What Other Church Would Get Away with Criminal Behavior? Time for Roman Catholics To Act Like Egyptian People in Response to Tsunami of Abuse

John Chuchman writes:
"Over the past decade, prosecutors have pressed high-ranking church officials in the U.S. to accept responsibility for covering up abuse but never actually brought criminal charges against them as individuals.
For instance, Phoenix Bishop Thomas O'Brien admitted in 2003 that he sheltered abusive priests, an acknowledgment made as part of a deal with prosecutors that gave him immunity from any potential obstruction-of-justice charge. He agreed to institute reforms and cede some authority to other church officials.
The Diocese of Manchester, N.H., admitted wrongdoing but avoided criminal charges in 2003.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati pleaded no contest in 2003 to charges of failing to tell authorities about sex abuse claims against priests, paid a find and created a fund for victims.
And in 2005, the Boston Archdiocese struck a deal to avoid an unprecedented federal indictment on allegations of making a false statement to federal authorities.
Among other things, the archdiocese agreed to closer scrutiny of its child-protection programs.The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office also convened a grand jury in 2002 to look into abuse by priests since the 1960s. Its report, issued in 2005, said that there was evidence of abuse by at least 63 priests and that church officials had transferred offenders to other parishes and dioceses. While Bevilacqua and other church officials were criticized, none were charged."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Like the Egyptian people who conducted a peaceful revolution that brought down a corrupt government, it is time for ordinary Catholics to take action in response to the world-wide tsunami of clergy sexual abuse. It is time to demand accountability from the hierarchy and to demand that prosecutors no longer give the RC Church hierarchy a "pass" when there is evidence of abuse by priests. If Cardinal Bevilacqua was Mr. Bevilacqua, would he be doing hard time in a prison for similar charges? Does the RC Church get special treatment in civil law and criminal courts? If so, why?
We need to change the structures that failed to protect thousands of Catholic youth? We need to call for the resignations of bishops who kept pedophiles in ministry. We need to affirm priests of integrity and open our doors to married priests and women priests. (This is already a reality in grassroots communities and this movement will grow.)
We need the people of God to take their rightful place in decision-making roles in our church. No longer should these roles be limited by canon law to the clergy. We are in a world of hurt. It is time for a peaceful revolution to transform our beloved church into a more open, compassionate and just community that resembles Jesus' vision in the Gospels.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org