Pa. Monsignor Get 3-6 Years

[coachkfan1]

news.yahoo.com/pa-monsignor-gets-3-6-years-sex-abuse-154117156.html

Not sure whether the man was railroaded or what and also not sure about the sentence. I am also unsure about how we as Catholics should feel about the law going after abusers superiors. It could turn into a witch hunt, or it could turn into a much needed house cleaning.

Perhaps some from the Pennsylvania area who know more about the case or anyone else could weigh in on this.

 

[PatriceA]

As a Catholic and given the Penn State Scandal and also living in PA, I am 100% going after ANYBODY that knowlingly did nothing to prevent or covered up a crime hurting a child.

 

[dontknow]

Thank goodness. Unfortunately way too many got away.

 

[Corki]

news.yahoo.com/pa-monsignor-gets-3-6-years-sex-abuse-154117156.html

Not sure whether the man was railroaded or what and also not sure about the sentence. I am also unsure about how we as Catholics should feel about the law going after abusers superiors. It could turn into a witch hunt, or it could turn into a much needed house cleaning.

Perhaps some from the Pennsylvania area who know more about the case or anyone else could weigh in on this.

My only problem with this verdict is that the Vicar who was in charge of priest assignments got a stiffer sentence than the actual abuser.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia after sentencing of Monsignor William Lynn

From the challenges the Church has faced both nationally and locally over the past decade, we understand the full gravity of sexual abuse. This year and even this week, Pennsylvania has been the epicenter of this issue, and we know there is legitimate anger in the broad community toward any incident or enabling of sexual abuse. The trial of the past several months has been especially difficult for victims, and we profoundly regret their pain

The public humiliation of the Church has emphasized the vital lesson that we must be constantly vigilant in our charge to protect the children in our parishes and schools. Since the events some ten years ago that were at the center of this trial, the Archdiocese has changed. We have taken dramatic steps to ensure that all young people in our care are safe, and these efforts will continue even more forcefully now and in the years ahead

We remain committed to protecting children and caring for victims. Fair-minded people will question the severity of the heavy, three to six year sentence imposed on Msgr. Lynn today. We hope that when this punishment is objectively reviewed, it will be adjusted

We pray for Msgr. Lynn and his family at this difficult time

archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002013.php

 

[kompaz]

My only problem with this verdict is that the Vicar who was in charge of priest assignments got a stiffer sentence than the actual abuser.

It can be argued that abusers are mentally sick, and require treatment and isolation rather than strictly punishment.

On the other hand, the one who covers abusers by reassigning them is obviously mentally fit, and should recognize consequences of his own actions…

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Monsignor William Lynn is taking the fall for his Bishop whom the prosecutors couldn’t go after, because he is dead.

All priest assignments have to be approved by the Bishop and the Monsignor did not perform his duties in a vacuum

Jim

 

[hannajomar]

I am also unsure about how we as Catholics should feel about the law going after abusers superiors. It could turn into a witch hunt, or it could turn into a much needed house cleaning.

I believe that every citizen should be treated equally under the law, no matter if they are a cleric, a plumber, a homeless person, or president of USA. I also agree that we should be legally bound to report child abuse to law enforcement. I don’t know many details of this case. But if he broke laws and indirectly is responsible for children getting hurt, I have no problem with him getting punished.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

It can be argued that abusers are mentally sick, and require treatment and isolation rather than strictly punishment.

The statistics on rehabilitation are not, nor were ever very good.

We pray for the victims and all souls tortured by these tragic circumstances.

 

[St_Donatus]

I am about as angered as anyone, not only for the children that were abused, but also for the damage that it has done to the Catholic Churches reputation. How many people will not be saved because of these terrible things? Not only are these priests responsible for the souls of these abused people but of those who reject the Catholic church because of this. Are these priests also responsible for their losing ever lasting life.

But, most of us don’t know the whole story because the media doesn’t tell it to us. Most of this occurred after the touchy feely days after Vatican II when love, forgiveness, and understanding was all that was important when dealing with sinners. Whether they were young people going to jail for crimes, people committing fornication, or priests abusing children. The seminaries were teaching priests how they must be understanding and that usually these ‘sins’ were due to some psychological pain someone was under. The new religion of science trumping the Catholic Churches long standing beliefs of two thousand years was popular. All they had to do is send these priests for treatment and therapy. Once they finished and the science of psychology had told the Bishop that the priest was cured, we can show true forgiveness and put them back to work (but in a different parish so those old orthodox Catholics don’t get in a huff).

Now after all those changes, we see the Catholic Church in a free fall in the US. Not only is it loosing member, but churches are closing because of lawsuits draining the church of its much needed funds.

We need to return the church to its pre Vatican II reverence for the mass, Eucharist, and God. Vatican II wasn’t supposed to be a license to do whatever you want, it was to make the mass and church more accessible to the laity. Once we do that, and get a bit more orthodox, these pedophiles and homosexuals will be drummed out of the clergy and the Church will receive Gods full blessing again.

 

[clem456]

Now after all those changes, we see the Catholic Church in a free fall in the US. Not only is it loosing member, but churches are closing because of lawsuits draining the church of its much needed funds.

Do statistics bear this out?

We need to return the church to its pre Vatican II reverence for the mass, Eucharist, and God. Vatican II wasn’t supposed to be a license to do whatever you want, it was to make the mass and church more accessible to the laity. Once we do that, and get a bit more orthodox, these pedophiles and homosexuals will be drummed out of the clergy and the Church will receive Gods full blessing again

Vatican 2 has nothing to do with this. Please don’t confuse the effects of liberal secular culture on individuals and society in general, with Church teaching.

