Please read: “Catholic Church Priests Raped Children in Philadelphia, But the Wrong People Went to Jail” By Ralph Cipriano, Newsweek, November 30, 2017
Excerpt: “While Bevilacqua was partying in those casinos, dozens of priests on his payroll acted as though they had license to rape and molest children. Those priests didn’t worry about being arrested because for decades the archdiocese had followed Vatican law—and flouted American criminal law—by keeping all of its records involving priests accused of sexual assaults locked up in bulging file cabinets in a nondescript room on the 12th floor of archdiocese headquarters. Only top archdiocese officials such as Bevilacqua and Lynn, the archdiocese’s secretary for clergy, had the access code to get into that room.”
Can’t wait to see how much space Chaput takes out in the Inquirer to refute this story! The blatant disregard for children under The Archdioceses care was and is flat out disgusting! Its kind of funny that the only people that have to follow the rules set forth by the church are the ones that sit in the pews every Sunday because the rules obviously don’t apply to the ones that make them and enforce them. The Archdioceses of Philadelphia should be called and treated for what it is a “Criminal Enterprise”. It has everything an episode of The Sopranos has. Cover-ups, Payoffs, Sex, Racketeering, and yes Murder since any sane human being knows that is what happened with Bevilacqua. I would love to see a gutsy Federal prosecutor go after them with the RICO Act! The church is no different than The Mafia other than the fact that The Mafia has “Morals” when it comes to children!
This article is probably not one that either “side” will be happy with, but it is a story that needs to be told. I have disagreed with Ralph about many things over the years but I think this article is a thorough review of the abuse and corruption of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,as well as the many issues with the 2011 GJ report and arrests of Lynn,Shero,Englehardt and Avery under our now imprisoned, former DA Seth Williams.
Everytime I read about this subject I get physically and mentally sick. And yet it must be reported and it must be read. The abuses and the coverups continue but it is so encouraging to read about the determination and integrity of law enforcement, including the DA’s office, and the continued vigilance and investigations by journalists. Without these stalwart citizens and officials, sordid evil, like that of Bevilacqua’s, will prevail. Thank you also to catholics4change for keeping us up on the latest developments.
My mom was reading this today and I thought I would share it. “Ye that love the Lord hate evil: the Lord keepeth the souls of His saints; He will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner” “Light is risen to the just; and gladness to such as are right of heart.” Psalm 96 God is good keep praying.
M
Today, I was reading about this week’s trial and conviction of Fr. John Feit for the murder of Irene Garza in McAllen, TX, 50+ years ago. Feit heard her confession and then beat, suffocated, and raped her. Her body was found a couple of days later.
An excerpt from the article: “But even after Feit’s conviction, questions persist about why it took so long to resolve the case, and whether the church and elected officials [and I would insert law enforcement officials and media] tried to cover it up.”
Really? “Tried” to cover it up? The people in McAllen would do well to look at the cover-up history of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, its elected officials, law enforcement officials, and media. It might inspire McAllen’s own Joe Walsh to unravel the cover-up, and it would give Ralph another one to write about.
Bevilacqua. You’re lucky you exited prior to #me too.
Micklega, I agree with everything you said except the last part. If Bevilacqua didn’t repent he’s mostly likely in hell and not lucky at all. Been thinking alot about heaven and hell as alot of tragic deaths occurred the passed two weeks. 4 nuns from my daughters school just got hit head on and are all in critical condition including her religion teacher. Her religion teacher was really looking forward and ready to go to heaven. From what was discussed in class she really believed in what she was teaching. These powerful men in their arrogance lost their child like faith.
I am grateful for the #me too movement, and for a female comic on npr who said, basically, if a man has his thing out and you are fully clothed – that’s wrong, that’s assault.
I have blamed myself for an incident that happened with a priest when I was 16. Now I can clearly see the truth and let go of, “ I must have given him the wrong message some how. He must have thought that was what I wanted.”
