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JimG
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More Pa. jury report analysis:
http://www.themediareport.com/2018/08/22/msgr-benestad-false-accusation/
http://www.themediareport.com/2018/08/22/msgr-benestad-false-accusation/
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bullish1
Guest
What is your point? He was eulogized by Wuerl by it wasn’t a eulogy? I have no idea what that difference is but, OK. I am sorry to have said your comment was a “stupid” red-herring. It was simply a red-herring. Please stick to decorum in this debate and avoid your own name calling and casting guilt by association.
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bullish1
Guest
This was from another article.
A Glowing Eulogy
The U.S. State Department worked with the Swedish embassy in Havana to get Zirwas’ body back to the United States, and his funeral was held in June 2001, presided over by the bishop of Pittsburgh. He was accompanied by Bp. William Winter and 21 priests.
“The one thing we know is that George Zirwas responded to God’s call” in the priesthood, Wuerl said during his homily. Wuerl went on to praise the accused pederast for his “kindness” as a pastor, going on to console mourners that the priest had gone to Heaven.
The funeral Mass indicated “great confidence that Father George will experience new life in Christ,” Wuerl said.
He restored Zirwas to the full honor of priesthood, calling him by the title “Father Zirwas,” a name the priest had been forbidden to use ever since he was placed on leave in 1995 following yet another allegation of sex abuse.
My point is simply that two different Priests with two vastly different circumstances were handled in vastly different ways by Cardinal Wuerl. One Priest with 1st hand knowledge of a woman’s gravely sinful status was discreetly denied communion and he was Relieved of duties. The other gravely sinful Priest pederist was transferred around, had actions covered up, was paid hush money and retired to Cuba with his Diocese stipend where he was killed by a gay lover.
It is my hope that former Priest Zirwas claimed salvation prior to death. We will never know. It is also my hope that Cardinal Wuerl will come clean about his actions involving this and other serious allegations levied against him. I hope that truth and justice prevails, what ever that is.
A Glowing Eulogy
The U.S. State Department worked with the Swedish embassy in Havana to get Zirwas’ body back to the United States, and his funeral was held in June 2001, presided over by the bishop of Pittsburgh. He was accompanied by Bp. William Winter and 21 priests.
“The one thing we know is that George Zirwas responded to God’s call” in the priesthood, Wuerl said during his homily. Wuerl went on to praise the accused pederast for his “kindness” as a pastor, going on to console mourners that the priest had gone to Heaven.
The funeral Mass indicated “great confidence that Father George will experience new life in Christ,” Wuerl said.
He restored Zirwas to the full honor of priesthood, calling him by the title “Father Zirwas,” a name the priest had been forbidden to use ever since he was placed on leave in 1995 following yet another allegation of sex abuse.
My point is simply that two different Priests with two vastly different circumstances were handled in vastly different ways by Cardinal Wuerl. One Priest with 1st hand knowledge of a woman’s gravely sinful status was discreetly denied communion and he was Relieved of duties. The other gravely sinful Priest pederist was transferred around, had actions covered up, was paid hush money and retired to Cuba with his Diocese stipend where he was killed by a gay lover.
It is my hope that former Priest Zirwas claimed salvation prior to death. We will never know. It is also my hope that Cardinal Wuerl will come clean about his actions involving this and other serious allegations levied against him. I hope that truth and justice prevails, what ever that is.
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Annie
Guest
Wow. I do think one of the things that should happen to these priests is that they should be publically stripped of any honors, and have their priestly clothes removed.
And CERTAINLY no fancy funerals! Just small funerals like those of poor parishioners. No bishops.
And CERTAINLY no fancy funerals! Just small funerals like those of poor parishioners. No bishops.
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Joe_5859
Guest
And that is happening at present.
I agree, and I would be very surprised if such a thing happened after 2002. Why Cardinal Wuerl presided over this priest’s funeral back in 2001, I won’t venture to guess.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Here we go again with the coverup allegations.