 

[St_Donatus]

Do statistics bear this out?

Vatican 2 has nothing to do with this. Please don’t confuse the effects of liberal secular culture on individuals and society in general, with Church teaching.

I am not saying that Church teachings had anything to do with it, it was the reaction to those teachings. Most in the US clergy seemed to think the changes were an excuse to try out new things, preach their personal opinions, and teach many of the philosophies of the times. This is what has caused this problem. Perhaps it was just the changes of Vatican II smacked into the liberal 1960s and things got out of hand. But we look into history and in very liberal times, for example the times of the Renaissance, when nudity was seen as beautiful and women were exposing their full breasts in public as a fashion statement, we still didn’t see this kind of full scale challenges to the church.

 

[Corki]

I believe that every citizen should be treated equally under the law, no matter if they are a cleric, a plumber, a homeless person, or president of USA. I also agree that we should be legally bound to report child abuse to law enforcement. I don’t know many details of this case. But if he broke laws and indirectly is responsible for children getting hurt, I have no problem with him getting punished.

Well, if that’s the case, he should have been given probation. As his lawyer pointed out, the “endangering” charge almost never results in prison time. So, he should get a punishment that is equal to what any plumber might get if convicted of the same charge. But the judges comments make it pretty clear that she was treating this case differently because he was a Catholic priest.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with his sentance but that it is not accurate to say he is being treated like any other citizen.

 

[Gefra]

This priest had no authority to assign or reassign anybody. The Cardinal Archbishop made those decisions. Upon learning about the crimes committed by the priests of the Philadelphia Diocese, the monsignor failed to notify the proper law enforcement authorities and instead followed the procedures instituted by his superiors. His decision to do so has now cost him his freedom. In 2003, Governor Frank Keating, head of the National Catholic Review Board, stated that “eventually it will all come out” referring to the facts concerning the widespread sexual abuse of minors by priests. Some of “it” has come out, but not “all” of it. Not yet.

 

[threedogday]

Monsignor William Lynn is taking the fall for his Bishop whom the prosecutors couldn’t go after, because he is dead.

All priest assignments have to be approved by the Bishop and the Monsignor did not perform his duties in a vacuum

Jim

From what i have read elsewhere, this is a fair statement. It is my understanding that Fr. Lynn DID take it to his superiors and no one paid attention. There were a few other bishops that were mentioned in the trial as having participated in this debauchery that have not, heretofore, been investigated.

 

[threedogday]

This priest had no authority to assign or reassign anybody. The Cardinal Archbishop made those decisions. Upon learning about the crimes committed by the priests of the Philadelphia Diocese, the monsignor failed to notify the proper law enforcement authorities and instead followed the procedures instituted by his superiors. His decision to do so has now cost him his freedom. In 2003, Governor Frank Keating, head of the National Catholic Review Board, stated that “eventually it will all come out” referring to the facts concerning the widespread sexual abuse of minors by priests. Some of “it” has come out, but not “all” of it. Not yet.

If the prosecutors are serious, it will come out. Between the Penn State scandal and the Philly priest grand jury report, I think the people in PA might be getting rather fed up as being the poster children for child sexual abuse.

 

[Seeker1961]

I believe that every citizen should be treated equally under the law, no matter if they are a cleric, a plumber, a homeless person, or president of USA. I also agree that we should be legally bound to report child abuse to law enforcement. I don’t know many details of this case. But if he broke laws and indirectly is responsible for children getting hurt, I have no problem with him getting punished.

Not only do I not have a problem with it, I hope that every single person who was directly or indirectly responsible for the abuse of children is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I don’t care who they are.

 

[zab]

As a Catholic and given the Penn State Scandal and also living in PA, I am 100% going after ANYBODY that knowlingly did nothing to prevent or covered up a crime hurting a child.

The rules of the Archdiocese are extremely more severe today than they were 20 years ago. Now, it is like a person who has been accused of sexual abuse is guilty until proven innocent and must be removed immediately. I don’t know of any other organization that is as strict as the Catholic Church is today of protection against sexual abuse. Not even the police arrest someone who they know is guilty even of murder if they do not have enough solid evidence. If my parents were still living and they were to be judged today by rules that we must follow today of things they allowed their children to do in the 50’s, they would be in jailed for child neglect or endangerment. It is easy to look back after the fact and say he should have done this or that.

 

[dixieagle]

I am not saying that Church teachings had anything to do with it, it was the reaction to those teachings. Most in the US clergy seemed to think the changes were an excuse to try out new things, preach their personal opinions, and teach many of the philosophies of the times. This is what has caused this problem. Perhaps it was just the changes of Vatican II smacked into the liberal 1960s and things got out of hand. But we look into history and in very liberal times, for example the times of the Renaissance, when nudity was seen as beautiful and women were exposing their full breasts in public as a fashion statement, we still didn’t see this kind of full scale challenges to the church.

I can promise you that this was a problem WAY before the 1960s and Vatican II. nytimes.com/2009/04/03/us/03church.html/

The Fr. Fitzgerald who is the subject of this article was a dear friend of my (saintly) great-aunt, and he told her back as far as the 1940s that child/adolescent sexual abuse was a significant problem that would cause great scandal if the hierarchy didn’t put a stop to it. He knew what he was talking about, apparently.

 

[OriginalJS]

Monsignor William Lynn is taking the fall for his Bishop whom the prosecutors couldn’t go after, because he is dead.

All priest assignments have to be approved by the Bishop and the Monsignor did not perform his duties in a vacuum

Jim

I agree with you. But, this is a version of the “just following orders” defense that has been rejected in the western world since WWII, even in situations where failure to follow orders would have resulted in death.