Lay Catholics included in archdiocean bankruptcy case

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Catholic29:
I only see vengence here on the part of the claimants and attorneys, and possibly judges if they rule in their favor. Where is the justice in holding 389,000 innocent parishioners liable for the crimes and injuries caused by a few pedophile priests?:confused:
Where is the justice? Nowhere. It isn’t about justice.

Maybe it’s about revenge as you mentioned.

Maybe it’s just about pure greed – getting in on a feeding frenzy while there’s still some to get.

Of the two, I think the pure greed is less scary because pure greed will quit when there is nothing left.

Alan
 
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TPJCatholic:
David,

Parishioners cannot run the parish themselves and still remain Catholic. They would become Protestant the moment they gain control.

How is that so ? :confused:

People are Protestant because they accept the validity of the Protestant interpretation of the Christian mystery instead of other interpretations of the Christian mystery - not because they, rather than the bishop of the diocese in which they are domiciled, control a parish.

Catholics have controlled parishes before, in the early history of the CC in the USA. Which is one of the reasons for the controversy over “trusteeism”: which, after rumbling on for a good while, was settled in favour of the bishops, leading to the status quo of today - but Rome did not imply that the lay trustees were any less Catholic. ##
 
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Catholic29:
This is just ridiculous,

I only see vengence here on the part of the claimants and attorneys, and possibly judges if they rule in their favor. Where is the justice in holding 389,000 innocent parishioners liable for the crimes and injuries caused by a few pedophile priests?:confused:

Sure many bishops have been complicit in facilitating the abuse (often on the erroneous advice of psychiatrists), I’ll say that much. But practically all of this has been blown WAY out of proportion, and has become a ruse to bring down the Catholic Church, its that simple.

IOW, it doesn’t matter - it’s “business as usual” until the next scandal blows up in the Church’s face 😦

“Bringing down the Church” is a good idea - if she were on her knees rather than lecturing the rest of the world, she might actually re-discover a sense of her duties, instead of making heself look ridiculous by preaching a message which she does not expect her own bishops to bother with. ##
It is time for the general public to take a breather and use a little common sense, rather than continue in false assumption and prejudice.

And I will leave you with this thought: **“Rome is NOT out to get your kids!” **And I will stand by that thought, even to the point of starring down the barrel of a gun…

What this means then, is that the bishops can behave appallingly - and get off scot-free, because the laity have no redress. No - the CC must not be allowed to forget what the authorities in her have done, until they have shown signs of contrition. To allow this vile episode to fade away, without learning from it what needs to be learned, would be grossly irresponsible.​

If it’s OK for priests to deny burial to those living in sin who are judged not to be contrite, let’s have the same standard applied to the rulers of the Church as well. Anyone can make verbal apologies - “even murderers and Mafiosi do as much”; until there is genuine reform, to make the bishops accountable for their evil-doing (and that does include the bishop of Rome, the Pope), there will be no reason to think that the bishops mean what they say or understand what they have done. Pious words don’t cut it.

Failure to repent and to reform makes a hollow mockery of the Church’s teaching on social justice and human rights. Catholics have a right to be molested, a right to Masses invalidated by the use of invalid matter, a right to be lied to - but no right whatever to bring their persecutors to justice.

And “persecution” is the word - for what is it but persecution when the scales of justice are weighted against the laity by the law of the Church ? This is nothing less than abominable - and that needs to be said as clearly as it possibly can be. It isn’t the state we should be afraid of, but churchmen who are (in the strictest sense of the word) irresponsible.

“But Christ did not found a democracy” - neither did he found a totalitarian state or a criminal combine. He seems to have been rather critical of religious hypocrisy, if Matthew 23 is any guide. True to form, Rome, far from disciplining Cardinal Law, rewards him, and punishes only the minor clergy; the mighty always escape. In a hundred years’ time, Law may be written up as a persecuted confessor who was hounded from his diocese - but not before then.

If this is nauseating to read, it was nauseating to write. The slipperiness of the Church when she has to face those she has harmed, is nauseating. ##
 
Gottle of Geer:
“Bringing down the Church” … bother with. ##
In this case looks are not deceiving.

Whatever is wrong with the Church is always somebody else’s fault. Blame the sheep, blame the Protestants, the press, the abortion industry, the society, Democrats, Republicans, liberals, the actual victims of her brutality, but just don’t blame the Church. After all, she is infallible although her people are admittedly sinners, right?

