Priest flees country on eve of testimony in California sex-abuse case

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spectre88

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After reading the story and the comment below. I couldn’t help to wonder if fleeing was the right thing to do even if Fr. Kelly is innocent. As much as I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is innocent especially considering the comment of “dfp3234574.”

Regardless of guilt or innocence, I still can’t help but to wonder if it would have been best to just “embrace” the cross he was given. Wasn’t our Lord also innocent of the crimes he was accused of which ultimately lead to his crucifixion? I know it’s easier said than done but it just seems like it might have been the right thing to do especially since fleeing would almost make him look like he is guilty to the eyes of the public. I would think this might cause the bruised eyes of the Church to become even more black and swollen. Just my own humble and ignorant opinion.

catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14032
 
I know him personally. I would be shocked if the allegations are true. I don’t blame him for leaving. He has given 4 years of his life to these cases. The upcoming cases would probably take even more time.

The (I want to use a bad word, but won’t) lawyer makes a living suing priests/diocese. I love that Father Kelly has denied him making more money off of the Church.
 
spectre88 said:
After reading the story and the comment below. I couldn’t help to wonder if fleeing was the right thing to do even if Fr. Kelly is innocent. As much as I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is innocent especially considering the comment of “dfp3234574.”

Regardless of guilt or innocence, I still can’t help but to wonder if it would have been best to just “embrace” the cross he was given. Wasn’t our Lord also innocent of the crimes he was accused of which ultimately lead to his crucifixion? I know it’s easier said than done but it just seems like it might have been the right thing to do especially since fleeing would almost make him look like he is guilty to the eyes of the public. I would think this might cause the bruised eyes of the Church to become even more black and swollen. Just my own humble and ignorant opinion.

catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14032
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Amen- fleeing makes him look guilty.
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
I know him personally. I would be shocked if the allegations are true. I don’t blame him for leaving. He has given 4 years of his life to these cases. The upcoming cases would probably take even more time.

The (I want to use a bad word, but won’t) lawyer makes a living suing priests/diocese. I love that Father Kelly has denied him making more money off of the Church.
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I’m sorry for your loss. At least you will remain united by the spirit. You do bring up a good point though that it is somewhat of a good thing that this lawyer was prevented from robbing any more money from the Stockton diocese. I must say though I am still compelled to feel that maybe it might have been best to take up the cross. However, I do understand that God does give us the choice to take up the crown of martyrdom whether it be physically, socially, etc.

Either way my family’s prayers are will you all.
 
spectre88 said:
I’m sorry for your loss. At least you will remain united by the spirit. You do bring up a good point though that it is somewhat of a good thing that this lawyer was prevented from robbing any more money from the Stockton diocese. I must say though I am still compelled to feel that maybe it might have been best to take up the cross. However, I do understand that God does give us the choice to take up the crown of martyrdom whether it be physically, socially, etc.

Either way my family’s prayers are will you all.
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Thank you very much.

Prayers offered for you, too.🙂
 
To be clear:

Father Kelly was convicted based on “evidence” obtained by repressed memory therapy, which is not recognized as a legit therapy. He took, and passed, 2 lie detector tests. Those were disallowed. Go figure.
 
My gut feeling (I know I shouldn’t always trust the gut) is that he’s innocent and I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be in his shoes. I will be praying for him and everybody in the situation.
 
Hi;

“Almost” innocent is an interesting word combination, but, He is guilty of breaking American or State law. Jesus told us to abide by those, I believe. Russ
spectre88 said:
After reading the story and the comment below. I couldn’t help to wonder if fleeing was the right thing to do even if Fr. Kelly is innocent. As much as I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is innocent especially considering the comment of “dfp3234574.”

Regardless of guilt or innocence, I still can’t help but to wonder if it would have been best to just “embrace” the cross he was given. Wasn’t our Lord also innocent of the crimes he was accused of which ultimately lead to his crucifixion? I know it’s easier said than done but it just seems like it might have been the right thing to do especially since fleeing would almost make him look like he is guilty to the eyes of the public. I would think this might cause the bruised eyes of the Church to become even more black and swollen. Just my own humble and ignorant opinion.

catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14032
Click to expand...
 
I can not blame the man for not wanting to face our justice system. He is facing a charge that allows a conviction based only on accusation and a vacuum of physical evidence. Lie detectors may not be positive (though the are pretty reliable when one passes), but they are far better than relying only on the one who accuses.
 
russtoo said:
Hi;

“Almost” innocent is an interesting word combination, but, He is guilty of breaking American or State law. Jesus told us to abide by those, I believe. Russ
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Really? The criminal trial found him innocent.
 
Unless Fr. Kelly decides to return on his own, it will be difficult to prosecute him further
Patrick Piggott, a Stockton attorney and dean of the Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law, said proceedings to force Kelly to return from Ireland cannot be initiated unless charges are filed against him. And even then, Piggott said, there is no guarantee of success in an extradition proceeding.
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“You have to go through a pretty complicated process to submit it to a foreign government,” Piggott said. “Then, they have the right to evaluate the case themselves. Nothing is going to happen quickly.”
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recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120418/A_NEWS/204180326

The bishop of Stockton, upon receiving Fr. Kelly’s letter of departure, notified the prosecuting lawyer and law enforcement officials. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire also made a public statement imploring Fr. Kelly to return.
sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/04/16/lockeford-priest-held-liable-of-sexual-assault-in-civil-suit-flees-to-ireland/
 
russtoo said:
Hi;

“Almost” innocent is an interesting word combination, but, He is guilty of breaking American or State law. Jesus told us to abide by those, I believe. Russ
Click to expand...
It was a civil suit, not a criminal one. Those are typically decided on the ability of the lawyer or the sympathy of the judge (who in this case allowed questionable evidence while disallowing perhaps stronger evidence).

His only questionable action is ignoring the subpoena. Since he, arguably, is a victim of religious persecution, the action is understandable; perhaps even laudable.
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
I know him personally. I would be shocked if the allegations are true. I don’t blame him for leaving. He has given 4 years of his life to these cases. The upcoming cases would probably take even more time…
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Cases? The story only mentioned one case. How many alleged victims are there?
 
Julia_Mae said:
Cases? The story only mentioned one case. How many alleged victims are there?
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The first case was criminal. He was found innocent. The other cases are civil.

The lawyer (who, again, makes a living ONLY suing priests/the Church) keeps producing “victims” (including the one in this case, who didn’t even know he had been a victim, until he underwent repressed memory “therapy”).
 
Do a search of repressed memory therapy. Pretty enlightening.
 
On a related but different note, what happens when a priest goes AWOL on his bishop like this? Is he still allowed to function as a priest?
 
spectre88 said:
On a related but different note, what happens when a priest goes AWOL on his bishop like this? Is he still allowed to function as a priest?
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Bishop Blair has already removed his public faculties. I would say that Father Kelly is too honorable to try to perform priestly functions in Ireland over the decision of his bishop.
 
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