Catholic Bishops and Sex Abuse

[Angels_Watchin]

from the Dallas Morning News:
New report on the large number of Bishops who were accused or sho shuffled priests around and did not report them to police:

dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/dallas/2002/priests.cgi

"Roughly two-thirds of top U.S. Catholic leaders have allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to keep working, a systematic practice that spans decades and continues today, a three-month Dallas Morning News review shows."

The article lists names and photos of bishops and you can search by diocese or state.

California has 10 bishops on the list. 6 of them still in power.

One is on one of the Committees of the California Catholic Conference (Bishops) and a number of them (who are on the list and are committee reps/members of the CCC) report directly to C. Mahony (who is one of the 10 on the list)

The Holy Father’s cry for prayer to rid the church of the men responsible for the scandal won’t be enough - ACTION IS REQUIRED ALSO!

A little public outcry never hurts.

 

[texasags]

from the Dallas Morning News:
New report on the large number of Bishops who were accused or sho shuffled priests around and did not report them to police:

dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/dallas/2002/priests.cgi

"Roughly two-thirds of top U.S. Catholic leaders have allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to keep working, a systematic practice that spans decades and continues today, a three-month Dallas Morning News review shows."

The article lists names and photos of bishops and you can search by diocese or state.

California has 10 bishops on the list. 6 of them still in power.

One is on one of the Committees of the California Catholic Conference (Bishops) and a number of them (who are on the list and are committee reps/members of the CCC) report directly to C. Mahony (who is one of the 10 on the list)

The Holy Father’s cry for prayer to rid the church of the men responsible for the scandal won’t be enough - ACTION IS REQUIRED ALSO!

A little public outcry never hurts.

Absolutely correct, but I hope it is kept in perspective (it won’t be of course).

nytimes.com/2007/06/16/us/16protestant.html

Let’s see, 13,000 reports of Catholic clergy abuse since 1950 equals about 230 reports per year. The number from Protestant clergy is about 260 per year. Where’s the outcry there? What are the numbers for sports coaches, scout leaders, and teachers?

I’m not trying to downplay the heinous nature of these acts, but it is not just a Catholic problem. I know most everyone in this forum knows that, but it bears repeating, even by a Protestant…

 

[briang72]

Absolutely correct, but I hope it is kept in perspective (it won’t be of course).

nytimes.com/2007/06/16/us/16protestant.html

Let’s see, 13,000 reports of Catholic clergy abuse since 1950 equals about 230 reports per year. The number from Protestant clergy is about 260 per year. Where’s the outcry there? What are the numbers for sports coaches, scout leaders, and teachers?

I’m not trying to downplay the heinous nature of these acts, but it is not just a Catholic problem. I know most everyone in this forum knows that, but it bears repeating, even by a Protestant…

I hear you. I am tired of the Catholic clergy filter on this problem. It is obviously more of a general society issue than it is an issue of one’s beliefs. Catholic clergy are human beings like the rest of us. The Church has never claimed that ordination brings impeccability.

 

[cyberwolf001]

I’ll tell what I am even more tired of. The Church doing nothing about it.

Well except blaming gays, accusing the victims of lying, covering it up, setting up a do nothing program.

At least that’s the extent I’ve seen feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

If you think I am overly harsh on the church however I have one thing to say “Frankly since this is SUPPOSE to be the one true faith, then you better believe I am holding it to a higher standard.”

 

[Illini]

Please note this is an old story, from 2002, just as the Dallas charter was adopted. Many of the bishops on this list have retired or died since. Therefore, there is nothing in the story about changes in policies, let alone changes in bishops.

-Illini

 

[Migueliones]

I’ll tell what I am even more tired of. The Church doing nothing about it.

Well except blaming gays, accusing the victims of lying, covering it up, setting up a do nothing program.

At least that’s the extent I’ve seen feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

If you think I am overly harsh on the church however I have one thing to say “Frankly since this is SUPPOSE to be the one true faith, then you better believe I am holding it to a higher standard.”

I completely agree and it’s a disgrace.

There’s plenty of clergy who should be in prison for what they have done.

 

[estesbob]

I’ll tell what I am even more tired of. The Church doing nothing about it.

Well except blaming gays, accusing the victims of lying, covering it up, setting up a do nothing program.

At least that’s the extent I’ve seen feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

If you think I am overly harsh on the church however I have one thing to say “Frankly since this is SUPPOSE to be the one true faith, then you better believe I am holding it to a higher standard.”