What this means then, is that the bishops can behave appallingly - and get off scot-free, … irresponsible.​

Yes, but you seem to be forgetting that the vast majority of priests have not, in fact molested anyone. Our statistics show that your chances of not being molested are, in fact, compatible with molestation rates in Protestant denominations and better than society at large. :yup:

Those who wish to take down the whole Church because of a few “incidents” don’t realize that the individual person is not nearly as important as the Church as a whole. Really they should recognize this and just eat it. Take one for the team.
If it’s OK for priests to deny burial to those living in sin who are judged not to be contrite, let’s have the same standard applied to the rulers of the Church as well. … Pious words don’t cut it.
Now, now, now. We appointed a commission to look into this situation, and find that the priest did, in fact, follow the rules. Therefore the priest was not at fault for doing anything wrong. He was simply following infallible laws that said in this case the woman was non-repentent and should not have a funeral. :tsktsk:
Failure to repent and to reform makes a hollow mockery of the Church’s teaching on social justice and human rights. Catholics have a right to be molested, a right to Masses invalidated by the use of invalid matter, a right to be lied to - but no right whatever to bring their persecutors to justice.
What? The Church has not changed for nearly 2000 years, when revelation ended with the death of the last apostle. She cannot change just because a few sinful priests abuse their positions of trust and spiritual authority. If you would rather shut down a diocese to line the pockets of a few greedy opportunists, then you are punishing thousands of innocent victims, and what do you have to say about that? :confused:
And “persecution” is the word - for what is it but persecution when the scales of justice are weighted against the laity by the law of the Church ? This is nothing less than abominable - and that needs to be said as clearly as it possibly can be. It isn’t the state we should be afraid of, but churchmen who are (in the strictest sense of the word) irresponsible.
The Church must have laws to protect herself. How could she survive 2000 years if she were not prepared to do combat with the state when necessary? The state certainly should be what we are afraid of, as this case in point illustrates the state is no friend of the Church. The Church has been God’s Church for 2000 years and her laws are given by God through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father, and the teaching magisterium of the Church. Changing Church laws is crazy talk. :whacky: Next you liberals will insist the Church allows married lesbians to become priests. :banghead:
“But Christ did not found a democracy” - neither did he found a totalitarian state or a criminal combine. He seems to have been rather critical of religious hypocrisy, if Matthew 23 is any guide.
Again, you keep insinuating that the Church did something wrong when in fact only her leaders did something wrong. Besides, didn’t Rome apologize to the victims already? Why can’t we get over what is past and lead our Church into the future?

Plus, you bring to light Matthew 23, which doesn’t seem to support your claim. Verse 3 states, “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” Clearly Jesus is talking about cafeteria Catholics because cafeteria Catholic do not practice by virtue of the fact that they are not obedient to the Church. Jesus clearly does find it hypocritical that marginal Catholics go around claiming to be Catholic and preaching in the Church’s name, but do not even agree 100% with her teachings. :eek:
If this is nauseating to read, it was nauseating to write. The slipperiness of the Church when she has to face those she has harmed, is nauseating. ##
Yes, slippery. That’s about what this topic makes me think of. When cafeteria Catholics and Protestants criticize the infallible teachings of the Holy Catholic Church it is rather disheartening, because who knows who might hear them and believe their lies? It makes me want to puke.

😉

Alan
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Where is the justice? Nowhere. It isn’t about justice.

Maybe it’s about revenge as you mentioned.

Maybe it’s just about pure greed – getting in on a feeding frenzy while there’s still some to get.

Of the two, I think the pure greed is less scary because pure greed will quit when there is nothing left.

Alan
I no longer support this point of view. It still may be about those things, but may not.

Alan
 
If anyone needed an exposition on what the motivation is of some of those who want the church to pay and pay and pay, we sure got it in the long reply above.
 
I’d just think they should make the individual Priest pay for it…
If you sue a layman for the same thing, you’d sue him directly…
You can’t sue his family, his neighbors, his place of business, ect…
 
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CatholicCid:
If you sue a layman for the same thing, you’d sue him directly…You can’t sue his family, his neighbors, his place of business, ect…
You are absolutely wrong. These priests used their position within the RCC to prey upon children. There is much evidence that Church leadership facilitated this abuse through incompetant leadership, stupidity (called gross neglegence) and very poor choices. This makes the institution culpable.

A boyscout leader caught doing something like this can place loads of liability upon the organization IF one can prove neglegence on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America. Neighboorhood associations can (and have) been held liable for damages to parties injured in cooperatively owned properties. Places of business are the single greatest target of tort law in America. Even a family could be sued if you demonstrate their culpability.

You are speaking out of anger and emotion, certainly not from an understanding of civil law.

Nohome
 
Excuse the bishops,hell No.They made it possible for the number of children to be so high.The molesters could not have molested as many children without the help of the bishops.Yet the bishops are still not punished !
A few have been forced to resign, by the civil authorities. The church has done nothing to the bishops that helped the pedophiles, except protect them.
 
