Catholic Diocese of Rochester files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

[MamaJewel]

Once laws are changed so outlandishly ex post facto decades later, talk of justice is absurd.

The statute of limitations was lifted for 1 year in New York because we know have proof that church leaders deliberately thwarted justice by their cover-up.

Victims did come forward in many cases and it was the church’s deliberate “inaction” with the hope that the statute of limitations would run out, that these victims were denied any chance at justice.

Do you see what I’m saying?

On top of that, multiple victims went to their bishop to be reassured that their case was isolated. These victims did not go straight to authorities because they felt that they could trust their bishop to take care of the issue and make sure they had fair restitution. They were given inadequate settlements (not enough money to maintain consistent counseling services) and they were lied to because many priests had harmed others at the parish as well.

And I’ve thought of another thing.

Instead of going to law enforcement, the Church hierarchy saw fit to place these offending priests into rehabilitation facilities. Wouldn’t that have been the duty of a criminal judge to order?

In the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, wasn’t child sexual assault a criminal action? If yes, the Bishops and other church leaders would have been obligated from a theological position to tell the priest to turn himself in to authorities, or they would do so themselves.

Once church leaders knew of criminal activity, they had the responsibility(Christian duty) to remove the priest from ministry.

If they argue that they weren’t sure a crime was committed, then they had a responsibility to have an investigation done by police to determine the truth.

There’s no way for the church to get out of this. There are 10s of thousands of pages of legal documentation from the past 30 + years that prove Bishops and other Church leaders intentionally thwarted justice to protect church reputation from actions of abusive priests.

 

[pnewton]

The statute of limitations was lifted for 1 year in New York because…

You have your opinion of why this happened. I have mine. The issue of justice does not change. Time still exists.

 

[MamaJewel]

You have your opinion of why this happened. I have mine. The issue of justice does not change. Time still exists.

In the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, wasn’t child sexual assault a criminal action? If yes, the Bishops and other church leaders would have been obligated from a theological position to tell the priest to turn himself in to authorities, or they would do so themselves.

Once church leaders knew of criminal activity, they had the responsibility(Christian duty) to remove the priest from ministry.

If they argue that they weren’t sure a crime was committed, then they had a responsibility to have an investigation done by police to determine the truth.

If child sexual assault was illegal in the past 50 years, then it was not the place of the Church hierarchy to send offending priests into rehab, it was the job of the criminal justice system.

 

[Donkey]

child sexual assault was illegal in the past 50 years

Consider how child sex abuse cases from the past and even present show up in other sectors…not just Church. Do school systems go back 50 years or has the statute of limitations remained? Boys scouts? At any rate, this all reflects badly on how society as a whole treat children. The current situation in New York is what it is. Just like other dioceses in other states, we hope to be purified and move onwards and upwards.

 

[MamaJewel]

Consider how child sex abuse cases from the past and even present show up in other sectors…not just Church.

What would the purpose of doing so be? Why should I consider what happened in other sectors? How would doing so be relevant to the RCC and its treatment of child-victims?

Do school systems go back 50 years or has the statute of limitations remained?

They do now in New York under the Child Victims Act. Looking at this part of the new law, it wasn’t just the Church that had an issue with adults harming children. Also, this shows that it definitely is not the church being singled-out and persecuted either.

Eliminates the notice of claim requirements for such actions when the action is brought against a municipality, the state or a school district

At any rate, this all reflects badly on how society as a whole treat children.

The way society as a whole treated children is irrelevant to how the Church treated children. If there’s one verse about wrong-doing in scripture that stands out among all others, it’s Matthew 18:6 where Jesus states:

• But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

we hope to be purified and move onwards and upwards.

Of course we do. But at the end of the day, this isn’t about us…
This is about Christ, beaten, bruised, stripped, and whipped for the salvation of human souls.
I can’t even fathom God’s wrath at this moment over this scandal. As a very recent revert back to the Faith, I tremble in great fear over this.

The Church has people who, as children, suffered the gravest of grave wrongs against them. In this moment of God’s time, the followers of Christ in the RCC are responsible for doing all in our power to see that these victims receive adequate reparations so they can heal and move onward.

 

[pnewton]

. In this moment of God’s time, the followers of Christ in the RCC are responsible for doing all in our power to see that these victims receive adequate reparations so they can heal and move onward.

I understand the need for reparations for justice, but I tell you, money will not heal anyone.

 

[MamaJewel]

I understand the need for reparations for justice, but I tell you, money will not heal anyone.

I totally agree.

I would have absolutely no problem with providing victims life-long access to any mental health/ substance abuse/ or addiction help they need. Nutrition assistance and access to medical care would also be appropriate since that type of harm usually results in very risky and unhealthy behaviors in adulthood.

Another reparation could be the establishment of Gift of Life Centers at various parishes within each diocese in thoughtful consideration of the survivors of abuse. These centers could offer services that respect the human dignity from womb to tomb.

Another thing that can be done is to allow survivors on the the diocesan abuse prevention committees.

 

[Donkey]

Why should I consider what happened in other sectors? How would doing so be relevant to the RCC and its treatment of child-victims?

The way society as a whole treated children is irrelevant to how the Church treated children.

We should consider how all children are treated in all places. The bigger picture tells a story of neglect and abuse all the way across the board. I’m sorry you can’t see how the bigger picture matters.

 

[MamaJewel]

I’m sorry you can’t see how the bigger picture matters.

As a survivor (not from any religious or clergy), I will dissect the issue by sector because different groups appear to have varying motives to keeping silent (or even actually actively participating) in the blatant harm of children.

I think the most wicked group I’ve seen yet were those involved in the justice system.Some used their power to harm and murder minors. Many of those suffering children were thrown into hidden, unmarked graves when the adults finished using them. Decades later, grown men who are grandfathers are still terrified to speak of what they witnessed or experienced at the hands of those monsters. I have a gut instinct these tortures are occurring today in some US locations.

So, to me, the RCC is accountable for its role in any harms done to kids, but the church does not own what other groups in society did. And trust me, sadly, the RCC is not the only religion where children have been harmed.

 

[commenter]

Themediareport.com

This is a resource for information about the sex abuse scandal, unavailable from secular or Catholic sources I have seen. Take it with a grain of salt, like other media.