Click here to read: “Priests’ lawyers seek delay in sex-abuse trial,” by John P. Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 24, 2012
Excerpt: “On Friday, the judge agreed to privately review 12 confidential church memos that Lynn’s defenders say could show that his actions were guided by archdiocesan attorneys and prove his innocence.
Lawyers for the church say the records are protected by attorney-client privilege.”
Catholics4Change 
“Sarmina deferred ruling on the issue until Monday. But the request highlighted the significance of Avery’s unexpected plea and how it could shape or even halt the landmark trial.” (John P. Martin -Inquirer Staff Writer)
I have a bad feeling that somehow the AD is going to come out ahead in the whole mess when it’s all over, and many of us will be disappointed.
If that does happen, I’m out! I don’t have anymore energy to waste on the RCC. I’ll simply place them in the same category (not caring what they do) as I do the Church of Scientology, or any other such institution. If one remains a member, and as a member, that organization takes advantage of you, you have it coming.
In short I will no longer concern myself with the internal operations of the RCC. I’m tied, and tired of it.
Drwho13,
I’ve watched the tide ebb and flow…small victories and major defeats for victims. Maybe it’s my pessimism, but even if there’s a guilty plea and time sentenced…the victims still lost. I’m not hanging my hopes on an outcome in a trial…because when the dust settles, the Catholic Church is still in a mess. They still have the same corrupt leadership, children still aren’t safe, and they likely still have a laity that won’t know what to do.
I’m praying(and acting) for truth to be exposed, for justice to be served (in the form of lengthy jail sentences for the abusers and for everyone who knew and did nothing), for legislation to be changed.
The AD may very well get the outcome they were hoping for…(we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it)…but they sold their souls to do it.
We need to keep praying for and placing pressure on Judge Sarmina and DA Williams…not to succumb to the influence of the strong arm of the rcc.
Drwho, you said, “In short I will no longer concern myself with the internal operations of the RCC. I’m tied, and tired of it.”
That’s exactly what they are hoping for. It’s what they wanted the victims to do too…go away, give up, leave them alone. Where would we be if everyone had given up? Rest, take a break…but commit to not let evil prevail.
I believe the victims.
drwho13..I’m so demoralized too, and tempted to do the same as you. I’d love to turn and leave it all behind… however, I feel we were called to stay tuned and to bear witness to this injustice, and to learn from it, and fight against it, and to tell the whole truth of it to our grandchildren.
I came upon these words from Amnesty International’s “In Plain Sight” which make it harder for me to walk away …
“…For those children who experienced rape and sexual abuse, physical abuse … it is vital that their experiences be recognised as grave human rights violations and breaches of law. ….there were those who sought to minimise the horrific reality of the abuse inflicted upon so many of our most marginalised and vulnerable
children. ..to dismiss systemic and barbaric cruelty..as the norm ..of the time….Such voices must not be permitted to rewrite or diminish this history, neither now nor in the future, ..
Systemic and repeated rape isn’t just child sexual abuse
and systemic and ritualised beatings are not merely corporal punishment; they amount to torture…(it) must be properly named… But the focus cannot be purely on the past, as if this history has no relevance for our society now. We must consider the degree to which this history reveals vital truths about the nature of our society
today.
The past only becomes history once we have
addressed it, learnt from it and made the changes
necessary to ensure that we do not repeat mistakes
and wrongdoing.”
Don’t do that drwho13, remain standing as a sign of contradiction.
I don’t know what percentage of suicide related deaths there are in the particular AD, but consider the mothers who lost their sons and daughters. The families will be paled into oblivion as with those who were abused.
America has George Bush jnr, to thank for the way High Courts deal with the church, recalling how he made admissable Diplomatic Immunity when the Vatican was being called to account. Not to mention the Catholic vote when seeking re-election.
Remember the picture of Mary on the coffe table when being interviewed with his family.
L. Newington, thanks. Here is a link to the Skull and Bones propaganda piece with the photo of Mary on the coffee table of the Emperor Nero. http://catholicexchange.com/%E2%80%9Cpray-boldly-asking-god-for-a-sign%E2%80%9D/
Kathy Kane responded on 3/23 “As I said in a previous comment, some clergy will speak on this, some will give inspiring homilies.” Don’t hold your breath! Clergy are beholden to the system for their sustenance. To speak out is to jeopardize their standing. No upward mobility, (vertical) no support from their peers (horizontal).
