Catholic Bishop Says He Was Abused by Priest

[Toni]

frommi:

Wait a minute…

Someone is agreeing with the idea that it’s “sadder” that the bishop has a theology that you don’t agree with than that he was molested as a child?

That’s a seriously confused point of view.

No the point is that it is sad that he has been abused the saddest point is that he has done absolutely nothing to stop abuse in the church. He has spoken many times for homosexuality etc. so this has not helped the situation.
Knowing the pain of abuse I would do anything to stop it!

 

[Ortho]

pm1853:

Out of curiosity, does anyone know as to whether this particular Bishop has done anything prior to this in order to fight abuse? I don’t know enough about him or what he’s done in the church really, but, as a victim of this type of abuse AND as a relatively higher ranking cleric, he would be able to provide insight as to the abuse situation. Has he done so? He says “I could make a difference for the victims at this point.” (quoted from the Detroit Free Press Article). He’s been a Bishop for 38 years now, he could have made HUGE differences a long time ago. I don’t wish to sound insensitive, because if what he says is true, than its a truly terrible thing that happened to him that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But he has had some degree of power which he could have used to bring this to someones attention a LONG time ago. That attention could have quite possibly saved another person from being abused like him. He may have been working behind the scenes. If he has then hopefully he has done a lot of good. But if he hasn’t, I can’t even fathom the damage that could have been avoided.

I know a lot of abuse victims feel powerless and subsequently don’t bring their claims into the public eye for quite a while (if ever). A Bishop however, is not powerless. Have I missed something?

Which bishops did anything about this before the press and the lawyers got in the game?

 

[Ortho]

contemplative:

…unreported abuse in all walks of life…not just Church and not just the good ol’ days…I suspect much goes unreported even today. Children are vulnerable and adults know it…nothing much has changed.

The big difference with the Church is the actions of the bishops. I’m not aware of any other group in which senior management was involved in coverup and enabling of such abuse.

 

[Toni]

Ortho:

The big difference with the Church is the actions of the bishops. I’m not aware of any other group in which senior management was involved in coverup and enabling of such abuse.

There are so many cover ups. The judicial system especially. In many faiths there is been cover up. In our political system there are cover ups and they are protected.
When Father O’Connor spoke about the boys in boys town they were being sold to judges, senators, etc. the cover up in many systems is far bigger than you could ever believe.

Case in point A doctor is supeoned to court on the case of parental abuse. A child says my daddy is sticking a pencil up my but when I go over to his house. The doctor testified in the case that this was true. The judge refused to take partial custody away from the father.
This is a case that I am familiar with in speaking to the doctor who testified.
This is a far bigger problem than people could ever imagine.

 

[Ortho]

Toni:

There are so many cover ups. The judicial system especially. In many faiths there is been cover up. In our political system there are cover ups and they are protected.
When Father O’Connor spoke about the boys in boys town they were being sold to judges, senators, etc. the cover up in many systems is far bigger than you could ever believe.

Case in point A doctor is supeoned to court on the case of parental abuse. A child says my daddy is sticking a pencil up my but when I go over to his house. The doctor testified in the case that this was true. The judge refused to take partial custody away from the father.
This is a case that I am familiar with in speaking to the doctor who testified.
This is a far bigger problem than people could ever imagine.

OK. Just tell us what organization has had so many of its senior managers covering up and enabling sexual abuse by their subordinates.

 

[Toni]

Wish I had more time and more room to write but here goes.

Mormon Church accused of failure to report sexual abuse
The suit states Tilson’s sexual abuse was reported to Mormon leaders. …
www.rickross.com/reference/mormon/mormon72.html

Sect leader found guilty of child molestation BRUNSWICK, Georgia (AP) – The leader of a quasi-religious sect was convicted Friday of molesting boys and girls at the group’s ancient Egyptian-style compound.

 

[Toni]

children.safepassagefoundation.org/archives/2004/01/brunswick_georg.htmlNudist/Naturist Hall of Shame

Exposing Nudism & Naturism’s Dirty Little Secretsedophilia, Swinging, Pornography and Sexual Exploitation

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/13628051.htm

MIRA LOMA, Calif. (AP) - Authorities have arrested 49 men, including a U.S. Homeland Security agent and a high school teacher, during a sting targeting attempted child molesters.“We know this is a prevalent problem, but to see 49 guys come through in three days, that’s scary and alarming,” said Michelle Paradise, a Riverside County deputy district attorney who supervised the sting.http://www.spokesmanreview.com/jimwest/story.asp?ID=050505_westmain West tied to sex abuse in '70s, using office to lure young men

**Allegations shadow politician throughout his career **By Bill Morlin / Staff writer For a quarter century, the man who is now Spokane’s mayor has used positions of public trust – as a sheriff’s deputy, Boy Scout leader and powerful politician – to develop sexual relationships with boys and young men.

