Another scandal arrest

[po18guy]

I can’t help but think that at least some of these cases are bogus.
Some I sadly acknowledge “may” be true. My question is, does anyone think this is a satanic assault on the clergy?

Yes, I hate to think about too and it really ruffels my feathers but there is no end to the assaults by the anti Catholics on the legitimacy of our faith. They say we are not even Christians and that we are not saved by faith in Christ, you all know this. So what is the chance that satan is the one who is ultimatly behind all this?

Without a doubt! Satan always comes against the True Church. He cares barely one whit about those who lead the faithful away from the fullness of truth, as they are unwittingly doing his work for him. Satan, in his conceit, tried to tempt our Perfect Lord, but failed. So, he tempts those imperfect priests who continue the faith. Some will fall. It is clearly a satanic attack.

But, trick on Satan! The church will rebound and be even stronger than before.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Dempsey1919]

It deeply saddens me when I hear of stories like this. I hate sex offenders anyway but I think the fact that these men were Priests makes it worse.

People depend on these men for comfort, guidance and help. They are supposed to be men of God and lead by example. I only hope that HMC does something to stop people with these disorders from ever becoming Priests.

Most people think of the victims in cases like this and rightly so. However, I think it is important to think of the good, holy Priests who have to face hatred and suspicion because of this. It must be terrible for them.

I also think that a lot of so-called “victims” may be making up stories for financial gains. I’m not saying that there aren’t legitimate cases, I just think that a lot of people may be “jumping on the bandwagon” so to speak. It’s hard for me to accept that there are so many Priests who would do such heinous things.

I pray that the Church weeds out these people and grows in strength.

 

[4HisChurch]

I can’t help but think that at least some of these cases are bogus.
Some I sadly acknowledge “may” be true. My question is, does anyone think this is a satanic assault on the clergy?

Oh, absolutely! When I hear of these situations, I think of two things. First, the victims. Many can no longer bring themselves to believe in anything the Church has to say. I can’t help but wonder what the statistics are of victims who no longer practice their faith.

Secondly, the priests. How many are no longer practicing Catholics? How many have “come out” and are now living as practicing homosexuals?

I guess there is also a third group here. Those who have been neither victims nor perpetrators, but who have also lost their faith over this scandal.

This whole thing makes me very sad.

 

[Excelency]

Are these weak minded preists? Can they do an exorcism? What if they are possesed but don’t actually realize it? The Catholic faith, when practiced accordingly is the closest to God’s heart. So what greater enemy of satan can man muster? I think these preists are possesed. They repent when caught by the church but then move on, just like demons.

They are prey on the weakest, most innocent (out of womb) members of the church. I really hate to think this about preists but if they are possesed, is it possible that in their minds they are molesting the (edited by me) (sorry, I can’t post what I suspect without suggesting something unspeakable) Please, forgive me for even suggesting such a thing but something is definetly wrong here and nothing adds up. This may be some kind of “crypto” possesion that is otherwise extremly difficult to detect or diagnose.

 

[Teelynn]

The Church is in a no win situation with the statutes of limitations. If it argues in court that changes in statutes aimed directly and only at the Church are unfair and unconstitutional, critics will claim that it’s trying to evade its responsibility to the victims. On the other hand, by doing nothing, it leaves itself open to abuse by lawyers and “victims” who are out for a quick buck.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll repeat what happened in the Diocese of Charleston a couple of months ago. Within a week after the announcement that $12 million was being set aside for future abuse claims, 48 new “victims” crawled out of the woodwork, all represented by the same attorney. Some claimed abuse going back 50 years and many allegations were against priests who died long ago and can no longer defend themselves. Some of the claims may be legitimate, but the timing makes them all look like vultures fighting for their place at the carcass of a dead animal.

This may be a dumb question, but why would the Diocese “announce” that 12 mil was being set aside for future abuse cases? To me, that’s kind of like ringing the dinner bell. Know what I mean?

And abuse cases going back 50 years should in no way shape or form be acceptable to any judge. But then again, we know that there are more than enough corrupt judges to go around.

 

[Teelynn]

Well some states changed the rules so that the people could go after the Catholic Church. They did nothing about the public school teachers and others that also stand accused.