Clergy are “under the sexual abuse gun” and demoralized. The prophetic impulse is nonexistent. Priests are intimidated by the hierarchy. After all, the system vetted them to be complaint, passive, and succeeded.
“Inspiring homilies?” More likely, innocuous homilies! The inquisition is alive and active in the RC.
I was informed recently by my diocesan chancellor when requesting faculties to serve a disadvantaged community in another diocese that they should be aware that I had written articles and blog entries that are on the internet and found through a Google search! (Even though the other diocese didn’t request this.)
Dossiers are the RC. Let’s see how fast this gets back to my diocese.
Hold your breath? Hold your opinions!
I agree innocuous. My point is there are priests who do address this issue from the pulpit and often they end up making everyone feel better -as if the problem is solved or can be solved with prayer. It is usually involves three themes .Speaking of the “evil” , acknowledging people’s anger and then ending with some form of forgiveness. Prayer is always important but prayer alone does not protect children or help victims.
Speaking out to protect children is jeopardizing a priest’s standing? I have even heard a priest say that he worried about speaking out also, because it would jeopardize his position in the priesthood, and at his older age he worried about being removed and having no place to live, no way to pay for food and such.
I would gladly live in a cardboard box in Southwest Philly if it came at the cost of protecting a child from be raped!
Just keep trotting along thinking about you’re own well-being. The hell with the kid who’s getting sexually abused, right? You’ve got more important things to worry about, like staying in good standing with your brothers who molest and rape children and cover it up. Cheers to you, I guess! You certainly are an inspiration to child abusers everywhere.
Rich I have known laity who have left jobs or relationships because of ethics and it has cost them both financially and socially -somehow they made the choice and these “ethic concerns’ did not involve crimes against children!
Nothing and I mean nothing could keep me quiet in the face of crimes against children…. To speak out is to jeopardize their standing..what standing? Standing amongst each other?
Priests are intimidated by the hierarchy – okay if I caved everytime I was intimidated by someone or something,what kind of person would I be? When I have “allowed” myself to be intimidated by someone -I own it .People can do whatever that may be intimidating to me…if I feed into that …ultimately my response is my decision and my fault. It would be nice to put all the blame of this on the hierarchy -it can make clergy use their helplessness as an excuse for inaction.
Father, if jobs in the real world could be found for priests who speak up, do you think more priests would? Or put another way, is it an economic threat that keeps priests compliant/silent?
I say this as one who housed ex priests, and found them jobs?
(Fr.) Emmett Coyne,
You stated that “Clergy are beholden to the system for their sustenance. To speak out is to jeopardize their standing. No upward mobility, (vertical) no support from their peers (horizontal).”
That is verbatim what I experienced when I was in seminary and religious life in the 90’s.
“The inquisition is alive and active in the RC.” Right on the mark again! Most laypeople have no idea what takes place inside the organization, and just how INTIMIDATING it is. The place is full of thugs!
I was not being heroic when I left religious life. I simply had a 20 year career (with retirement) before I went in, thus I had a luxury that most in the Church do not. I could tell them to kiss my A$$, before I would kiss their ring.
How many laypeople would tell their boss “where to go” if they thought they might end up homeless the next day?
“…I have known laity who have left jobs or relationships because of ethics and it has cost them both financially and socially -somehow they made the choice and these “ethic concerns’ did not involve crimes against children!”
Kathy, these people are Saints, e.g., John Fisher, Thomas More (those kind of Saints). Most people are not at that level. “What would you do(?)” can only be answered when actually faced with the situation. Many people can “talk a good game,” but VERY FEW can actually deliver.
dr who, I don’t in any way doubt the the intimidation techniques -I believe you. But we are talking about crimes against children. I am sorry that is where I draw the line and say that nothing could keep me silent. Might I look the other way about some theft or something if it was going to make my life uncomfortable ..maybe ..I have not been in that situation. But protecting children,standing up for them is a knee jerk reaction to me,I would already be out on the street homeless before I realized my actions put me in jeopardy.