You must not be very involved in your Church. Anyone who is even remotely involved in the various ministries of their parish knows the the steps taken to stop this problem. in fact may of us think they have gone overboard(requring lectors to attend sexual abuse awareness programs, for instance).

As far as blaming homosexuals what would you have the Church do? On one hand you claim a coverup on the other hand you want the Church to ignore the fact that close to 90% of the abuse was homosexual rape of post pusbescent males.

 

[whatevergirl]

Absolutely correct, but I hope it is kept in perspective (it won’t be of course).

nytimes.com/2007/06/16/us/16protestant.html

Let’s see, 13,000 reports of Catholic clergy abuse since 1950 equals about 230 reports per year. The number from Protestant clergy is about 260 per year. Where’s the outcry there? What are the numbers for sports coaches, scout leaders, and teachers?

I’m not trying to downplay the heinous nature of these acts, but it is not just a Catholic problem. I know most everyone in this forum knows that, but it bears repeating, even by a Protestant…

The outcry in this particular article is pointing out that Bishops were shuffling/transferring the priests who were involved in the criminal wrong doing. Protestants dont have that same hierarchy, so I don’t know if they would be transferred in the same way. Typically, if a coach or teacher is found out–they are fired. Not transferred to another school. And those cases did make national news. You’re right, it’s not just a Catholic problem–it’s a human problem, and we are a human Church. But, there is no excuse for this to still be taking place today–and according to the link, it is? I am saddened to read that.

 

[estesbob]

The outcry in this particular article is pointing out that Bishops were shuffling/transferring the priests who were involved in the criminal wrong doing. Protestants dont have that same hierarchy, so I don’t know if they would be transferred in the same way. Typically, if a coach or teacher is found out–they are fired. Not transferred to another school. And those cases did make national news. You’re right, it’s not just a Catholic problem–it’s a human problem, and we are a human Church. But, there is no excuse for this to still be taking place today–and according to the link, it is? I am saddened to read that.

Agreed -in this case the coverup was as bad as the crime-if not worse. The link did not refer to any recent coverups.

 

[whatevergirl]

Agreed -in this case the coverup was as bad as the crime-if not worse. The link did not refer to any recent coverups.

Right–sorry–I should have clarified that! What I meant to add was that those Bishops are still allowed to hold their position within the clergy, and that is so wrong, I can’t even come up with words for it. These priests broke the law, and by passing these priests off to other parishes, the Bishops knew that their behavior was wrong, so they covered it up, but shifting these priests to other parishes–so they should be let go of their positions in the Church.

 

[katy]

The outcry in this particular article is pointing out that Bishops were shuffling/transferring the priests who were involved in the criminal wrong doing. Protestants dont have that same hierarchy, so I don’t know if they would be transferred in the same way. Typically, if a coach or teacher is found out–they are fired. Not transferred to another school. And those cases did make national news. You’re right, it’s not just a Catholic problem–it’s a human problem, and we are a human Church. But, there is no excuse for this to still be taking place today–and according to the link, it is? I am saddened to read that.

Actually, public school teachers have been passed around or given the chance to just resign as well, in the past. I’ve heard it called “passing the trash”.

 

[whatevergirl]

Actually, public school teachers have been passed around or given the chance to just resign as well, in the past. I’ve heard it called “passing the trash”.

oh-ouch! What a phrase, no?

Although it happens elsewhere, the Catholic Church should only be concerned with what it’s doing. It’s like one of my children coming home someday, saying…‘why can’t I go to the party mom…everyone is going.’ I don’t care about everyone else in this case, I only care about how the Church is handling these issues. ( I mean I care if schools are handling these issues in the appropriate ways as well…ha that came out wrong–but I don’t believe that it makes in a feasible excuse for the Church’s past misjuddgements in this arena) Ok, hope that makes better sense.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I hear you. I am tired of the Catholic clergy filter on this problem. It is obviously more of a general society issue than it is an issue of one’s beliefs. Catholic clergy are human beings like the rest of us. The Church has never claimed that ordination brings impeccability.

That is not good enough - it’s an insult to the millions of imperfect of flawed human beings who do not behave like Catholic priests or bishops. An honest & decent Church does do not cry foul when made to face the music for its crimes. That was all that Vatican had to offer.​

If Catholic bishops shuffle priests from parish to parish like pawns (porns ?) on a chessboard, if they do these & such things - that makes it a Catholic problem. Not an Anglican problem, not a Baptist problem, not an atheist, or Muslim, or teaching, or Order of Elks problem - but a Catholic problem. And if we don’t want it shoved down our throats by people who find our slobbering about the wonders of the Catholic Church nothing but vomit-inducing & hypocritical drivel - then we must do something about it.

