Bishop, victims have spirited talk about child sex abuse cover-ups

[Melvin]

Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Austin, Texas, the head of the U.S. bishops’ child protection committee, reportedly had a “spirited talk” with victims of clergy sex abuse about “cover-ups.” Here is the link to the story.

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0701603.htm

After reading this story, my own inclination should I become aware of alleged abuse or personally suspect abuse would be to bypass the Church and my bishop completely and report the matter to police and or child protective services. Probably the police, as I am personally aware of at least two cases where CPS failed to conduct adequate investigations of allegations.

I mean neither disrespect nor to infer that my bishop would not properly handle such allegations. However, given the bishops’ stance that they are limited to fraternal correction of one another regarding cover-ups of alleged abuse, the protracted procedure proposed by the bishops for exercising that “fraternal correction,” the protracted time frames and potential loss of evidence that occur due to cover-ups of alleged abuse, the need to seek justice and counseling for the victim sooner rather than later, to prevent the victimization of others, and to interrupt an alleged perpetrator’s abusive behavior, I would place the issue in the hands of law enforcement, which I believe would be much more responsive and aggressive in dealing with such criminal behavior.

Any comments?

 

[chevalier]

Depends what intent they had. I wouldn’t be insistent on a particular priest receiving criminal punishment. However, if they kept transferring him or if instead of examining the matter, they tried to intimidate me into silence, I would go to the cops. I would also report all the intimidaters to higher Church authorities and I would report the higher authorities even higher if there were a need.

 

[stinkcat_14]

I think in such a situation it would be prudent to report the individual to both church and secular authorities. Let’s take another issue. If I had evidence that someone in my church is embezzling money, then there are both civil and church sanctions that can be imposed, and they should both be imposed if warranted.

 

[a_cermak]

I think taking it to law enforcement is a better idea. First of all, child abuse is a criminal matter. Second of all, the police are trained to deal with issues such as collecting and handling evidence and they tend to have social workers and psychologists and counselors on staff who can help the child deal with his trauma.

 

[goofyjim]

If I knew a priest was guilty of sexual abuse I would take it to the civil authorities no matter how much it hurt me to do so.

 

[Nordar]

If I knew that anyone say a teacher, or a camp counselor were sexually abusing my child I would go to the police. So why would I not do so if I found out a Priest was? sexual abuse of a child is a crime period.