The other point is I am not asking or telling anyone to leave the priesthood ,not my point at all. With all the eyes of the nation on the Philadelphia Archdiocese right now would be the perfect time for any priest to come forward,help the victims,take a stand. I understand ,even in the reports,how priests who tried to do the right thing,were often punished while the abusive priests were somehow rewarded/protected. Talk about a twisted,depraved system for someone trying to do the right thing. But now the crimes that occurred in Philadelphia are in the national spotlight and priests still run from us when they see us at the vigils -you would have to see it to believe it. So I understand, but sorry they could be doing more.
drwho, My involvement in this has cost me financially and has the potential to do so in the future. If you want to contact me offline- I will explain. I also want you to understand that my kids are in catholic school, I am constantly in situations with clergy and other Catholics…I don’t care, I don’t care what they think of me. When Monica Yant Kinney first did her article on C4C last March, the night before it came out ,I realized that our efforts with C4C would either be a success or an epic failure. If it failed and laity did not get involved ,I would be the social pariah for the rest of my Catholic life, and even harder, so would my kids. It is very easy 300,000 site visits later,it wasn’t as easy in the beginning when it was just Susan and me -two angry Catholic mothers saying -ENOUGH -drawing our line in the sand. There is a whole other side of C4C that people will never see. Posting an article and making comments account for about .0000001% of what we do. There have been situations we have been involved that we never imagined or wanted but are necessary and I would not change a thing one year later. I am far more a sinner than a saint, but I have learned that I have the courage to stand up for children and the courage to stand up to men who claim to act in God’s name …wouldn’t change a thing.
Kathy, just wanted to comment a bit on your comment to drwho13.
About not caring what others think of you, but protecting kids WAS the issue.
Until folks can get to that place of independence and clarity, the Church will have far more power than it’s behaviour deserves.
WHEN folks get to that place, the power shifts, truth is paramount, good things can happen. My prayer for C4C folks is that the more they learn about clergy molestation and cover up, the closer they get to that independent, adult place. You and Susan have helped a lot of us to get there, too! Many thanks, Joan
Father, was struck by your vertical and horizontal analogy relative to clergy silence.
ISINT that the configuration of the cross?
And as for clergy being demoralized. Who has been more demoralized in this than the victims themselves. Children whose bodies were sexually violated and now as adults encountered the same ‘thugs and bullying” that you speak of. My God if they can find it in themselves to speak up and take on a system that allowed perpetrators to abuse them and then betrayed them over and over again..none of us, clergy or laity has any type of reason for inaction that can compare to what the victims have encountered on their journeys. When I attend the vigils I go to stand with people who have been abused and abandoned and selfishly I go there for my myslef also. I leave each and every vigil having heard a story from a victim or family member that defies any act of courage that I myself may ever carry out. I leave realizing that any type of insult thrown my way,financial loss,or any other negative affect my involvement on this issue has caused in my life ,is a walk in the park compared to what our vicims have lived. Family conflict, loss, of income, lifetime of tortured moments and speaking up when no one will listen, that is the reality of many of our victims. Any risk any clergy or laity are willing to take ,pales in comparison to that reality.
Kathy,
I said; “What would you do(?) can only be answered when actually faced with the situation. Many people can ‘talk a good game,’ but VERY FEW can actually deliver.”
Kathy, my comment was directed to the Catholic population in general, certainly NOT to you specifically.
You said, “drwho, My involvement in this has cost me financially and has the potential to do so in the future.” Kathy, I have never doubted your conviction or commitment at any time! You and Susan are the modern day Ss John Fisher(s) and Thomas More(s).
But, I stand by my position; many (MOST) people can “talk a good game,” but VERY FEW can actually deliver. If they could, the Church would not be in position it is in today, and we would not be concerned with do nothing pew Catholics.
drwho, you said, “But, I stand by my position; many (MOST) people can “talk a good game,” but VERY FEW can actually deliver. If they could, the Church would not be in position it is in today, and we would not be concerned with do nothing pew Catholics.”
Exacly!
Many did what the priest did…follow their hierarchy instead of Him.
If I keep doing what the “superiors” tell me, I’ll get to heaven, right?
