Vatican Declined to Pursue Accused Priest

New York Times Europe ^ | April 5th 2020 | JACK HEALY

[Cardhu]

A Catholic priest charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Minnesota has been allowed to continue working at a Catholic diocese in southern India despite warnings from an American bishop that he could still “pose a risk to minors,” according to church documents released Monday.

In a letter sent in December 2005, the bishop, Victor H. Balke, told Vatican authorities that preliminary investigations showed that the priest, Father Joseph Pavanivel Jeyapaul, had molested a 16-year-old girl after promising to discuss her interest in becoming a nun. Bishop Balke wrote that the priest had also “misappropriated a substantial amount of money.” Bishop Balke asked the Vatican to investigate the allegations and “apply whatever penalty you feel appropriate.”

[Cardhu]

...Bishop Balke responded with a second letter in November 2006, in which he raised concerns that the priest had sexually assaulted a second girl. In each of the letters to the Vatican office, he wrote that “it is impossible to say that Father Jeyapaul does not at present pose a risk to minors.”

Authorities in Minnesota are now trying to extradite Fr. Jeyapaul.

[pissant]

Lawsuit Charges Sexual Abuse of Teen by Florida Baptist Minister in 1960s

http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/otherstates/fl_lawsuit_charges_baptist.htm

[lastchance]

I no longer believe anything the NYT publishes about the church.

[wolfcreek]

One has to wonder what goes on under the guise of all religions these days. Evil lurks behind every pew.

Main reason I don’t support organized religion.

[B-Chan]

Let me get this straight: you refuse to recognize the Truth as the Truth just because some people who believe in the Truth are liars?

[Jeff Chandler]

I wonder why the bishop didn’t act to discipline the priest? He is the man in charge of the diocese and certainly has the authority to restrict the priest.

[circlecity]

"One has to wonder what goes on under the guise of all religions these days. Evil lurks behind every pew."

More molesting occurs in the home by relatives by a factor of about 100. Do you avoid your family too?

[Cardhu]

I no longer believe anything the NYT publishes about the church.

Do you honestly think this is only in the New York Times, you will have to close your eyes and stop your ears to every broadcast and newpaper in the world.

But be of good cheer, this is about molesting 16 year old girls, so it is not just homosexuals

[lastchance]

remember that all allegations are not credible. It may very well be that the evidence offered were a matter of he said she said and did not warrant canonical action against the priest. However that does not mean he should not be extradited.

But in light of not having solid evidence of guilt the Church can only make sure that the priest is not given contact with potential victims.

I would venture that should a criminal trial find the priest guilty the matter would be revisted by the CDF and the priest laicized.

And please remember though incidents are to be reported to CDF in most cases the actions taken by the Bishop will meet the requirements. In this case the Bishop from Mn did the reporting as required and the Bishop from India is keeping the priest from having contact with minors pending the investigation by civil authorities.

[lastchance]

There is no time line given. But I believe the priest returned to India to care for his sick mother. So I am not sure if the Bishop was able to discipline the priest.

[pissant]

Suspended Episcopal bishop to have last chance in May

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/88525817.html

Former Fairbanks (Baptist) pastor charged with sex abuse of minor

http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/6731443/article-Former-Fairbanks-pastor-charged-with-sex-abuse-of-minor?instance=home_news_window_left_top_3

Lutheran pastor admits child porn

http://new.exchristian.net/2010/02/lutheran-pastor-admits-child-porn.html

Court OKs sex abuse lawsuit against Methodist church in Missouri

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/09/15/court-oks-sex-abuse-lawsuit-against-methodist-church/

[Oztrich Boy]

It looks like the priest did a Polanski before the matter came to light.

[Cardhu]

Do any of the links support a cover up?

You do understand that it is not the actions of each priest, which of course in reprehensible, that has caused all this furor it is about the cover up of pedophiles and sexual assaults against minors by the catholic church hierarchy

[pnh102]

Was this priest convicted?

[pissant]

Where is the cover up here? In fact, where are these letters so we can judge if that has occurred?

[Oztrich Boy]

Was this priest convicted?

He removed himself from the jusristriction of the court.

[pnh102]

He removed himself from the jusristriction of the court.

Roman Polanski was convicted in absentia. If the evidence in this case is strong enough, this priest should be convicted too.

[wolfcreek]

"More molesting occurs in the home by relatives by a factor of about 100. Do you avoid your family too?" And that makes it less ugly/evil?

I have a *personal* faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ and don't need a building, a bunch of *maybe* like-minded people or a plate passer to thoroughly indulge. Those *pay as you go* religions should all be suspect.

[Cardhu]

Please read the piece, it is rather tiresome discussing something that either you did not read or do not understand.

Obviously you did not know of or do not believe Bishop Victor Balke.

If you do not believe him then you may believe the lawyer for the second victim.

[wolfcreek]

Yes, it’s kind of like believing everything the FedGov tells you.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent my time in Church (many denominations) and have seen the *light*. I am now a *homeschooler* in self-religion.
Each to his own.

In his name, Amen!