****6/8/03:Men say they suffered sex abuse by deputy
6/8/03: Alleged child molester ‘very sweet brother’
11/04/03: Four men file claims of abuse by deputy

http://www.skeptictank.org/hs/hkclhab1.htm

Child abuse at Hare Krishna

For years, rumors circulated about child abuse at Hare Krishna boarding schools in the 1970s and ‘80s. But ultimately it was the group itself that confirmed the problem, exposing many of the shocking details just this week. In an extraordinary display of candor by a religious group, the Hare Krishna movement published the findings in an official journal, recounting sexual molestation, beatings, public humiliation and isolation in roach-infested closets. Teachers, administrators and monks were among the abusers. [surrealist.org/gurukula/associatedpress.html](http://surrealist.org/gurukula/associatedpress.html)
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/school/molest.html
**Worried about Teacher Molestation The Times’ investigation found that school administrators often conduct cursory
inquiries of sexual-misconduct complaints against coaches and rarely alert …
seattletimes.nwsource.com/ news/local/coaches/news/daytwo.html - 48k

**There have been a number of multi-million dollar verdicts against coaches and
associations for sexual abuse over the past several years and at least one …
www.americanyouthfootball.com/ ShortVersionChildAbuseRiskManagement

 

[Toni]

www.selfjpa.org/resources/presentations/GS04/SELF%…

File Format: Microsoft Powerpoint 97 - View as HTML
Sexual Assault Claim Against Coach at Cheerleading Camp in Georgia … Sexual molestation represents half of claims (34% of dollars); Some offenders are …

There are signs a person who molests children put out. Signs that you can be alert to that might signal a person is a child molester.

How often have you heard someone describe a person who was just arrested for molesting children like this; “I can’t believe he would do such a thing. He was always so good with the kids in the neighborhood. He would take them to ball games and buy them candy. I just can’t believe he would harm them.”

If it is not a parent or guardian harming our children, then it is someone with access to the child like a ball coach, a teacher, a priest or preacher, a scout leader or anyone with a job where there is contact with children.

You don’t hear of someone down at the auto plant molesting children because there are no children in the factory to molest. (Unless he has a job on the side working with children or his own children.) If someone is a child molester, they will find ways to be around them.

(As I write this, the Catholic Church is in a crisis about allegations of molestation against members of it’s clergy and the response the church took when confronted with those allegations. The Catholic Church was wrong in how they handled the cases in the past. No excuses should be made and changes need to be implemented immediately to make sure they don’t handle these cases that way again.

But I also want to say that 99% of all priest are not pedophiles. They are committed to their faith and to helping people. People who molest children are sick. Their desire for children is stronger than even their faith. An occupation or a lifestyle does not lead to someone becoming a child molester. Do not put all priest in the category of pedophiles.)

Here are some of the warning signs you should be alert to. (And I again want to caution you that even if someone exhibits one of these signs, that does not mean they are a child molester but you and anyone with children around this person should be cautious and have your radar screen up for trouble.)

---

• Someone who talks constantly about sexual activities of children.
• A person who spends his spare time doing things with children and not adult friends.
• This person seems to always have a special child friend. And this friend might change from time to time.
• Someone who will ridicule a child by calling them names with a sexual tone. Names like slut, whore, stud etc.
• They will ask their adult sexual partner to act or dress like a child during sex.
• Looks at child pornography. (It is estimated over 35% of people who view child porn sexually abuse children)
• They will tell children to keep secrets and not tell anyone of certain activities.
• Someone who gives money to children or buys them expensive gifts for no known reason.
• A person who is overly affectionate with children. This might include kissing, tickling, hugging, wrestling or touching a child even when the child tells them to stop.
• Someone who walks in on children in the bathroom.

---

**

 

[Toni]

A person who becomes defensive when asked about a child’s health or they give conflicting stories about injuries.
As I said on my page describing what child molesters look like, people that hurt children are male or female. They are from all races. They are rich and poor. They are old and they are young. They go to your church and they go to your grocery store. They look just like you and me and we have no way of telling them apart physically.

But we do have these warning signs we can be alert to. It takes each one of us to stop incest, physical child abuse and child molestation.

And you can also educate yourself to ways you can protect your children from being molested. Read my booklet,101 Ways To Protect Your Children From Child Molesterssafeguard your children from these predators and to learn some of the “tricks” child molesters use to gain access to children.Czech Republic

PRAGUE. (11/1997). Police make arrests in child porn/abuse ring. Five people have been arrested - three French, one American, and one Briton in what officials describe as an international pedophile ring. The victims were videotaped and the child-porn films sold abroad.