If believers actually followed Him, they wouldn’t be in this mess.
drwho, no worries, I didn’t take your comment personally at all. I think we are also operating under the illusion that the priests are all sitting in the rectories just bursting at the seams to do the right thing and are afraid. ….not really. The priest association was formed first and foremost for the interests of the priests. I have no problem with priest’s having an association or wanting policies in place etc….but really? In the midst of crimes against children maybe a three fold mission would have been better child protection,assistance to victims and the interests of priests. I know a priest in Boston did something similar to this in 2002. I have sent emails to priests about child protection and assistance to victims that go completely unanswered. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking silence is always because of fear,sometimes people just don’t care.
You’re right Kathy in saying “I think we are also operating under the illusion that the priests are all sitting in the rectories just bursting at the seams to do the right thing and are afraid. ….not really. The priest association was formed first and foremost for the interests of the priests.”
If you’ll allow me one more time. Go to:
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104226/rampant-misconduct
Drwho13, my take on the delaying of Lynn’s trial to find an ‘untainted’ jury pool, due to recent Avery confession, is that who in the future pool would not also be ‘tainted’ with the Avery info.
Sounds like a belaying defense tactic. Judge Sarmina can and perhaps will ask present jurors if the data would affect the jurors judgement. And excuse accordingly.
As to the Judge reviewing those 12 documents that the AD wants kept secret and the defense wants revealed, which perhaps indicate the AD’s attorney direction to Lynn….I think it was an AD atty Welsch who pointed out that PA law does not allow the ‘attorneys made me do it’ defense in these matters, so, so what?
I am cautiously optimistic that the trial will begin, Monday…
Joan, I thought the same thing….who could they get on the jury that would not also be “tainted?” I am cautiously optimistic, based on Judge Sarmina’s past rulings, that the show will go on Monday or that, as you said, she may just questions jurors and excuse if she deems it necessary. We’ll see.
Apparently, the jurors were advised by the Judge not to read about the case,
See this link. : http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=news%20reports%20on%20avery%20lynn%20trial%20philly&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBwQqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5g6eb-IV3-v7MXHxskt0kTCoTfbSw%3FdocId%3Dcf5e512afb694c5f970951dd7b0fa9de&ei=i-ttT66wLIiViALl5fn9BA&usg=AFQjCNGLD5vOvJWUwMz-rg89neOqrNVGcg
The jury was seated early this month and advised not to read about the case. Jury selection took weeks given the sensitive sexual and religious issues involved.
See link noted in post
they should just let him go and put the people on trial that made him do it,after all he doesnt know right from wrong
The good that may come of this is the publicity. Whatever happens the Philly AD will have lost some credibility. Please God it will cause more and more people–those who might have been unwilling to question in the past–to think about what their clergy–and their hierarchy– may be doing. Maybe all the negative publicity will cause even apathetic RCC people to wake up and question how the whole operation is run. To me that is the least we can hope for as an outcome.
How much scandal can RCC people take without asking for real reform. How many reports of sick, perverted behavior must people read about and hear before they begin to realize that the system is sick and perverted.
The real and hard question remains: HOW can the RCC be reformed?
More on the trial, from a prosecutorial perspective with a national episcopal flavor:
“The accusations against the three men read like many other church sex abuse coverups, in which priests accused of wrongdoing were shuffled from one parish to another.
With a high-up official in the dock for allegedly shielding perpetrators of sex abuse, the case threatens to widen the legal onslaught over a scandal that has already bled the Catholic Church of credibility and money.
“If these ranks of middle managers from which the bishops are drawnif this really starts to be scrutinized, the people who have become bishops are going to be caught in the web,” said Terry McKiernan, from the website bishop-accountability.org, which tracks reported abuses. “That’s a mess that the church in the U.S. does not want opened.”
Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Landmark+priest+trial+begins/6353304/story.html#ixzz1q3hIMFAY
One of these days the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is going to be put under scrutiny too don’t worry, the Lords timing is always perfect.
The many familiar faces climbing up the ecclesiastical ladder with clouds over their heads, in the meantime, how offensive it must be for the victims/survivors and their families.
Somehow for the politicans and many of the laity, they have been either desensitized, their heads in the sand, or afraid of repurcussions.
drwho13; I have the same feeling. I was dismayed by Jerry Slevin’s comments yesterday, because I fear that he may be correct.