Even at the highest level of our souls in this life, we fail to love one another. Choose your playing field, won’t matter, its all about “what I want”. Victims of evil deeds need our love, protection from further harm (so that means those who allowed the evildoer to continue must also face up to their responsible part). Its part of this world that evil is allowed to happen and we will be judged for our part in it, that will happen and it won’t be about money! Meanwhile, back at the ranch, misled people may get carried away over who to point the finger at, shoot, or take all their worldy goods and shun them. Pray that our minds can lead our souls to have mercy and justice - the mercy will come from God’s love - the worldy justice depends on how much greed is involved. I pray that the Catholic Faithful will not become “homeless” but we know the 'Gates of Hell will not Prevail Against It". Hang on! this may be a wild ride!
 
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CatholicCid:
I’d just think they should make the individual Priest pay for it…most priest take vow of poverty…so where is the money going to come from.???
You can’t sue his family, his neighbors, his place of business, ect…
The diocese are being sued because the people that molested kids have no funds of their own…also they should be held responsible as they did nothing to stop the molesting.
 
The Bishops that hoped Bankruptcy would save them seem to have been wrong. Their attempt at claiming that the parishes do not belong to the diocese.That could be very interesting. Can you imagine if they got Rome to officialy admit that the diocese does not own the local parish. The chaos would be incredible. Parish councils would start to actualy have some meaning. The pastor would become an employee of the Parish.Do not worry Rome is never going to allow that !
 
the stench of greed from some so called victims can almost be smelled across the atlantic, what happened to these people was wrong(if it did happen at all), i would not like to be in their shoes when they finally meet god and explain why they sued and shut his church on earth
 
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JOHNYJ:
The Bishops that hoped Bankruptcy would save them seem to have been wrong. Their attempt at claiming that the parishes do not belong to the diocese.That could be very interesting. Can you imagine if they got Rome to officialy admit that the diocese does not own the local parish. The chaos would be incredible. Parish councils would start to actualy have some meaning. The pastor would become an employee of the Parish.Do not worry Rome is never going to allow that !
Lets take this one step at a time…
  1. The Vatican has always held that the diocese does not own the local parish. Read canon law.
  2. Just because the archdiocese doesn’t own the the parish doesn’t mean the priest isn’t his employee. Does an EMT who makes housecalls own each house he goes to? Does the fact he make housecalls make him immune to the training and rules of the hospital he works for?
  3. Portland is the only archdiocese in bankruptcy having this problem. In the other 2 diocese, the plaintiffs readily acknowledged that parish property was not owned by the diocese, and a payment plan was easily developed. Portland is unique in that there are two specific plaintiffs demanding 250 million dollars and won’t take no for an answer. Rather then allowing funds to be spread evenly among all plaintiffs, they are wanting to take it all for themselves.
Josh
 
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David_Paul:
Tort law is becoming revenge and punishment when it is designed to make an injuried party whole. We can all agree a victim needs something. But how much? Does $10 million restore a person to his pre-injured state better than $5 million or $1 million? At some point an award simply sticks it to the individual or organization which committed the tort. In the case of institutions, those who pay the settlement often had nothing at all to do with the injury.

That is not justice.
Punitive damages should be restricted and also equally distributed to each and every “customer”. That would dissuade many of the outrageous lawsuits.
 
It might be called normal progression.The first cases the bishops fought tooth and nail to stop. They did every thing they could think of to obstruct and delay the cases.This of course irritated the hell out of the defense which made them even more vengeful than they had been.It also irritated the judges because it took up so much of their time.So when the cases were finaly heard the diocese were hit harder because they had been such pains in the Butt. That is human nature.The bishops contiued this strategy from Boston to Orange California.With the same results.
Now we are at a pont where they have realised that all this obstruction is a mistake.That settling fast is the best idea. So yes unscroupulous people may be taking advantage of this, as the diocese have become what you might call Gun shy.
Only Los Angeles is still fighting tooth and nail to hide its mistakes. Rumour has it with good reason,Cardinal Mahony is rumoured to have a record worse than Cardinal Law’s.
 
What a financial and legal mess.

This case has ramifications which extend far past the current lawsuits and judgements in question. Our Episcopalian friends are having conservative parishes split from liberal dioceses and vice versa over the homosexual issue, and they have a similar legal position where the bishops have legal title to the parish properties.

I will be intensely interested in seeing how it pans out, but I’d hate to see the plaintiffs who suffered now suffer more by getting cheated out of some of the damages.

It just wouldn’t be right, maybe some of the other dioceses might be able to help bail out Portland and get this concern behind the church.
 
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Nohome:
The sex scandal and the resulting law suites are a perfect example that we do not have a justice system in America, we have a legal system.

If we had a justice system, the victims would receive adequate compensation (no more) and the offenders (including the bishops that facilitated the crimes) would all be in prison.

Nohome
It’s hard to set up a formal justice system, especially since Solomon is dead.

There are people who compensate or make amends without being dragged to court or who reconcile without counting whether they have recovered every gram of flesh that they’re owed. That’s our justice system, such as it is. When that fails, the legal system is what we’re left with.
 
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