like your insights, but I disagree. If horrors are committed by a few individuals, then that’s what it is.
However,
– if they are committed by thousands of individuals to tens of thousands of children
– if the crimes are covered up by thousands of other individuals
– if it is handled consistently worldwide
then its organized crime.
If none of the other individual priests jump up and scream that this organized behavior goes against all that the religion stands for, then it isn’t even a church of God anymore.
And if God wanted you to think it was God’s church, this wouldn’t be happening this way.
A folder on my desktop reads, “Catholic Mafia” for a reason.
Patrick…the fact that it’s been handled consistently worldwide means it’s a criminal organization…pretty much sums it up.
If they’ve been one thing…it’s consistent. It’s been the question that I’ve asked catholics over and over again. “How did every single diocese know how to handle this immorally, criminally in exactly the same way?” They were schooled to do that way!
Maybe the laity need a horse head in their pew to believe it?
This thread has given me much to think about.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20120302_Priest_charged_with_patronizing_prostitute.html
Well the bar is now so low,my first thought was at least it didn’t involve a child.
Kathy you read my mind.
Michael, i do understand what you’re saying and completely agree with you.
–I just hate to think they’ll use the old “blame the lawyers” excuse…It’ll be too well-received by many Catholics who are too disgusted and maybe a tad lazy to sort the whole mess out. Their “blame the Psychologists” thing worked for me for years.
WR, positively clever/creative testimony above with the “Few Good Men” script above between AD and the Cardinal. Now, all we need is a YOU TUBE or SNL skit to get this story out there to the “younger generation” so they won’t be “duped” like so many of us have been (although I believe the younger generation is “on” to this debacle called the institutional church). And, SW, also clever your words “do the laity need a horse head in the pew'” moment. (Aside: > this blog just keeps getting better and better!). Thanks to all who make it so.
thanks to this blog, I’m looking forward on Sun. to watching 60 min. covering dublin’s cardinal martin… Just starting to read a bit about him. Ireland’s structures and systems being different from US’, I find it hard to analyze at a glance.
Anybody here have any strong opinions about his performance? Any links to recommend? i love this speech – esp. at 11:18secs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo5MXrqbDeA
Is Martin at present, the only irish cardinal speaking openly and frankly on the subject? Is he really being 100% honest –or just trying to get his flock back in their pews with money for the collection basket? How has he managed not to have been removed by rome yet? Do we have any US cardinals like him – ?
Dear Crystal, to answer your final question, there are/were NO US Cardinals speaking out as strongly as this Irish Cardinal Martin. The American Cardinals are simply rubber stamps of the Vatican. None of whom complained when JP2 sent a letter through CD Ratzinger to all the bishops of the world to NOT go to civil authorities when a sexual abuse crime is reported to them. These same bishops jumped at the opportunity to restrict contraceptive use in insurance plans, but, no bishop spoke out against the use of Inter-vaginal Sonography which is a humiliating procedure for any woman.
Theresa, I have followed Ireland’s abuse crisis closely for two years, including frequent e-mail exchanges with journalists and survivor groups. While Martin talks a good game and is better than the rest of the Irish bishops, he is still one of them. In a field of midgets, even a short guy looks tall.
Martin has had long service in Rome and knows how to play the PR game better than most. Survivors are not as keen on him as some in the media.
Prime Minister Enda Kenny, on the other hand, is in a class by himself–courageous and authentic.
Dear Jerry, your knowledge of the Irish tragedy, and of Martin, is helpful to those of us not following it as closely. Your input is masterful, and, always informative. Thanks for your presence on this blog.