Priests and or bishops guilty of horrible crimes should be tried by law, convicted if the evidence supports it and put in jail as any other law breaker. Throw away the key! That is accountability.
Fair offers of settlements made by the Church is also Catholic.
The shame comes in when innocent bishops who were not even bishops or priests when abuses occurred are painted as guilty, spit upon and insulted. The shame comes when innocent Catholics in the pews are made to pay for the crimes of men they never met, for crimes committed years ago. The shame comes when those who are dead and gone and cannot either defend themselves or cannot pay the price of their guilt by serving their sentence. The shame comes when the people of a diocese are made to serve the sentence in terms of churchs, schools and property sold to pay settlements.
This is reminicent of the days when the family of a man found guitly was punished along with him.
If your deceased grandfather were to be found guilty of abuse would you find it acceptable to have your family savings and home (in no way inherited from him) sold to pay a settlement? How about including gifts given to you by your friends? How about if your grandmother knew but didn’t step in…are you now accountable for them both? How about if you are only a grandchild through a recent adoption? How about if you weren’t even alive when all that happened? How far back should we go? One generation? Two? No limitations? Will your grandchildren also be responsible for future claims?
You may offer a fair settlement for counseling, pray for them, offer aid in anyway fesible because you see the injury and as a Catholic want to help them. But you would not ask you children or grandchildren to give up their homes or their futures. That would be irresponsible in your role as parent.
Hold those who’s behavior has been proven to be criminal accountable and quit looking for deep pockets among the innocent.
