http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/episcopal_church/confronting_sexual_abuse_in_th.php
In my view, the Roman Catholic Church can learn from the Episcopal Church in dealing with sexual abuse by clergy. Note that it was the women in the Episcopal Church that pressed that the issue be dealt with and that is one of the differences women priests would make in the Roman Catholic Church. NO secrecy or denial or foot dragging on the part of the bishops would be tolerated. Now it is up to Catholics to save our church, including women and womenpriests!
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0003
Confronting sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church
By Ann Fontaine
Andrew Sullivan, writing on The Atlantic's Web site, has been praising the Episcopal Church for its actions on priests who commit sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. In the comments on his column stories of quick action following the reporting of abuse have appeared. It is good to hear that our system is working for some people who have suffered at the hands of priests and bishops. Women clergy began to hear the stories of child and youth sexual abuse by clergy in the late 70s and early 80s. Women had only been ordained since 1974. A few women across the denominations met to compare notes....
"The bishops did not think the time was right for this action but we pressed ahead. The women of the Episcopal Church – Episcopal Women’s Caucus, Episcopal Church Women, Daughters of the King, and others mobilized to lobby both Houses and to talk their bishops about the importance of immediate action by the church. Abuse victims/survivors came to testify, often the first time they had told their stories in public. 1997 saw a number of resolutions including the revision of Title IV (disciplinary canons) passed. (The history of resolutions is here.) The Bishop’s Pastoral Office led by the Rt. Rev. Harold (Hoppy) Hopkins was a key supporter of funding, education, developing training and facing the issues of abuses and exploitation."
Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now
It is better in the Episcopal Church but along way from done -- bishops still protect priests and each other especially in cases of exploitation and harassment.
ReplyDeleteAnn Fontaine
Dr. K or Dr. Pepper,
ReplyDeleteOnce again your assumption is wrong. MALE teachers are far more reported and convicted than female teachers for having sexual relations with students.
While under contract and employee of any public or private school may not enter any intimate relations with a student, be it only intimacy or intimacy that is sexual.
There are many "watch dog" organizations that keep a wall of shame for such persons.
One such organization is :
http://badbadteacher.com
If you will take the time to read this, you will find that the majority of offenders are 1. Male and 2. Male Coaches
It is against the law NOT to report even suspected relations. A public employee may have their teaching certificate revoked and serve time in prison for not reporting suspected child abuse, be it sexual, physical or of another nature.
I advise you to read the site by category, State, certification , subject area, and gender.
You should come to a conclusion that Texas and new York have the most cases. males that are Coaches are the leading offenders with boys and girls.
And NO, I can not agree that an allegation can be softly and non swiftly approached. Once an allegation is made, investigation begins, employee is placed on leave - NO STUDENT CONTACT_ NO CAMPUS CONTACT. It is not alright to keep the person around or shuffle them. FOLLOW THE POLICY, FOLLOW the STATE LAWS !
Children can not afford to be waiting or experiencing more, until a person is prosecuted. there are two types of procedures fro every organization. The organization itself and then the State law. The alleged OFFENDER MUST be removed from the possible zone of offending !
So NO WE CAN agree.
Following the law is not a way to advance sufferings and heresy !
Unless you create and change laws frequently ...say as perhaps Henry VIII of the UK !
Linda is right on -- there are a few cases of females abusing (and of course they make the news) but the majority of cases are male abusers -- but regardless of the offender - the procedure for reporting she outlines is exactly right.
ReplyDeleteFolks,
ReplyDeleteI meant to say "No We Can NoT agree" on my third to last line of my post.
It was late when I was posting the comments.
Linda
Linda --
ReplyDeleteWhat amazes me is that these self-abosrbed persons refuse to check the literature, statistics, etc.