Click here to read: “Catholic school gives student the boot over court-ordered ankle monitor,” by Mensah M. Dean, Daily News Staff Writer, Jan. 22, 2014
Excerpt:
“Chad was ordered by a Juvenile Court judge to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet as part of his sentence for a December arrest. Lynn, whose child-endangerment conviction was overturned on appeal last month, also was ordered to wear an ankle bracelet as a term of his release from prison.
But the Archdiocese’s responses to both court orders have been as different as night and day.”
Editor’s Note:
Kathy and I don’t disagree with the the decision regarding the student. However, we believe the same logic should be applied consistently in the interest of child safety and the students’ mental well being. There is a school on the grounds of Msgr. Lynn’s current residence. There is an impact to them seeing a priest in an ankle bracelet.
Chad was ordered by a Juvenile Court judge to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet as part of his sentence for a December arrest. Lynn, whose child-endangerment conviction was overturned on appeal last month, also was ordered to wear an ankle bracelet as a term of his release from prison.
But the Archdiocese’s responses to both court orders have been as different as night and day.
Chad was ordered by a Juvenile Court judge to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet as part of his sentence for a December arrest. Lynn, whose child-endangerment conviction was overturned on appeal last month, also was ordered to wear an ankle bracelet as a term of his release from prison.
But the Archdiocese’s responses to both court orders have been as different as night and day.
Chad was ordered by a Juvenile Court judge to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet as part of his sentence for a December arrest. Lynn, whose child-endangerment conviction was overturned on appeal last month, also was ordered to wear an ankle bracelet as a term of his release from prison.
But the Archdiocese’s responses to both court orders have been as different as night and day.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140122_Catholic_school_gives_student_the_boot_over_court-ordered_ankle_monitor.html#Vgm2vpvJWbBhZ5de.99
I think the fair thing to do would be to have the parishes and schools be ankle bracelet free zones. When the bar keeps being lowered of course people will use it to point out treatment that may seem unfair.
The Archdiocese would probably say that technically no children at the parish are seeing Msgr Lynn because he is confined to the rectory…can you imagine when you were a kid knowing that there was a priest wearing an ankle bracelet living in the rectory? Honestly can you imagine?
Aside from the Msgr Lynn comparison. I have much more of a concern about Fr Paul being left in the parish for a year while being investigated for child sex abuse than a student wearing an ankle bracelet. Not a big fan of any of the scenarios in this situation but a priest being investigated and information withheld from parents tops my safety concerns .
Same concern I have as a parent Kathy.
But, this is where youth learn about some unfortunate Catholic rules…things like girls who get pregnant are expelled, but the father of the baby isn’t. Image.
Ankle bracelet on a student…”looks” bad for their student body. They’ll call it a “distraction,” but it’s another issue of image. Do they expel the students who get caught drinking at an underage party on the weekend? Since they aren’t wearing their Scarlett letter, (ankle bracelet), do they get to stay in school? What crime threshold is it for Catholics? Child rape and the enabling of it…a total pass. A teen in trouble with the law who has to wear an ankle bracelet…nope. We can’t have that!!!!
Always with the crooked little lines.
Kathy,
In the Fr. Paul situation is simple as WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU. In the comparison between this young man (who was no danger to students) and FR. Lynn is simple as WHAT’s GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS NOT GOOD FOR THE GANDER.
There are only two feelings about this latest decision from the Archdiocese, you can either be angered or have uncontrollable laughter.
Can you guess the feeling I’m having ?
I’m all for ankle bracelets on offending priests. I wish they’d put them on offending bishops. Along with the ankle bracelets, I’d enforce their presence at parish churches and schools. I can’t imagine a more concrete way to end clericalism and infantile priestly fantasies and spread the truth of the abuse of children.
I’m trying to picture this Kate. It would bring home the point, wouldn’t it?
The fact that the AD is hitting the press with continual controversial issues is making me weary.
The conflicting decisions about wear someone can or cannot wear an ankle bracelet story is so ludicrous that sometimes you do have to laugh, as Dennis hints at. LOL. The most unjust part of this story is now more people know that this student did something wrong (even if we don’t know exactly what), while so many members of the clergy who committed heinous criminal crimes flew under the radar. Another injustice AGAIN.
I am sorry – meant where
Kathy, I could never as a child imagine a priest in a rectory with an ankle bracelet. Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that a priest could be a criminal.
Kathy & Susan,
Two days ago I left a two worded comment stating FIGHTING BACK along with a video of a young lady who confronted a school teacher who had abused her for years. A clear example that showed a victim lives in pain for years or decades after the physical attack.
I would like to share with your readers because of the actions of this hero, the teacher in question has resigned from her position, and sadly a second victim of this teacher has like each of us survivors had to do has come forward.
In addition a police investigation has begun.
We can only applaud the actions of these women and the actions of every victim of abuse who comes forward everyday.
FYI :
http://wnep.com/2014/01/22/priest-pleads-guilty-to-corruption-charge/
Not years ago – last september
Unfortunately, I did not see the video that Dennis posted, but did read egunn’s link above, which includes the following sentence:
“Paulish will be sentenced in the next few months. He could get up to seven years in prison and may have to register as a sex offender.”
