Outing Cardinal Egan (priest now outing the bishops)

Village Voice ^ | February 7, 2006 | Kristen Lombardi

[m4629]

I can understand your sentiment about not wanting to have innocent blood on your hands, with respect to certain questionable bishops.

Just want to say that I had been engaged in pretty intense discussions about one Bishop Hubbard in the past couple of years here.

If nothing else, just consider the fact that even Hubbard himself never denied the that he had brought in an overwhelmingly large number of known homo seminarians and priests into the diocese during his tenure.

Care to take a stab at this "innocent move" within the context of current scandals?

[SuziQ]

The only entity that could bring true justice to the victims was the justice system. It was imperative that these men be charged with the crimes they committed and serve the time. Because of the statute of limitations on some of the molestation cases, and the lack of concrete evidence for the others, there were only two priests charged, tried and jailed in connection with the sexual abuse cases in Boston; Porter from Fall River and Geoghan from Boston. It was important that their cases be as public as possible; it was necessary that the community be a part of putting them away for a very long time, and it be a warning to others who might be thinking of molesting children or young adults.

Cardinal Law only had the power to remove these priests from their faculties in the Diocese, he could not hand them over to the police. That would have required the permission of the children's parents, who were, in many of the cases, reluctant to force their children into the public eye. Or as someone mentioned, it was possible that they were intimidated into not bringing charges.

To the extent that anything Cardinal Law might have delayed that outcome, he would be responsible, but the AG didn't find anything that the Cardinal did that was illegal, even though the AG stated in the press conference that he wished he had found something on Law. The fact that Law tried to help Geoghan seems reprehensible to people who wanted to see him pay for his crime, but Law felt that it was his duty in his capacity as Geoghan's 'Pastor' to minister to him even while acknowledging that he had sinned and committed these horrendous crimes against children and young people.

[SuziQ]

I know nothing about the Hubbard case, so I can't comment other than to say that I don't believe homosexual men belong in the priesthood. There's that pesky 'near occasion of sin' difficulty that is bound to surface.

[NYer]

I don't know if John Aretakis is right or wrong. I'd say he is sometimes right and sometimes wrong. But let's not forget that he is making a lot of $$.

Can you support that allegation with solid numbers? From all I've read, he's suffered significant financial losses with each case he has trialed.

[Iris7]

I think you are correct. This situation looks to me to predate Vatican II by at least a generation.

I offer no evidence. I reason here by inference. Some of these people are quite old. The Bishops who ordained them are long dead. The "lavender" network must reach back at least to the 19th Century. Less blatant then, of course.

Perhaps I have become too suspicious. Indeed.

[Iris7]

First time I have ever told it. One hopes one is wrong, year after year, one hopes that he will change, one hopes his life is not without hope. I mean for him, not for me.

[Iris7]

Thank you for your prayers. And I for you.

[Iris7]

As for myself I believe it would be foolish at least and more likely a sin to take many, most, of these stories at face value.

The most compelling argument for me is that we joust with the Prince of Lies. This is beyond our ability. How can we, who wander from His paths like sheep without a Shepherd, expect to outwit, out think, out scheme, out maneuver Satan himself?

We all know why. Pride.

We, every one, yield to the same old temptation, that fatal conceit, "Eat of this fruit and become as gods, and know right from wrong."

[Iris7]

"So I wonder if they are just trying to hurt the church."

Seeking "the ruin of souls"? Surely. We are being tempted.

Each of us must trust in He that "leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake."

Though we walk in the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil.

[dsc]

"I offer no evidence. I reason here by inference. Some of these people are quite old."

Yes, those facts speak for themselves. Vat II was not the beginning of modernism.

I think the full story of the USSR's efforts to infiltrate seminaries has yet to be told. And, if they were going to infiltrate, what better agents than men who suffered from SSAD?

[Antoninus]

Two years ago, the priest who compiled the report was called down to the Chancelry. The following day, he was found dead in his kitchen. The report, posted to the Internet, also disappeared several days later, though I suspect some may have downloaded it to their pc's before it was exorcized along with the web site on which it had been published.

Father Minkler was his name. And you're right, many people did download it.

[saradippity]

I think the full story of the USSR's efforts to infiltrate seminaries has yet to be told. And,if they were going to infiltrate,what better agents than men who suffered from SSAD?

I would guess that this claim that there was a Bolshevik,Marxist,communist infiltration of the Church,has been,or,will be proved true beyond a doubt. Could be what Our Lady was referring to at Fatima,when she told the children about the errors that would be coming out of Russia.

[dsc]

"Could be what Our Lady was referring to at Fatima,when she told the children about the errors that would be coming out of Russia."

Seems likely; at least a part of it. I'm betting that the Russians did a much better job of placing their men in seminaries than we have yet guessed.

[Full Court]

Cardinal Law only had the power to remove these priests from their faculties in the Diocese, he could not hand them over to the police. That would have required the permission of the children's parents,

Absolutely untrue.

The fact is that Law covered up and facilitated the pedophiles and was rewarded by the Pope for doing so.

That begs the question of why.

[Full Court]

As for myself I believe it would be foolish at least and more likely a sin to take many, most, of these stories at face value.

And that attitude is exactly why the Roman Catholic church has become a bastion of pedophilia and homosexuality.

[Full Court]

but Law felt that it was his duty in his capacity as Geoghan's 'Pastor' to minister to him even while acknowledging that he had sinned and committed these horrendous crimes against children and young people.

It's very telling that Law was more interested in covering up for the pedophile than he was helping the many victims of the pedophile.

[Campion]

And that attitude is exactly why the Roman Catholic church has become a bastion of pedophilia and homosexuality.

That's unfair and a cheap shot.

[Campion]

The fact is that Law covered up and facilitated the pedophiles and was rewarded by the Pope for doing so.

Having all of his authority taken away from him and being given a merely ceremonial position is a "reward"?

[SuziQ]

It's very telling that Law was more interested in covering up for the pedophile than he was helping the many victims of the pedophile.

He actually did both, but only the former made the news.

The Catholic Church as NOT become a bastion of pedophilia and homosexuality, though you seem to want to believe it. Yes, there are some pedophiles and some homosexuals among the clergy; they absolutely DO NOT BELONG there. It is clear, however, that among institutions like churches, schools, etc., there are no more in proportion to the numbers of priests, ministers, teachers, etc, in the Catholic Church than there are in any other institution in this country.

You can believe that or not, it is your choice, but it is a FACT.

[red irish]

Being Catholic I say we get the truth out and then deal with it. We the people deserve to know the truth where these priests stand and if they are out messing around with men and therefore undermining the church. and lying to the people. The day is coming when the homosexuals will be banging on the door to be married and if these priests are indeed gay what are they going to do? Stand firm in faith or to prepare the way for sin and evil to continue and grow and scattered away the faithful who want the truth.