"Suspensions Force Bishops to Reassess Rule Changes"/ Will Catholics Hold Rigali and the Vatican Accountable?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/us/26bishop.html?_r=1&emc=eta1




New York Times/ Laurie Goodstein




"When a grand jury in Philadelphia reported last month that the archdiocese there allowed 37 priests accused of abuse or inappropriate behavior to remain in ministry, it came as a complete surprise to the local and national “review boards” that the bishops have put in place to help keep them accountable, members of those boards said. "...




..."Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia at first rebutted the grand jury’s findings, then changed course, suspended three priests and ultimately suspended 21 more — the largest mass suspension by a diocese in the three-decade history of the abuse scandal. ..




...Cardinal Rigali worked for many years in the Vatican and still has powerful allies there. A kingmaker among American bishops, he serves on the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, the body charged with recommending bishops’ assignments to the pope. (Also serving on that Vatican congregation: Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who resigned as archbishop of Boston in 2002 during the abuse scandal there.)




Bridget Mary's Reflection:

The real question Catholics must ask themselves at this latest shocking revelation that 37 priests who were accused of sexual abuse or misconduct remained in ministry in Philadelphia under the supervision of the Cardinal and the Review Board is about accountability. Now the Grand Jury is investigating and will hopefully get to the bottom of the facts in the case. But the bigger issue is a spiritual one and that is how can Catholics in the pews continue to support an institution that has betrayed them? Absolute power vested in a top down hierarchial system does not work.Have the people of God have enough of this corrupt system and criminal behavior?Isn't it time to hold the Cardinals, bishops and Vatican accountable? People of faith must take the next step, jump in and reform their church. We ,the people ,are the church, not the hierarchy alone. We cannot keep looking the other way, ignoring the elephant in our living rooms. Ask yourselves, what would Jesus do? Let's follow Jesus example of Gospel equality. He called women and men as disciples and equals.


Now is the time for a renewed priestly ministry united with the people of God. Now is the time for Catholic communities to call forth women priests and married priests. Limiting the priesthood to celibate males is no longer viable or healthy. It is a disaster!




Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP

http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

sofiabmm@aol.com