There must, however, be a limit somewhere on how far one can go back. I can understand an adult going back to childhood but there must be some kind of a cut off point. If not next thing you’ll hear is someone’s son is sueing because his father (who is now deceased) was abused by a Catholic Priest and it screwed up his life, therefore having an adverse affect on the son’s life. (am exagerating of course, but in this day and age am I?)
There is going to have to be some kind of a line drawn somewhere. Like I have said in the past, these victims need to “speak now or forever hold your peace.” It seems to me that after all this has come down, most diocese have safeguards in place that greatly reduce if not eliminate completely the threat of this happening now and in the future.

 

[KathleenElsie]

There must, however, be a limit somewhere on how far one can go back. I can understand an adult going back to childhood but there must be some kind of a cut off point. If not next thing you’ll hear is someone’s son is sueing because his father (who is now deceased) was abused by a Catholic Priest and it screwed up his life, therefore having an adverse affect on the son’s life. (am exagerating of course, but in this day and age am I?)
There is going to have to be some kind of a line drawn somewhere. Like I have said in the past, these victims need to “speak now or forever hold your peace.” It seems to me that after all this has come down, most diocese have safeguards in place that greatly reduce if not eliminate completely the threat of this happening now and in the future.

That was my point exactly. The end is now. Future situations go directly to the court system. No exceptions. Public trials and public settlements with extream limits on the attorney fees.

What we need is some sunshine on the situation and not a “black hole” with a sucking sound of Parish money.

 

[Bruno_esqueXXII]

I don’t think pedaphilia can be cured. If a priest is guilty of this, he should be removed from the priesthood. We can worry about his material, psychological and spiritual welfare afterwards, and it is much cheaper, than to keep him in a roman collar.

peace,
mgrfin

I think most psychologists are starting to agree (or do agree) about there being no cure for pedophilia (etc) and the general statistics (not just priest pedophiles) speak to this – you hear about it all the time on the news about them getting out of jail and they go right back to it.

If found guilty they should absolutely be removed from the priesthood and go to jail. The honorable thing to do after serving jail would be to commit oneself to some remote monastery somewhere and do penance for the rest of one’s life imo.

 

[Teelynn]

That was my point exactly. The end is now. Future situations go directly to the court system. No exceptions. Public trials and public settlements with extream limits on the attorney fees.

What we need is some sunshine on the situation and not a “black hole” with a sucking sound of Parish money.

:yup: Or worse yet more diocese claiming bankrupsy, which would be inevitable if left without limits.

 

[geezerbob]

This may be a dumb question, but why would the Diocese “announce” that 12 mil was being set aside for future abuse cases? To me, that’s kind of like ringing the dinner bell. Know what I mean?

And abuse cases going back 50 years should in no way shape or form be acceptable to any judge. But then again, we know that there are more than enough corrupt judges to go around.

I just read an article about Bishop Baker’s move from Charleston to Birmingham that may explain it. Apparently the reserve fund was part of a settlement which was overseen by a court. If so, it would become public record. Bottom paragraph, I think. www.al.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-30/118712109413600.xml&storylist=alabamanews

---

Also according to the article, the number has now grown by another 5 and the judge has delayed the settlement to see if any more alleged victims come forward. Alas, there doesn’t seem to be any end to it.

 

[nowheretoturn]

Did those who felt remorse get convicted
and serve jail time?

 

[pigtown]

Maybe I’m in the minority but I have a big problem with people who are coming forth 30 or 40 years later and claiming that a priest molested them when they were 12 years old. For one thing, it seems kind of strange that no one was told at the time and why was it remembered all of a sudden after so many years? I’m afraid that there are priests who are being punished for something that never happened. There should be a time limit on how long a person can wait before making such charges. Most priests are good people and these accusations are giving them and the Church a bad name.

 

[nowheretoturn]

Did those who felt remorse get convicted
and serve jail time?

 

[Nohome]

Maybe I’m in the minority but I have a big problem with people who are coming forth 30 or 40 years later and claiming that a priest molested them when they were 12 years old. For one thing, it seems kind of strange that no one was told at the time and why was it remembered all of a sudden after so many years? I’m afraid that there are priests who are being punished for something that never happened. There should be a time limit on how long a person can wait before making such charges. Most priests are good people and these accusations are giving them and the Church a bad name.

When an injustice occurs, time is not a factor. Just like war crimes and other crimes against humanity, there should be no time limit. The Bishops that covered the mess up gave the church a bad name, not the victims.