Did I just read the word MAY in the above sentence??? I couldn’t believe my eyes. Why does it say “MAY have to register.” I sure hope that is Paulish or his lawyer’s wishful thinking, Why would he NOT have to register. Thoughts?? Upset all over again. Thanks!
MC,
Because corruption of a minor doesn’t automatically warrant registration. The weak prosecutor was willing to offer a deal…one count of corruption of a minor? How does meeting up with a teen for a year to have sex warrant just one felony count of corruption of a minor?
Thank you for explaining, Survivor’s wife. Yes, the priest would be crazy not to take that deal, wouldn’t he? This is so frustrating and disheartening!!! Don’t you just feel that we/they are never going to catch the bad guys and give them what they deserve, if at all? Banging head…
This how two franscians murdered OUR CHILD by introducing him to and suppling him with CDS !
DRUGS: I destroy homes, tear families apart, take your children, and that’s just the start. I’m more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold, the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold, and if you need me, remember I’m easily found. I live all around you, in schools and in town. I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street and maybe next door. My power is awesome; try me..you’ll see, but if you do, you may never break free. Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I’ll own your soul. When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie You do what you have to just to get high. The crimes you’ll commit for my narcotic charms will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in your arms. You’ll lie to your mom; you’ll steal from your dad. When you see their tears, you should feel sad. But you’ll forget your morals and how you were raised, I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends. I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I’ll be with you always, right by your side. You’ll give up everything your family, your friends, your money your home, and then you’ll be alone. I’ll take and take, till you have nothing more to give. When I’m finished with you you’ll be lucky to live. If you try me be warned this is no game. If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane. I’ll ravish your body; I’ll control your mind. I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine. The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed, the voices you’ll hear from inside your head, the sweats, the shakes the visions you’ll see; I want you to know, these are all gifts from me. But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall never part. You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me, not I to you. You knew this would happen. Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold. You could have said no, and just walked away. If you could re-live that day, now what would you say? I’ll be your master; you will be my slave, I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave. Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? Its all up to you. I can bring you more misery than words can tell. Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell…
http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/two-year-window-for-sex?source=s.fwd&r_by=1962163
The Lansdale Pa. priest charged with indecent assault who initially denied the accusations against him has admitted guilt.
What paper is carrying the story , can you copy the link and post ?
I’m sorry. Here is the link.
http://www.thereporteronline.com/general-news/20140123/police-lansdale-priest-admitted-touching-mans-genitals-in-ymca-locker-room
Dennis,
Reading that I guess he doesn’t understand that no means no. What type of personality trait causes a person to invade that personal space. At least most gay people I know would first touch a thigh and when I said no they would stop. Same thing with rape sensitivity workshops, discuss or give some sort of communication of your intention – no meant no and anyone not understanding that was sick. Of course that was in the 70’s when the victims were blamed and men felt that reporting abuse as meaning they were gay. Even worse the church allowed men to continue to prey on our children – too young to defend themselves and probably even more shocked than the victim in the account in your link. Who would teach their kids not to trust a priest in the 60’s and 70’s and later?
Unable,
Remember a distressing call I received from a priest at a faculty house when my brother left work early. Since my family worked with D&A since the early 70’s, I had to discuss the problems with alcohol and abuse with my brother – a problem with some in religious life. Told the priest my thoughts. – fellow Oblate. Tried to get D&A programs including AA and ALNON into a high school in the 70’s nor realizing the person abuse by a certain priests was only 11 years old at that time – still wanted that option to be available. Too many of our young people are dealing with problems that overwhelm them and is especially troubling that the RCC allowed it (sexual abuse) to continue.
We admire your courage as well as all who continue to fight for our children
After reading it…I thought, “this is not this man’s first rodeo. He’s done this before.” How many other victims does he have?
Where has he served? Who has shared a rectory with him?
“Security officers at Penn State Worthington Scranton say they discovered the Rev. William Jeffery Paulish, 56, parked in a red Toyota Thursday night with a 15-year-old boy who wasn’t wearing any pants, according to an affidavit.”
http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/848582/
Don’t know if Old Forge is gun shy because of other scandals or the DAs are having problems because of the number of laws that have been recently passed. Had a recent rape case that also did not carry a registration requirement – first degree misdemeanor- originally in the bill, but lined out later. When a furry of legislation is enacted there is so much that needs to be analyzed to ascertain the effect of plea agreement and charges etc. The defense lawyers make sure they have the ear of our representatives. Luckily juries are seeing the light and are reacting to the old school attacking the victim defense.
Think with the security officers as witnesses that this would easily be a slam drunk case. Hope our new Attorney General finally starts to investigate the Sandusky case and allow the victims to get their justice – from all institutions in this state SOL window. We need to know that “innocent” holding a child in the lap can be the beginning of grooming for a seven year old. The was the first sexual contact for several victims of several priests – documented in news articles some collected by bishop accountability. Can’t keep a bubble around our kids but need to put a light on this epidemic so we have less victims. The RCC needs to come clean so the healing can begin for our victims.
Another article for everyone to read
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140124_Controversial_judge_moves_from_criminal_court_to_civil_court.html