The truth was that as a victim of childhood sexual abuse involving my own father and a priest any sign of care and concern was emotional “crack.” At 16 I was still naive enough to believe that most priests were good, godly, christ loving, Christ living men. This man was a Spiritual director on a young Christian students YCS retreat. He showed me compassion; I confided in him. He later got sick so I wrote to him in hospital. He wrote me back and invited me to come visit one day for lunch. He opened the door kissed me and invited me to the bedroom. What? I said no. He said well let’s just lie down here on the floor. I said no. He got on the floor so I sat next to him. I had no language, no experience to show me how to get out of there. He whipped it out and tried to pull my head down. I resisted so he took my hand and I masterbated him. I didn’t stay for lunch! But I’ve always blamed myself. After all I went there freely. F%^€ sorry if this is too much.
Mona,
Your story is important and I admire the bravery and courage it took to share it. I’m sorry that you have had to live haunted by the aggressions of your father and the priest. Over the years, I have read many of your posts on C4C and other sites. Through them, I have always perceived you as strong, resilient, and intelligent… a survivor. Not only are you a survivor but, in sharing your story, you have raised the consciousness of all of us which is crucial if we are to change how our culture tolerates sexual abuse. Thank you for being good, thoughtful, insightful, honest, not afraid, open, and strong. In being so, you empower other survivors, you show them the way, and you enable a cultural revolution that will civilize and dignify mankind.
Kate
Congrats to everyone in Philly on Eagles winning the Superbowl! Yesterday was also the 8th anniversary of my dad’s passing and I think it s kinda fitting because my dad always liked a good party. I was thinking though nothing not even the Superbowl celebrations and parades are gonna be like the celebrations when we all get to heaven. God , Our Father loves us so very much. I know this personally by experiencing his love for me and also thru the example of my dad. I know it is possible to have a good father that sacrifices for his children and is also a protector. If my dad taught me anything it was to never give up and always keep hope because our hope lies in Jesus Christ. So continue to fight the good fight. My prayer today is that each one of you know the love of God the Father and that Archbishop Chaput and all the priests in the Philly AD learn and take heart that a good father sacrifices for their children and is a protector both of their bodies and their souls. I believe because I have seen the goodness of the Lord who has created us. I have seen the hardest of hearts softened by prayer but it is done in God’s timing and people have to freely choose him. Peace.
Great Quote from a recent TIME Magazine and I believe that it is Going to Come True!
“To put it simply, a Church that systematically covers up the abuse of children by its ministers is a Church without a future. It was that way in 2002 when this scandal first exploded. It’s even more so the case in 2018, when the Church’s popular reformist pope has failed to accurately assess the gravity and effectively address this issue.”
I know what you are saying and I hear you. The thing is God sent his followers the “Jews” his Son and they killed him. They killed “The Son of God”. But the “Church” survived it just changed form. The “Church” will survive but it will be different. In the end Heaven is our home not this Earth and Thank God for that. Evil done in God’s name never makes its God’s Will.
Unfortunately Nothing will be different. The Church has and always be about their Bank Account and Controlling people. Its the people that keep going back every Sunday that enables their continued disgusting behavior and actions with No Consequences! If nothing Changes, Nothing Changes Bottom Line! The #1 Commandment should be “Do as I say, Not as I do”. Now we have The Pope crapping on Survivors with concrete evidence. Survivors his Church created and continue to now mentally abuse. This Pope thinks if he ignores the problem it will simply go away. Well its not going away and he will either fade into The Black like his predecessors or who knows maybe be named a Saint like the biggest Criminal of them all John Paul II. Practicing Catholics need to do the Next Right Thing and, that is not showing up to mass lining the churches Pockets every Sunday. The only way The Church will wake up is when the Money starts to Dry up.
Chris,
Ultimately my faith is in Jesus Christ. I agree that the current pope is doing a terrible job concerning our survivors and protecting children in the church. I also believe he is not upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church and is openingly allowing chaos and confusion which ironically it seems has been going on behind close doors for years on so many levels which has been brought to light by many of our survivors. I believe prayer, being humble and acting on the Will of God is more important than ever.