My heart goes out to the victims, and survivors who are continually abused by this church. I am disgusted by the sheep who say that they are out for the money.
It seems to me that there will never be justice for those who have been harmed. As a result, each person has to decide for themselves how to deal with this horror, and the lack of accountability.
I don’t believe in the notion of the good priests. In my view, there are no longer any good priests. If some think that they are, prove it to us by taking a stand against this injustice.
I caught the act of some of the priests in court last spring, and I was struck by their arrogance. It is of course anecdotal evidence, but it appeared as if they truly believe that they are above reproach, and that the rules don’t apply to them. Very sad. And what about the nuns? I haven’t heard much about their group. Are we to believe that they heard no evil, and saw no evil?
It appeared that Joe Okonski was about to stand up and testify to what he saw at Anselm’s, but he changed his mind. Me thinks they changed it for him.
I joined a few protests last spring when the Grand Jury report revealed that nothing had changed from the previous report. It seemed to me that no one cared.
I met several victims whose stories just break your heart. I met several great people with the courage to stand on the sidewalk and suffer the slings and the arrows of the so-called good catholics. To those intrepid souls I tip my cap.
I realize now, a year later that you cannot fight these people with reason or jurisprudence. They are not playing by the same rules. They have an unlimited source of funds, and the raw ruthlessness to bludgeon anyone who gets in their way. It has been stated many times, but it remains true; they only react when their money and their power is threatened.
They are in the process of crushing SNAP under the weight of their own internal records. I read where they never expected the church to come after them this way, but that is exactly what they do; they went after the victims with the same demonic resolve.
My impression of SNAP probably falls somewhere between V4J and Pat, but they have been effective at shining a light on the bugs in the night. Why else would the church want them shut down.
I have been reading the posts here since the inception of the site, and I sympathize with those of you who have kids in the schools, and for the basic premise of the site for affecting change from within the church.
Personally, I will never practice catholicism again, and I am the better for it. I will never refer to anyone as father, or brother, or sister who is not in fact my father, or brother or sister. My wife and I pulled our son from catholic school several years ago, and he has had a better experience in the public school system. To those who may be contemplating such a move, the first step is the most difficult.
At the very least, there is life after leaving the church. As someone has stated, you do feel a certain amount of pride to have the courage to walk away from such dysfunction.
My sister was abused and my dad sides with the church. Now that is effective indoctrination. It is also very sad. He and my godmother have very strong defensive feelings for the church, but they admit that they do not watch the news reports, nor have they read the Grand Jury Reports. How do you combat such ignorance?
The church, by the way, cherishes such blind loyalty. It is the the lifeblood of the course of action which they have undertaken since the first accusation was brought to their attention who knows how many years ago.
My sense is that the pedophiles and abusers sought out the priesthood when they realized that they would be protected. They were correct. They have been protected like no other group of criminals in history. As we know, thousands have escaped justice, and it continues on Filbert Street, in our very own big little town of Philadelphia in the spring of 2012.
Thanks Jerry for breaking the inevitable news to me.
Jack that’s an exceedingly thoughtful and generous personal sharing.
With which I agree. I do hope though, that you will continue to share your insights on C4C.
I think that many who have made your decision (30,000,000,000 US catholics) will understand and appreciate your views.
Thank you, Joan
Oops it’s 30 million Catholics who have left the US church…got a bit carried away with zeros!
Terrific commentary Jack. Your words could be my words.
What a great post. How disappointing about Fr. Okanski -maybe someday a person of his caliber will find his voice and some courage and make a difference.
Regretfully, I agree about the nuns. They hid behind their vow of obedience and said or did nothing of any significance–and fully participated in the system and cycle of abuse. Shame on them.
Thanks, Jack. I didn’t mean to dismay you. I just think we need to realistically assess the oppostion if we are to defeat them. It is inevitable, yes. We will defeat them.
I concur completely in the analysis of SW, Joan and other srong women I have met here. I would love to be the fly on the wall if SW, Joan, Susan, Chrystal or et al. had a one-on-one debate with Chaput. He hasn’t seen “nothin’ yet”, as we say in Brooklyn.
Let’s not get discouraged. Chaput is on the run and we cannot let up now.