I’ve just accepted that no matter what facts you present to people to show that the Church in USA is dealing with this stuff now, someone is going to claim coverup or that the higher-ups were “too nice” to some priest (it’s a funeral, people were mourning; obviously this person did some good in his life along with the bad - and I sincerely doubt that the bishop said he “went to Heaven” because that statement would be against Catholic teaching even if the person had lived a saintly life, we have no idea if someone went to Heaven or not) or didn’t do enough.
Dr. David Burns, the author of “Feeling Good” (a book I’d recommend, it certainly changed my life a couple decades ago), noted that no matter what someone does or accomplishes in their life, they can always negate or minimize that by saying, “I could have done more.” This was one of the thinking errors he pointed out that we need to avoid if we’re going to make progress. Unfortunately, too many people will always, always apply this type of thinking to the Church (and/or to the police, the government and other institutions). It is not productive.
I’ve just accepted that no matter what facts you present to people to show that the Church in USA is dealing with this stuff now, someone is going to claim coverup or that the higher-ups were “too nice” to some priest (it’s a funeral, people were mourning; obviously this person did some good in his life along with the bad - and I sincerely doubt that the bishop said he “went to Heaven” because that statement would be against Catholic teaching even if the person had lived a saintly life, we have no idea if someone went to Heaven or not) or didn’t do enough.
Dr. David Burns, the author of “Feeling Good” (a book I’d recommend, it certainly changed my life a couple decades ago), noted that no matter what someone does or accomplishes in their life, they can always negate or minimize that by saying, “I could have done more.” This was one of the thinking errors he pointed out that we need to avoid if we’re going to make progress. Unfortunately, too many people will always, always apply this type of thinking to the Church (and/or to the police, the government and other institutions). It is not productive.
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bullish1
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To be completely accurate, the quote attributed to Wuerl was “those who knew him can pray with great confidence that this priest who proclaimed the gospel . . . might now receive the fulfillment of that gospel, life everlasting.” So nothing against church teaching in that statement. It seems like a very nuanced statement to make. The reality is that we will all receive eternal life. The question is, with whom will we spend it? The fulfillment of the gospel of an unrepentant life of sin is also life everlasting … in hell!
For the record, I never implied there was anything wrong with Wuerl eulogizing this former priest. I take exception to the coverup, transfers, etc. etc. etc. I also do not like the double standard in treatment for those two situations.
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Joe_5859
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And, for the record, I can see why the juxtaposition of those two stories looks bad for Wuerl. I just have serious doubts that we’re getting the whole story in either case. For all I know, the priest who denied Communion was eliciting dozens of letters from others for a wide range of heavy-handed actions. I find it very difficult to believe that Wuerl would just say, “You’re gone” because of one solitary incident like that.
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pnewton
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My point it was not eulogy. He was not eulogized. Catholic Masses do not eulogize. The homilies only speak in generalities, as the Cardinal did. And he was right about the nature of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. As you put it, his statement is nuanced. The man was dead. How else would you speak to the grieving family if it was you? This “eulogy” bit is a lie the author of your piece inserted. This is why gathering news from opinion articles, and just the headlines, at that, is dicey.
This is but one small point in the scandal, however this scandal is defined. But there are too many of these small points that are falsely used to prop up a bigger picture which may not exist.
That may be a legitimate complaint. I don’t thing he has been indicted on any failure to report though, at least at this time. As to what happened decades ago, I would like to remind everyone that sexual deviancy was once considered more treatable than today. It is unjust to apply knowledge of today to what was known in an earlier age.
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pnewton
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I am amazed that we are still reaching back in time to bring evidence that a scandal still exists today. We have real incidents that are recent of child abuse since 2002, though very few, thanks to the actions of the Church. When are people going to start to question this tactic of reaching back in time to scandalize a Church today that has come clean and opened up about these case, made changes, and has mostly overcome the past? I just noticed this funeral was in 2001 and it was for a murder victim. Come on!
