NIGHTLINE Tonight: The Big Picture (Dallas Paper to Break BIG Story on Catholic Scandal!)

ABCNEWS | June 11, 2002 | Leroy Sievers

[Timesink]

Subject: NIGHTLINE: The Big Picture

TONIGHT'S SUBJECT: For months now, we've been reporting on the scandal rocking the Catholic Church. But for the most part, we talk about one case here, another there. But just how widespread is the problem? Tonight we'll have the results of an investigation done by our colleagues at the Dallas Morning News. The numbers are actually pretty shocking.

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I'm sitting here, having a little trouble getting started. We have reported on this scandal several times so far. For the most part, the stories are fairly similar, the anguish of the victims, and their anger, and the response by the Church. But it is sort of like profiling each tree, one at a time, and not looking at the forest, to use an old metaphor. Just how widespread is this problem? If it were just one person here, and maybe another there, it might be easier to understand. But there has always been a feeling that this is a systemic problem, that underlying the individual stories that have come into the public eye, and those that have not, is some sort of widespread problem.

Some say the issue is celibacy. Others that the priesthood attracts those disposed towards children. Still others argue that the issue is homosexuality in the priesthood. And there are many other explanations. And they may all be partly true, and party false. But tonight we will address just how widespread this problem is. This week, the bishops are meeting in Dallas to debate a proposed policy to deal with priests who are accused of, or proven to be guilty of molestation. Many of the victims say the policy doesn't go far enough, that it is too lenient. But with the bishops and others beginning to arrive in Dallas today, our friends at the Dallas Morning News came to us with the results of an investigation they conducted. Their story will be in the paper tomorrow, and on their Web site tonight. They tried to track down every credible allegation. And the numbers they found are staggering.

Roughly two-thirds of the bishops have either been accused themselves, actually a relatively small number, or more commonly, are accused of covering up the actions of one of their priests. We'll be reporting on the details of what the Morning News found tonight, but clearly the numbers indicate that the problem is more than just the crimes of isolated individuals. So we'll have a report from ABC News correspondent Bill Blakemore from Dallas on the Morning News investigation, and a preview of what will happen later in the week. Ted will interview the bishop who headed the committee that wrote the proposed policy. But I think tonight's broadcast will make it clear that this is much more than a couple of isolated cases being given too much publicity. Something has gone terribly wrong.

Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Leroy Sievers and the Nightline Staff
Nightline Offices
Washington, D.C.

[Timesink]

This doesn't sound good...

[Registered]

Apostasy never sounds good.

[Plummz]

O'Reilly said a few weeks ago that it is rather widely known -- sub rosa, natch -- that one of the US Cardinals is/was recently an "active homosexual." I wonder when/if the elites will let the little people in on that story.

[DallasMike]

Inspector Clouseau conducts better investigations than the Dallas Morning News. They're getting more blatantly partisan every day.

[ppaul]

2/3?

[The Old Hoosier]

I think they lack evidence, but they'll get it soon enough. That story is definitely out there.

[maryz]

FYI

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

My guess is they will "out" the alleged homosexual Cardinal attending the conference. Cheap and sleazy, but necessary probably if we are ever going to get rid of these creeps.

[joesnuffy]

When will the nuns speak out...

[D-fendr]

I think there will be a great deal of hyperbole and cooking of books in the DMN reporting. Once a more informative presentation of what constitutes and "allegation" and what is a "cover-up" perhaps a more truthful picture will arise.

We can count on this press to sensationalize and add anything to arrive at the largest possible number for "alledged" activity.

[rwfromkansas]

got that right.

[onyx]

Good for NIGHTLINE 'if' it tells the truth: Homosexual infestation of the priesthood.

[CasearianDaoist]

They are perhaps a larger homosexual community than thegays in the priesthood.

[ThomasMore]

I'm not surprised anymore. These peter-puffers are about to get their cover blown. No pun intended.

[AdA$tra]

This paper sees a bit of blood in the water and they start circling. I am sure that is is just a coincidence that they are releasing their results as the Bishops arrive or their conference. Let's get the offenders out of the Church and then start with the teachers, coaches, scout leaders and family memebers that do this more pervasively throughout society and get a free ride from the press. I even see more and more about these liberal whackos that think sex with children is "OK". It simply has to stop.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Tune in to Nightline this evening.

[Vladiator]

So, it is as bad if a bishop or priest is having an affiar with a woman?

[AdA$tra]

PING!

[NetValue]

The Cardinals' and Bishops' public response has been very lame. There is no legal justification or moral tenet causing their criminal and immoral acts. They have allowed their Church to become a moral cesspool and tried to keep it secret.

ABC will report that almost all the cases nationwide involve priests having sex with adolescent MALES! That is not a celibacy issue. It is a homosexual issue.

Think clearly. The moral and legal action required to deal with this matter becomes very clear when you think clearly. Punish offenders. Rehabilitate the victims. Return to the moral high ground. Clear out the stables.

[LarryLied]

Still others argue that the issue is homosexuality in the priesthood.

Now where would anyone get a ridiculous (and possibly homophobic) idea like that?