I hope all of you encourage Susan to lead the ‘”tee shirt'” parade. Think of it. Thousands of Catholics showing up unannounced at Mass with “I believe the victims !” tee shirts. It would quickly snowball. Jesus would be proud of our witness!
Susan may be overworked here. Please consider sending her a donation so she can get the tee shirt parade going and even maybe hire a part-time assistant. We cannot give up now!
Jerry, I just offered a donation for bumper stickers, but like the tee shirt idea as well!
Think maybe donations to SNAP are very much in order, as well.
I really liked Crystal’s In Plain Sight quote, too.
I have a lot of confidence in C4C, real people in real time asking tough and very real questions, making tough and very real comments…Think the Holy Spirit is active!
Joan, thanks. I suspect you “over-donate” to your credit. I favor the tee shirt to the bumper sticker. If worn to Mass, it sends a direct message to the many other Catholics on the fence or with their heads in the sand. But everything helps!
Jerry, I don’t think it is possible to ‘over donate’ anymore than it is possible to surround children with too much love and support!
What about Tee shirts AND bumper stickers which carry a message wherever you go?
I like the idea of maybe some type of pin. We wear our justice4pakids on jackets,coats,whatever the season we wear it and it always generates discussion. Maureen recently went to a breakfast where one of our members frequents and he had given them to staff there and she was amazed to see everyone wearing our j4pakids pins.
With all due respect to Kathy, pins are nice, but small, unobtrusive and often ambiguous. If we really want to get the attention of pew Catholics and parish priests , as so many here say they want to, let’s have the courage to wear “I believe the victims!” tee shirts.
We can go to Mass in small groups to support each other, for those who hesitate to go it alone. Fine, but let’s stop talking and start acting up!
Chaput assumes we will not play “hardball” like he and NY’s Dolan often do with victims. If we continue to act like sheep, we will continue to be treated like sheep. It’s just that simple.
If we don’t have the courage to wear a tee shirt and stand up for the victims effectively, then we should stop telling victims we will support them.
Pins and prayers are nice, but so far they seem to have made little difference.
My idea about the pins is because I have seen how they have worked for J4pakids. People can wear them no matter what the social situation or appropriate attire. We have House reps and staff that wear the J4pakids in their daily work around the halls of Harrisburg,business men who wear the pins on their lapels. I know the conversations the pins have opened up and even contacts and supporters gained through wearing the pins. I don’t think shirts are a bad idea, just can’t wear them in all everyday situations. I would wear a tshirt to the vigils-that would be great ,we carry signs but t shirts too. Has everyone seen the tee shirt we already offer under the purchase link at the very top of the page?
You guys, I am an equal opportunity supporter, pins are fine so are tee shirts, but cars travel all over Gods little waiting room…have you ever calculated how many cars(and their bumper stickers) you pass on your way to work, school, shopping, or weekend stuff?
Probably not, but the political pros have which is why you will see an abundance of Romney and Obama bumper stickers this fall.
If just a 1000 Stop Child Sex Abuse bumper stickers with a clear Catholics4Change logo traveled all over Philly in the next few months, their impact would heighten the pins and tee shirts considerably. And a modified version could be adapted to the SOLs issue.
Take a page out of Chaputs book…who used postcards like a lost art form in Denver.
Kathy. pins and C4C tee shirts and even vigils, haven’t changed many minds to date, as best I can tell.
A bold tee shirt worn to Mass in church with a simple statement (and no C4C logo which would distract from the simple staement), that would work. We would all have different levels of discomfort about wearing them, but that is because they will make a provocative statement and get a reaction.
We are right. Survivors are still suffering. Kids are still being abused.Half measures haven’t worked so far, and in my mind are never likely to work.
To hell, I say, with pew potatoes who would be discomforted–they should be discomforted. Worrying about the discomfort of those who just stick their heads in the sand, should not trouble us in the least.
We must stop being so hesitant to act up. My view anyway.
Jack, I may be the lone voice in this way of thinking but I actually believe no matter what happens in the next few weeks with the trial plea bargains,vs verdicts from a jury,it is the beginning of further charges up the ladder. Susan and I have met some really interesting people over the last year -people who have been far closer to the situation than we will ever be. There is definitely a feeling that this particular trial and evidence just recently introduced opens up a whole new area of charges/indictments for others. I will be upset if plea deals with light sentences happen for Brennan and Lynn ,I want this on the front page of the news for the next few months so that it is there for all to see,but even if pleas happen -I don’t think this is the end – not by a long shot.
