http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/2012/04/22/pope-ire-aimed-wrong-target-pope-ire-aimed-wrong-target/Vq6Z29aHSQVKHelcae2X9I/story.html
Pope Benedict XVI can’t wait to crack down
on “radical feminist” nuns.
But
will he ever really crack down on protectors of pedophile priests?
"A
Vatican-led investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious cites
the nuns’ silence on abortion and same-sex marriage. How bad is that up against
the silence of church officials, from parish priests to the Vatican, who ignored
and concealed child sex crimes?
By ironic coincidence, news about the Vatican’s effort to rein in
the conference — the largest and most influential group of Catholic nuns in the
United States — broke the same day the Rev. Bradley M. Schaeffer resigned from
the Boston College Board of Trustees after growing public criticism over the
role he played in supervising a former Jesuit priest who allegedly molested
dozens of children over a span of 40 years.
The
juxtaposition of the two events exposes a familiar church mindset.
The
Vatican launched an investigation of the nuns in 2008, concerned by what it
views as the group’s increasingly liberal tilt. An American bishop is now
charged with reeling them in, after the investigation revealed “serious
doctrinal problems” relating to “radical feminist themes incompatible with the
Catholic faith.” The nuns were also reprimanded for public statements that put
them at odds with Catholic bishops during the 2010 debate over health care
reform.Perceived threats to his authority swiftly grab the pope’s attention.
Accountability for long-ago threats to children is still something to
dodge.
This
follows Benedict’s recent condemnation of dissident priests. During a Holy
Thursday Mass, the pope publicly rebuked a group of Austrian priests who
challenged the church on priestly celibacy and the ban on female priests;
disobedience would not be tolerated, he said.
What
he does tolerate is a worldwide network of priests who enabled sexual abusers. Unlike dissidents, they are not called out in St. Peter’s Square and no one is
put in charge of reeling them in. They are free, like Schaeffer, to end up on
the boards of prominent Jesuit institutions — until public pressure forces them
out...."
10 comments:
"Pope Benedict XVI can’t wait to crack down on “radical feminist” nuns.
But will he ever really crack down on protectors of pedophile priests?"
We get it already. Any time the Church does something you don't like, you're going to whip out this card.
Truth be told, the Church has cracked down on pedophile priests.
I am not a pedophile priest.
Merely a facilitating bishop.
Truth be told, I expect to be moved to the Vatican any day now.
Bp. Finn wasn't protecting a pedophile priest. He moved Ratigan to the convent because the man was about to kill himself. He also forbade Ratigan to have contact with children. That is not a "facilitating bishop."
On October 14, 2011 Bishop Robert Finn was not charged with not telling police about child pornography found on a priest's computer.
According to the indictment, the diocese was not made aware of the incident in December 16, 2010 but did not report it to the authorities until May 11, 2011, not in violation of a new state law making it mandatory for everyone, without distinction, to report any possible abuse of minors, if there is a suspicion.
He did not plead not guilty to one misdemeanor count of failing to report suspected child abuse.
Finn is not among the first bishops to be indicted in the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal in the United States.
I am/am not a bishop.
The reason I am/am not a bishop is because bishops are/are not the church's authentic teachers of faith and morals.
The church's authentic leaders are/are never called out in Saint Peter's Square.
Ergo locutus est/non est.
Is that you, John Wayne?
Is that me?
Hello again, imitation Veritas!
Say something, Holy Badger!
Follow another authentic Badger of faith and morals at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bishop-Finn-Must-Go/132741796803041
Post a Comment