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bullish1
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If you like Cardinal Wuerl and support him, or just want to defend him, there is nothing wrong with that. Cite the sources refuting what I provided or lay out your reasoning. To say that you find it difficult to believe has no persuasive qualities for me to consider. You see, I find it difficult to believe as well. How can a Cardinal, who has apparently dedicated his life to the service of the church, do anything like that? There are a boatload of great things that he has done to be sure. But I am just as sure that even the priests guilty of abuse have done some great things in their ministry. But I want change to occur within the church hierarchy in dealing with past wrongs. I want accountability and transparency going forward. I witnessed two very lame remarks by Wuerl on the McCarrick and PA GJ situation. I have seen a few Bishops come out and nail the issue. I have seen a few others that are on the right track. But I see many being dismissive, hiding, or making excuses.
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JanetF
Guest
Agree totally
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bullish1
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This is the most balanced, objective reporting on these things that I have seen to date.
www.ncregister.com
‘What Do You Want to Know?’ The Catholic Reaction to Bishops and Sex Abuse
ANALYSIS: Anyone who finds it difficult to understand the anger and resentment of Catholics toward their bishops in recent weeks need look no further than a 2011 story involving the bishop of Allentown.
www.ncregister.com
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pnewton
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One point from this article might have changed my mind. Part of me would say that a resignation of a bishop who has fallen under criticism, especially unjust criticism should still be accepted for the best of the Church. I see Cardinal Wuerl as an example of one who has been treated unjustly in the media, but see his resignation as a way forward. On the other hand, the article pointed out that such action might be seen as the solution to the problem, thus stifling other changes that would actual improve protection for children. If that became our new modus operandi, then we might even make the situation worse. If offering a bishop’s head becomes the way out of a scandal, when the situation does not cause for it, that would simply make cover-up a more attractive alternative, after fifteen years of openness.
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bullish1
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If Cardinal Wuerl, or any other Episcopal leader did nothing wrong, then I for one, do not want “their head” to satisfy some sort of revenge to the abuse. I believe that Cardinal Wuerl, in two public appearances, gave talks that were “bureaucratic, robotic and self-serving.” He came across as “more concerned with spin, damage control and personal reputations than with the victims”. For that alone, I would like to see him retired to restore some sort of confidence that never again means never again.
I also believe there is ample cause to open a thorough investigation into the numerous cited cases of transfers, failing to make proper notifications of reported abuse and paid hush money. It that is proven true, his punishment should be much more severe.
He is not the only one on the hot seat here however. There are at least 5 other cases that I have found in my digging around where the Episcopal leadership needs to have a similar thorough investigation conducted.
I think that is going to happen whether the Bishops agree or not. There is blood in the water and my guess is most, if not all, states will board the Grand Jury #MeToo train. I don’t see it as a witch hunt because we deserve it. We could have avoided it with a beyond reproach attitude the last time around. I would like nothing more than for a few of these investigations to turn up nothing and this fizzles out and is forgotten. I will gladly admit I was wrong for my unwarranted concern.
I also believe there is ample cause to open a thorough investigation into the numerous cited cases of transfers, failing to make proper notifications of reported abuse and paid hush money. It that is proven true, his punishment should be much more severe.
He is not the only one on the hot seat here however. There are at least 5 other cases that I have found in my digging around where the Episcopal leadership needs to have a similar thorough investigation conducted.
I think that is going to happen whether the Bishops agree or not. There is blood in the water and my guess is most, if not all, states will board the Grand Jury #MeToo train. I don’t see it as a witch hunt because we deserve it. We could have avoided it with a beyond reproach attitude the last time around. I would like nothing more than for a few of these investigations to turn up nothing and this fizzles out and is forgotten. I will gladly admit I was wrong for my unwarranted concern.
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pnewton
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I would call two indictments from all the evidence pretty fizzly. We will see if even these indictments can hold in the face of a defense.
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bullish1
Guest
You are right I guess. PA mess seems much ado about nothing compared to the coverups at the top. You just need to convince those who suffer the abuse.
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