Kathy, a few months ago, I would have been thrilled with Avery’s admissions implicating Lynn, AND with Judge Sarmina’s allowing those, I think 26 other abuse situations into evidence.
My hope then was that for the first time in the US an Episcopal manager was caught passing on pedophiles. And that data would be a huge wake up call for the other 193 dioceses in the nation that prosecutorial passes were a thing of the past.
NOW, and in light of your hopeful remarks, it appears possible that a whole new area of charges and indictments are perhaps going to happen!
It couldn’t happen to a more deserving diocese. And I want to thank you particularly for your consistent management of us on C4C.
I doubt if you remember this, but somewhere in July, when we had just returned from what was supposed to be a six month stay in our other home, due to serious health problems of my husband I was just fussing around on my I Pad, while caring for him and found the intriguing blog C4C.
I had never blogged and unfortunately posted a comment relating to something Fr Chis had said WITHOUT reading some victims comments. After posting, I went back, read all the comments and was embarrassed. A blogger who no longer blogs here chewed me up one side and down the other and while harsh, he had a point.
It was you Kathy that intervened, kindly pointed out that this new blogger was just asking some questions and that C4C was open to everyone. I posted an apology, and have been here ever since. I would not be here without your basic decency! Thaks, a lot. Joan
You aren’t alone in that thought Kathy.
Joan, thank you for your kind words and I do remember that comment -I believe no one should be attacked for asking questions of each other.
I think so much goes on in criminal cases -sometimes things we will never know. I realize that politics and a whole lot of other things can come into play but I think the amount of time the DA’s office has put into investigating clergy sex abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese speaks for something. If Lynn and Brennan walk with light sentences, I know more will come from that.
For clarity , I think further charges up the ladder in NO way excuses Lynn’s responsibility in this situation.
Kathy,
I agree that further charges up the ladder in no way excuses Lynn’s responsibility. I also know that obedience to those further up the ladder is fundamental to the culture of the priesthood.
In the weeks and months ahead, “good” priests will witness how the their culture’s modus operandi is unacceptable in our courts of law and in the “cultures” and minds of good, decent and moral people. You would think that its perverse and cultish nature would compel the clergy to inquire into its culture and initiate reform. But there is no doubt in my mind that, regardless of what the trial exposes in Philly, the hierarchy will proceed functioning according to its traditions. The lack of leadership is shocking.
When its all said and done, how will the “good” priests respond? I fear they will as they are now.
Jack, there are, but they get squashed. The Australian Franciscan friar, who was left with the option of either living with the mother of the child in her second trimester which was unacceptable to her, or runing away and joining another church, which would have killed his spirit.
The Provincial of today, and Vicar Provincial at the time, still has the rescript on his desk,signed and sealed by his predecessor, which could still by given posthumously as it was never rescinded and becoming his dying wish.
Angela Ryan CSB can verify that, much to the chargrin of many.
so true Elizabeth T…. any publicity is good.
About asking for reform… been there and done that –answer’s always “no”. Maybe it’s just too far gone to be reformed.–Like a car which is declared “totaled” after a wreck.
I want a Church that believes the victims. I want a Church that loves me as much as I love Her.
I want a Church that welcomes everyone whether straight or gay – rich or poor. I want a place that I feel safe and my children are safe… I want the church that I thought I had.
I have some relics of long dead saints. Very highly rated ones, too. I know the bishops are always fearful of relics, so maybe carrying a few of the bones around will give them a taste of their own medicine.
Mark, I have to admit you’re a hoot, one needs to have a sense of humour!
I suppose locks of hair taken from one who is deceased can be classed as relics too, saint or not.
My Mom’s memorial service was this morning. After 11 years of not having stepped foot inside of a Catholic Church I sat in the front row during the service and stared at the floor thinking, “This could be any floor in any building anywhere in the world.” That’s how I dealt with being in that place. I didn’t look at the priest, the walls, or anyone in the congregation. I didn’t even want to be there and my Mom told me she understood if I decided I would not enter the church.