Ordination is not needed for men to keep their private parts unemployed & behind their zippers - even atheists manage that. Maybe the CC shouldn’t ordain sociopaths & other “head cases”; they are the ones who manipulate those they abuse, & the bishops.

This scandal is aggravated by many things - including the holier-than-thou spirit of the CC: which is so much better in every way than those Hell-bound atheists & Protestants: especially the latter, in their “defective” hurches.

The CC deserves all the flak it gets - & one says that as a Catholic. Because the gap between its advertising & propaganda, & the many abominations this reveals, in unbridgeable. Only in the Catholic Church, which is “perfect”, & alone has “the fullness of truth”, would a Cardinal-Archbishop be shielded from prosecution for his negligence. If it weren’t for the investigations, & despite the “best efforts” of bishops & their Roman handlers, in the USA but not there only, these things would be continuing, & bishops would still be carrying on as before, in every sense. That is nothing more than the behaviour of a child who behaves because if he does not, he will get a smack round the head - it is not virtue, not at all, because virtuous men behave without being shamed for their vices. They behave like decent human beings without being sued or investigated or put on the spot - unlike the Catholic bishops.

If nothing else, this revolting & predictable affair has caused immense trouble to those clergy who are not perverts, not sociopaths, not liars, not manipulative - who thinks of them ? To say nothing of those clergy not of the CC who are mistaken for Catholic priests, & get spat on for it.

 

[Pax]

Michael,

What you’ve said is pretty much on the money. Everyone needs to own up and take the heat for their own dirty laundry. The Catholic Church has been doing this. The reforms made within the Church are now the model for everyone else in protecting children. The clean up isn’t over but we have made a good start.

I would say, however, that some of the blame for the scandal needs to be shared by members of the legal and psychological communities. Their advice over the last thirty to fifty years contributed greatly to the problem. Unfortunately, the Bishops believed too much and in some cases simply should have known better and should have ignored the advice. The repeat offenders proved that rehabilitation(?) just wasn’t getting it done.

It is unfortunate that the Catholic Church is getting all of the attention in that there are abusers still under the radar in other institutions both secular and religious. Until these get more attention changes may not come for a long time.

 

[estesbob]

Michael,

What you’ve said is pretty much on the money. Everyone needs to own up and take the heat for their own dirty laundry. The Catholic Church has been doing this. The reforms made within the Church are now the model for everyone else in protecting children. The clean up isn’t over but we have made a good start.

I would say, however, that some of the blame for the scandal needs to be shared by members of the legal and psychological communities. Their advice over the last thirty to fifty years contributed greatly to the problem. Unfortunately, the Bishops believed too much and in some cases simply should have known better and should have ignored the advice. The repeat offenders proved that rehabilitation(?) just wasn’t getting it done.

It is unfortunate that the Catholic Church is getting all of the attention in that there are abusers still under the radar in other institutions both secular and religious. Until these get more attention changes may not come for a long time.

Christ said the gates of hell would not prevail over his Chuch. The actions af a few thousand men over a 40 year span can not destroy the Church but it led us up- to the very gates of hell. IMO.

 

[Pax]

Agreed…and the Church will be better and stronger over time.

 

[pnewton]

I quit reading the article when I saw the first date, 1974 - 1992. Slow news day in Dallas? Let me guess, the reporters are incompetant buffons who have to dredge up an old story to look like they are “defenders of truth” and “protectors of society.” There is no news in this news and definitely nor journalism.

 

[inthecloud]

The CC deserves all the flak it gets - & one says that as a Catholic. Because the gap between its advertising & propaganda, & the many abominations this reveals, in unbridgeable. Only in the Catholic Church, which is “perfect”, & alone has “the fullness of truth”, would a Cardinal-Archbishop be shielded from prosecution for his negligence.

As a lapsed catholic I agree I does not matter what happened to the protestants (they have their own beam to take care off) or to secular teachers. The behavior of some bishops was scandalous.
The number of pedophiles priest was small when compared with clegy in other religions but the damage was huge becasue they kept passing the trash too much.
I think that the current Pope should use this as a excuse to do a shake up in the hierachy in some countries.