Posted on 12/09/2002 11:14:16 AM PST by NYer
In a letter read at Catholic churches throughout California, priests challenged a new state law they believe will prompt a flood of sexual abuse lawsuits seeking millions of dollars.
Starting Jan. 1, the statute of limitations on the filing of molestation lawsuits will be lifted for one year. Catholic officials intend to contest the new law in court.
The letter was drafted by the 12 bishops in the state and was sparked by concerns that a new wave of lawsuits would be so expensive that the church's education and social services would have to be curtailed. Budget problems already have forced the Los Angeles archdiocese to cut $4.3 million in programs.
"The Catholic church has been falsely portrayed as a large corporation with `deep pockets,'" the letter, ready Sunday, said. "In reality, the vast majority of Catholic assets belong to the people of our parishes, schools, charities and other institutions."
In Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony read the letter to thousands of parishioners at the new cathedral. Many applauded after he finished.
Outside the cathedral, about 10 protesters representing sexual abuse victims said the bishops should support the new law, not challenge it.
"We think it's inappropriate, especially in view of the terrible revelations in Boston," said Mary Jane McGraw, referring to the release last week of documents describing sexual abuse in the Boston archdiocese.
The letter said the church would seek to help victims of abuse. It also noted that U.S. bishops have adopted several reforms in the past year, including working with parishes to report sex abuse allegations to authorities and removing abusive priests.
In Sacramento, parishioner Penelope Harrison said she liked the letter.
"I think there are some people out there who will take advantage of the church ... and I think that's what the bishops are saying," Harrison said.
Victims of childhood sexual abuse have to file lawsuits by their 26th birthday or within three years of discovering emotional problems linked to a molestation incident.
The new law would lift those restrictions in cases against churches or other institutions that continued to employ known molesters who went on to abuse other victims. The lawsuits would have to be filed in 2003.
.... or, worse yet, the bishop might have to cut back on his personal lifestyle.
Correct.
Which is why these evil, fallen priests are stealing resources away from the Church that could be used to teach children, heal the sick and feed the hungry.
Thanks, guys.
Thousands and thousands of people who were never injured will claim that they were. Lawyers will encourage these false claims, because the larger the number of plaintiffs they have the more they can ask for.
The diocese will be crippled by the cost, Catholic hospitals will be shut down and there will be no hospital or clinic in California that will not perform abortions.
This is a campaign to shut down the Church as a social force and is a abortionist trial lawyer's dream.
I understand CA is working on a new law that would abolish personal use of fireplaces ... LOL! Guess it will appear in the NYS Legislature next.
And you're also right that the best solution now is probably Chapter 11, in order to keep the plaintiff's lawyers from seizing schools and hospitals to pay their retainer.
Neither wing of their congregation is willing to forgive this transgression.
Here's the scenario.
It's 1985 - the Church has been spoonfed the Vatican II "everybody hold hands and dance in a circle" routine for twenty years. You know, sin is just a maladjustment, being judgmental is wrong, you should always be forgiving, etc.
Then it comes to a bishop's attention that a priest has done something pretty sick and evil. He calls him on the carpet.
The priest says: "I'm so horrible, your Eminence! I'm so ashamed. I made a terrible mistake. Please can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I'll never do it again! Please be merciful! I'll never do it again - I'll seek help! I can change!"
The bishop then says: "Well, he seems really penitent and remorseful, he says he'll never do it again, he's begging for forgiveness, it would be mean of me to be all stern when he's so upset . . . if he agrees to go to counseling I'll let him get his life back".
After this act of misplaced compassion and pathetic wishywashyness, the priest in question reoffends.
Then the bishop says: "Uh-oh. I'm the one who let him get out of it - now my reputation is on the line. I better keep this whole thing quiet".
And then the bishop goes from weakness and carelessness to complicity.
And an evil situation becomes even worse through his weakness.
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.