After the service, we held a luncheon for the 80+ people who showed up to pay their respects to my mother, a niece of the late Cardinal of New York, John J. O’Connor. When the luncheon was over, I left and several very good friends, all but two being victims, went back to my house for a 3pm interview I did with Susan Candiotti of CNN.
On Friday afternoon I was contacted by a producer with CNN who wanted to do a segment on Sunday night featuring a preview of the upcoming trial of Msgr. Lynn (and others) in Philadelphia, which is scheduled to start on Monday. After a phone conversation on Friday afternoon that lasted more than 2 hours, the CNN producer told me he would “move mountains to come down to my house, from NYC, to interview me.” I instead set it up for today after my Mom’s service. It was fitting. I thought, “maybe my Mom is looking down on me right now.” Before she died, she told me “Forget about the family and what they think. You go do what’s right. Go get justice. Go protect kids.” Maybe it was the perfect time to honor my mother by standing up for what I believe in and speaking out for all the victims whose voices have been silenced. I hope I made her proud.
I also hope that my words during this interview may be able to inspire courage for other silenced victims to use their voices and speak out. I hope parents listen to and heed my warnings and protect their children, and listen to their children, and to trust “no one” when it comes to the safety and well-being of their child and other children. I hope I made an impact today to save other children from abuse.
The interview is scheduled to air in the timeslot of 7pm on Sunday night, again at 10pm, and at an unknown time on Monday on CNN.
Oh Rich,where to begin. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions of your Mother’s service,being in a Church after such a long time and then ending the day with the interview. I am so happy you heard those words from your Mother. You are an unbelievable advocate for children . “Go protect the kids’….you will.
Do you know if the interview will air during a specific CNN program ? I will have Susan post this info so we all can watch.
Rich,
I’ll be watching!
Wonderful, wise words from your Mom too. A great way to honor her.
I don’t mean to point you out as an example Rich…but just being who you are is a gift.
Who should we listen to? Courageous victims speaking truth with this on their mind, “I hope I made an impact today to save other children from abuse.” In the face of loss, sitting in a church that is nothing but triggers, and going through an interview…sheesh, Rich…what it requires to do any one of those things.
Contemplate what the moral leadership is doing this weekend. Conspiring ways to lie in court on Monday? Are any of their thoughts about protecting children?
Thank you Rich for bringing things into focus.
I believe the victims.
God bless you Rich. There is nothing stronger than a mother’s love for her child. Your mother is surely with you today. There have been many posts on this site that have brought me to tears in the past year. Today once again, after reading your post, the tears are here. May you be embraced by the love of your mother as you deal with her passing; and may she forever guide you through your journey as you raise your voice in support of all victims everywhere. I will be tuning in tonight.
Donna
Rich… your posts here have already made such a impact. I am so sorry for all that you have been though. Your courage to come forward and share your story keep all of us grounded in knowing who we are advocating for… thank you for your presence here.
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be watching tonight.
Your doing a good thing Rich.
V4J, God bless you. I’ll be watching.
V4J I’ll bet your mom is watching over you, and I bet she likes what she sees! And we will be watching too, Sunday night!
Thanks guys! All I know is the interview will air sometime after 7pm. The entire segment will not be focused only on me, but on the upcoming trial. CNN just wanted to interview a victim from Philly, who has been following the trial and can talk a little bit about the affects of abuse and what “our lives” are like, and what those victims, of the 4 scumbags might be feeling right now.
God Bless you V4J. Your strength and bravery is an inspiration to me. Your mom was so right…”Go get justice. Go protect kids”. Please let us know the time ASAP. I will ask everyone I know to watch.
The interview is scheduled to air in the timeslot of 7pm on Sunday night, again at 10pm, and at an unknown time on Monday on CNN.
I can wait to see you on CNN, Rich! Thank you!
Thanks for that Mark, I never usually refer to anything I can’t find a reference too, a credibility thing I suppose. But definately recalled seeing that on the television, hoping someone else would remember.
I certainly have reference to Condoleesa Rice being approached [leaned upon in other words], by the Papal Secretary of State on the fear of the Vatican being called to account on abuse in America.
First segment set to air at 5:25pm on CNN. Just got a call from the producer.
Saw it. Good job!