Posted on 01/22/2014 6:03:52 AM PST by marshmallow
Former Archbishop of Cincinnati cited in files
CHICAGO -- As head of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin got credit for instituting reforms and throwing out guilty priests in the midst of a child abuse scandal that covered four decades.
But the former Archbishop of Cincinnati also helped cover up for sexual abusers, according to internal archdiocese documents released Tuesday that show how the archdiocese tried to contain the scandal.
The documents claim that:
> Bernardin not only refused to pursue a canonical trial to remove Rev. Norbert Maday, a convicted child molester, from the priesthood, he increased the priest’s salary to help him in prison after loaning Maday $100,000 for his criminal defense.
In a 1996 letter to Maday in prison, Bernardin wrote: “I have decided I will not seek your dismissal from the clerical state … I do not judge that justice and equity would be served by so severe a sanction. You have suffered enough by your present deprivation of ministry and your incarceration.”
➢ Bernardin was aware that Rev. John Curran molested children as early as 1990, but Bernardin promised not to disclose his knowledge of any allegations, and Curran continued to have access to children until 1995, when Bernardin ordered Curran to go to treatment. Curran was finally suspended in 1996 because he refused treatment, not because of his abuse.
> A priest who allegedly raped a nun, abused a seminarian and had sexual relationships with married women was allowed to remain a pastor after the vicar for priests told Bernardin that demoting Rev. William J. O'Brien would destroy the priest’s career and be “demoralizing” for him.
(Excerpt) Read more at wcpo.com ...
> A priest who allegedly raped a nun, abused a seminarian and had sexual relationships with married women was allowed to remain a pastor after the vicar for priests told Bernardin that demoting Rev. William J. O'Brien would destroy the priest’s career and be “demoralizing” for him.
Imagine the reaction if a Protestant had posted this exact same news story.
Doesn’t Greg Noble, apparent author, know that everybody is doing this. I mean really now, this behavior is so very common, it is just plain mean to be picking on ‘holy fathers’.
Let me try to get ahead of the wave -
- I am horrified, disgusted and angry, and know of no Catholic on FR who does not feel the same way (any exceptions, please speak up now).
- His actions were indefensible, and he should be the main attraction at a Pinata Party.
The Papist crowd will be around soon to downplay the whole sorid episode.
They won’t really defend hime, but will shift the blame, if history is an indicator.
“Papist”?
Isn’t that a little derogatory? Historically it certainly was.
I think we could all benefit if those on both sides could seek to elevate the discussion and exercise more restraint and respect.
And I do mean both sides.
One of my least favorite people was the mother of one of my soldiers, whose e-mail address was “holierthanu@****”, and who decided that attending a religious function was more important than being there when her son, who had been mobilized for 18 months and deployed to Iraq for a year, returned home with his unit.
that is a lie no Catholic that I know has EVER condoned this.
The revulsion we feel is common to every Catholic I know.
The one who never fails to point it out is you.
Lurking’
Please don’t misrepresent what I posted.
It’s hard to decide what is derogatory. There are blogs run by Roman Catholics that embrace the term.
Or is this like a particular minority that embraces a certain word and then cries foul when it is used by an outsider?
You posted it.
Was it meant to be derogatory?
Matters not as long as certain Roman Catholics embrace the term.
**“Papist”?
Isn’t that a little derogatory?**
They always post like that. Does it show their disdain for Catholics? Might.
I am so glad that this is finally coming out about Bernardin. For a long time he had great influence in the United States.
In fact, many of the lackadaisical priest who did not report sexual abuse were recommended by him to the Vatican. I call them Bernardin’s boys.
From that site: Pa•pist: n. A Catholic who is a strong advocate of the papacy.
Are there Roman Catholics who are against the Papacy?
**Matters not as long as certain Roman Catholics embrace the term.**
For your information, we don’t like or even attempt to embrace the term.
It’s like many here who use the term RC (Roman Catholic) when there are so many other rites of Catholicism worldwide.
Actually the moniker that fits most Catholics in the United States is Latin Rite.
It matters.
Why not simpy use the word "Catholic"?
Maybe. But we need to keep our house in order and discuss issues with respect, not engage in similar behavior.
These boards have really degenerated into some ugly behavior, rather than a place where reasonable and respecful people can discuss differences.
The ugliest seem to come from people who believe they have a lock on spiritual understanding, and just HAVE to win the argument.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.