Nohome

 

[Mimi]

The following from Matthew 13 sprung to mind when I was reading this thread:

 *He proposed another parable to them.  "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.    While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.    When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.    The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'    He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'    He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.    Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"*

Perhaps the slaves are sharpening their scythes…

Being a new Catholic, and in Los Angeles, this whole scandal really is just the worst thing.  I know it is some psychological defect but I first just don't understand how someone can do such things to children, and then to do them as a priest?!?!  It just makes me think it has to be a very great evil at work here.

Hi,
I just jumped into this thread. I was reminded of what a “very great evil at work here” the scandals are and not only the child abuse stuff. Happened to hear Fr. Corapi on Relevant Radio Thursday a.m. The part I heard was “What better place for evil to strike than the shepherds and their priests? Cut down the priesthood, and there won’t be any Eucharist.” Toward the end of this talk, he said when he was discerning his vocation, he went to see a vocations director, a young priest (didn’t say where), and they went out to dinner, and after a couple glasses of wine, the priest began to talk. Saying something like, “Y’know, we have to wean the people of this idea that there really is something there in that bread…” Fr. C said, “I received a great grace that night; that I didn’t kill him on the spot!” Whew!!

For anyone wondering what some of the root causes of these scandals are, I recommend Goodbye, Good Men by Michael Rose. He’s come under some criticism for writing what he did, but I do believe it is accurate in its accounts.Very sad to read.

I’ve also heard it said that “a holy people make a holy priest”, so keep on encouraging those good priests we know, and help people learn the faith! This is the Church Militant! Now get moving!

Okay, gotta get some sleep now. I’m taking over the pro-life table after Mass at the pancake brkfst.

'Night,
Mimi

 

[geezerbob]

Did those who felt remorse get convicted
and serve jail time?

It’s not illegal to feel remorse. Those who were accused, tried and convicted served jail time. At least one was killed in prison.

 

[debraran]

That story with Fr. Corapi, reminded me of one Fr. Groechel told. Para-phrasing, he was listening to a priest with a rabbi friend at an outside mass talking about how “this is just a symbol” and “we don’t have to really believe in that” and he was slowly fuming…toward the end, the rabbi leaned in and said, in that distinct Jewish accent, “What DO you believe then? , With friends like that, who needs enemies?”

In regard to priests that are accused, it seems “most” admitted what they did, some didn’t, but the amount of people concurring the charges and the bishops hearing about it and not really addressing it, lend itself to truth. Back in the 50 and 60’s, no one would tell their parents about a priest touching them in a “bad way” without getting a smack. How could you address that to the priest? I’m not saying some didn’t, but it was embarrassing and not something brought up over the dinner table. I do remember in the 70’s hearing boys talk about a “funny brother” or “you don’t want to be alone with this one”, but it was with each other, not an adult. I don’t think you will have that going on today with almost too much talk about those things. AND I pray for the ones that just blatantly lied or exagerated for the money, they have to own up to that one day!

 

[Nino]

Maybe I’m in the minority but I have a big problem with people who are coming forth 30 or 40 years later and claiming that a priest molested them when they were 12 years old. For one thing, it seems kind of strange that no one was told at the time and why was it remembered all of a sudden after so many years? I’m afraid that there are priests who are being punished for something that never happened. There should be a time limit on how long a person can wait before making such charges. Most priests are good people and these accusations are giving them and the Church a bad name.

 

[Nino]

When an adult…esp.one wearing a collar,molests a kid that kid is confused,bothered and bewildered…for years…these vermin are trained to brainwash the victims into thinking THEY initiated the attack…they ‘THEY’ desired it etc etc…the evil one posing as a priest and becoming chaplain at the catholic (small C) high school I taught at…molested some 12 young boys …he was charming…looked like Tyrone Powers…cared about the ‘poor’ this always helps…and of course honored aids victims etc…even when he was exposed (good choice of words) in a grand jury investigation…on the internet…local folks here in town…he became pastor …defended him…'oh,gushing…it cant be true…"…no there is a ring of them in our beloved church and they are protected…moved from place to place.etc…coming to a church or school near you as the old slogan went…Nino

 

[debraran]

I think part of the reason is the sometimes “over the top” respect and revere they had as priests. My girlfriend who went to parochial school said the nuns would get “all aflutter” when Father so and so came into the room, you NEVER were disrespectful to Father. I remember as a very young child thinking they did “magic” and were one step under God. That kind of thinking makes you feel very uncomfortable approaching anyone about something that sensitive and it was embarassing for a numbr of reasons. Nowadays, priests have lost too much respect, but at least they are seen as human and not devine.