Catholic Diocese Offers Plan to Settle Abuse Claim

ABC News ^ | Nov 18, 2014 | AMY BETH HANSON

[Gamecock]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena has filed a bankruptcy reorganization plan that proposes a $16.4 million settlement for hundreds of people who said clergy members sexually abused them for decades while the church covered it up.

[Gamecock]

the church covered it up.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

In before the first FRoman posts empathy for the priest-victims.

[Resettozero]

...settlement for hundreds of people who said clergy members sexually abused them for decades while the church covered it up.

The justification given to me on another FR thread this evening is...these accusations are mostly 30 years old.

[metmom]

The church is settling, effectively admitting that the victims were right.

[lewislynn]

Yea,yea I know but did you know a hundred yrs. ago a Morman had 40 wives? And not man wives, I know, weird huh?

I read here almost daily about how awful Mormans are.

[Gamecock]

My “favorite” is that teachers abuse children too!

One would think priests should be held to a higher level.

[Resettozero]

When male priests are chaste, pure, and unmarried, they sometimes molest young boys only, for the most part?

This weirdness has continued going on for a long, long time.

When will the RCC membership decide to put a stop to this once and for all time, as any other church groups would do and have done?

[metmom]

WHAT?!?!?!?!

Hold someone who claims to be Christ’s representative here on earth to a higher moral standard than the rest of mankind?

What do they expect? For them to practice what they preach or something unreasonable like that?

[FamiliarFace]

The victims were right. Hopefully you will see that there are some Catholics who are adamantly opposed to abuse by some of our priests. I wouldn’t care if the whole Church went bankrupt over these atrocities.

[CynicalBear]

>>Hopefully you will see that there are some Catholics who are adamantly opposed to abuse by some of our priests.<<

Unfortunately experience has shown that most Catholic apologists here will only compare to teachers, Protestant ministers or in some way try to show that it's no worse with Catholic priests than general society. Generally not any acknowledgement whatsoever that the systemic problems within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church runs deep and has been going on for decades.

[WVKayaker]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena has filed a bankruptcy reorganization plan that proposes a $16.4 million settlement ...

In other words... "we got caught with our pants down", but they must protect the riches of their organization against any claims of responsibility for those reprehensible actions by their leaders.

Typical of the RC cult. By their actions, we see where their hearts lie...

Matthew 6: ...19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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[MrEdd]

Oh no no no.

The pedophile protectors will go much farther than that.
You see, the greatest tragedy of all would be if a priest knew of a crime...and damaged his reputation for secrecy by intervening to protect the victim.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3227423/posts

Read this thread.

[metmom]

It sure is refreshing to see that over blame shifting, finger pointing, and all the excuses I see here on almost a daily basis on FR.

[Resettozero]

◄ Mark 9:42 ►

"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."

Of course, it's just the Lord Jesus Christ who said that, and not Mary His mother or a well-known saint or an important pope or some other RCC leader who knows better.

Sounds like He had some RCC priests in mind, doesn't it.

[Gamecock]

Thread has been up for 1.5 hours and a certain faith group is yet to chime in. The silence is deafening.

[FamiliarFace]

I will defend my faith, but not these priests. There is no excuse for hiding the abusers, moving them around so they could continue their heinous deeds. I hold all pedophiles in the same regard. I want ALL of them to be punished.

I personally know 3 men who were sexually abused as children by priests. The youngest one is the only one who came forward soon after the abuse. His abuser was jailed for a while, then was defrocked once he got out. The young man is doing relatively well, thank the Lord!

The other two kept their secret for decades, and it harmed them greatly. They became either dysfunctional or perverse themselves. Their families have been ruined by the things these perverts did to them. They have suffered greatly. To my knowledge, neither one of them pressed charges. I so wish they would have, but I’m not the one who can. I keep them in my prayers.

Still, I truly believe that there are many, many good priests. I have struggled with my Catholic faith, but Jesus is faithful and has seen me through many troubled times. I rely on Him.

[FamiliarFace]

One cricket chimed in near the one hour mark for you, but within minutes of reading the thread for the poster.

[ravenwolf]

I wouldn’t care if the whole Church went bankrupt over these atrocities.

---

I agree on that point, but I don`t like scumbags even if they were molested.

[Gamecock]

I didn’t recognize you as a Catholic.

Not that it matters, but I respect you for what you have posted here. Quite refreshing.