Chile

SANTIAGO. (08/1997). German-born cult leader still at large. Paul Schaefer, age 76, is accused by police of sexual assaults on five boys that occurred at a colony he founded called Colonia Dignidad - Dignity Colony. He is also accused of sexual assaults on children at an orphanage and a boarding school that he founded in Bonn. Although repeated police raids on the colony have failed to produce him, Schaefer is supposedly hidden there.

England

LONDON. (07/1997). Worker at children’s home dies of AIDS during investigation. Despite warnings that the man had sexually abused children in the past, a social worker was somehow allowed to continue caring for hundreds of children. Seven victims have so far come forward to accuse now-deceased Mark Trotter, who reportedly sexually abused them at Trowbridge House in east London between 1981 and 1993.

To summarize, the perpetrators of child molestation can’t be stereotyped.

 

[dafalax]

frommi:

There’s no reason to suggest he isn’t telling the truth.

Say what you will about his theology, but he’s never been one to shy away from saying exactly what he thinks about something.

Sadly, his forceful advocacy for peace and justice throughout the world gets clouded by those who can’t let go of his positions on the lack of justice in some corners of our own church.

Yes, and sadly some people can’t admit that a man who makes his money from an organization he works diligently to undermine is a coward and a fraud.

 

[pm1853]

Ortho:

Which bishops did anything about this before the press and the lawyers got in the game?

Touché, but not part of what I’m saying. I’m worried that as an abuse victim, the Bishop may have done nothing until now to prevent abuse from happening. If that is true, and it very well may not be, then its just sickening. Apathy when you yourself were a victim, apathy when you have power, apathy when this can be prevented. Those three combined paint a bleak picture. I’m not disagreeing with you, just clarifying my point.

 

[katewithak]

Bless his heart! As a Bishop, this must have been profoundly difficult for him to do. His concern for the Church, however, has overweighed his personal desires.

 

[frommi]

dafalax:

Yes, and sadly some people can’t admit that a man who makes his money from an organization he works diligently to undermine is a coward and a fraud.

Seems to me that it takes a lot more bravery to speak out what you believe to be true at the expense of your episcopal career than to parrot statements you don’t agree with to gain greater power and prestige in the church.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

frommi:

Seems to me that it takes a lot more bravery to speak out what you believe to be true at the expense of your episcopal career than to parrot statements you don’t agree with to gain greater power and prestige in the church.

What career? He is supposed to have retired, but no one has bothered enforce the regulation.

 

[Ortho]

pm1853:

Touché, but not part of what I’m saying. I’m worried that as an abuse victim, the Bishop may have done nothing until now to prevent abuse from happening. If that is true, and it very well may not be, then its just sickening. Apathy when you yourself were a victim, apathy when you have power, apathy when this can be prevented. Those three combined paint a bleak picture. I’m not disagreeing with you, just clarifying my point.

I’m not sure victims have a higher responsibility than the rest of us. I agree those who have power do.

So, do powerful victims have more responsibility than the simply powerful? Why?

 

[frommi]

Joe Kelley:

What career? He is supposed to have retired, but no one has bothered enforce the regulation.

Lots of bishops serve past 75…especially if they are willing to do so…

 

[Evangel]

At a Friday pre-symposium conference for parents of homosexual children and pastoral ministers, Detroit Bishop Thomas Gumbleton told parents, “The first thing that I think needs to be said that’s very, very important if we’re going to love our children is simply to recognize that homosexual people are not disordered people. They are psychologically healthy people. … Homosexuals are as healthy as anyone else.”

I can understand why he said it, even if I think it is obviously contrary to church teaching. But I think it also serves (unintentionally) to support the recent Vatican move to keep homosexuals from teaching in seminaries.

 

[Jaypeeto3]

Gumbleton’s forceful support for peace and justice…give me a break. Gumbleton is only for peace and justice when it comes to those who politics derive from Karl Marx. I remember all his shilling for the Sandinista Communists in the 1980s and his quasi-heretical stands on church dogma for years and years. It is criminal of the Vatican to allow this man to serve as a bishop.

 

[dafalax]

frommi:

Seems to me that it takes a lot more bravery to speak out what you believe to be true at the expense of your episcopal career than to parrot statements you don’t agree with to gain greater power and prestige in the church.

Seems to me it takes a lot more integrity to leave an organization you think is unjust than to continue earning a paycheck from them and biting the proverbial hand that feeds you.
Furthermore, i want to know who it was who determined that someone who was abused by Catholic clergy would be a good candidate for the priesthood in the first place. Seems to me like all the work he does to undermine the Church might stem from conscious or subconscious bitterness at what happened to him. Ah, but like the man with integrity he is, he probably kept that from whoever screened him in seminary.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

frommi:

Lots of bishops serve past 75…especially if they are willing to do so…

And if the pope is willing for them to do so.

They are required to submit a letter of resignation, which may or may not be accepted. He stated that refused to submit the letter because he feared that the Pope would accept it.