The Catholic Bishop of Copenhagen Czeslaw Kozon...
Posted on 04/04/2011 2:40:45 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg
Catholic Church quietly closes sexual abuse case and retires priest with pension; priest’s accusers furious
The priest's accusers accused the church of The Catholic Church of Denmark is being criticised for secrecy and inaction in its handling of the cases of several priests accused of sexual abuse against young men.
The complaints follow the announcement by the church on Sunday that it had completed its last and most extensive investigation into the case of a priest who was suspended in April 2010 after being accused by five separate people of indecent exposure and sexual abuse.
In a brief statement the church announced that the official investigation into the complaints had been completed and that the priest would retire with pension as a result.
The church declined to reveal what its investigation into the complaints uncovered or why the priest retired.
“Our conclusion is that the case is closed and the suspension is lifted. The priest then asked if he could retire,” church spokesman Rev Niels Engelbrecht told Berlingske newspaper.
The bishop of the Diocese of Copenhagen, Czeslaw Kozon, however wrote in a letter to the people who filed the complaint against the priest that the church had not been able to determine whether the complaints were founded, and therefore chose to give the priest the benefit of the doubt. Frederik Roed, one of the men who accused the priest of sexual misconduct, was angered by the church’s conclusion.
“I am deeply shocked that the Catholic bishop is choosing to close and conceal the case after five people, independently of one another, complained about the priest.”
He accused the church of cowardice by “letting the priest sneak off into retirement”.
“Doing so lets them avoid having to take up a fight and hold the priest accountable,” Roed said.
Same old/same old.
Seems to be the order of concern throughout all of Rome.
Was there an admission of guilt or was there any independent corroboration?
Frederik Roed, one of the men who accused the priest of sexual misconduct, was angered by the church’s conclusion.
“I am deeply shocked that the Catholic bishop is choosing to close & conceal the case after five people, independently of one another, complained about the priest.”
The complaints follow the announcement by the church on Sunday that it had completed its last and most extensive investigation into the case of a priest who was suspended in April 2010 after being accused by five separate people of indecent exposure and sexual abuse.
Five people, probably male, were brave enough to come forward. This sounds like a coverup.
This is very sad for victims to deal with.
The Catholic Bishop of Copenhagen Czeslaw Kozon...
It’s hard to imagine that this would be a case where he deserves the “benefit of the doubt.”
That said, they virtually always get their pensions even if they have been sent to prison. Once upon a time, of course, there was no such thing; priests worked hard and died in harness. One of the big problems is that after Vatican II, many priests began to think of their vocation as just their job.
Figures.
The interesting thing about so many of these cases is why weren't the civil authorities called in to investigate?
Why must all these cases, cases that eventually are decided for the defendants, be adjudicated in the civil courts and not in criminal courts?
Just what deals have been struck with police authorities?
Shouldn’t some level of evidence be necessary to pronounce guilt? Should an allegation be all the proof needed?
Pedophiles need to be taken out of circulation, of course. But false allegations are just as evil, and nowadays Priests are awfully easy targets. Any allegation is presumed by the public to be true.
It certainly appears that deals have been struck between the RCC and the police -- we'll get this pederast priest away from children but you won't prosecute him.
Therefore the only recourse is for victims to hire a lawyer and sue the priest in civil court, which is what happens everywhere.
And the fact that most of these priests are declared guilty in civil court (just like O.J. was) speaks to the guilt of the priest and the ball-dropping by the police, intentional or not.
Well look at him in his finest lace as he protects his faggot priest. And the catholic victims can take a hike.
Notice the accused is nameless - probably, so he can teach in some school. And one of the victims is named.
If there was no evidence of guilt - why not leave him there?
Wow... that shows a real concern for the victims of the pederast priests. /s
Nothing new under the sun.
Hoss
(This article is from 1 year ago, and it appears to have a lot in common with the article you posted.)
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“Number of church abuse cases rises”
Friday, 09 April 2010
“The number of cases of child abuse reported to the Danish Catholic Church has risen to 17 and an 18th man has told media that he was abused by a priest who is still an active member of the church in Zealand.
The man, known as Peter, is now in his 40s and told Berlingske Tidende newspaper of how he was molested as an altar boy more than 30 years ago.
However, the statue of limitations has now run out on pursuing a criminal case against the alleged offender.
Peter’s allegations are the first ones against a currently serving priest.
Previous statements from church spokesman Niels Engelbrecht indicated that suspects in cases reported so far have either died or left the church.
Peter had extensive counselling to help him with his trauma and it’s only now that he feels strong enough to go somewhat public with his story.
On different occasions over a number of years the priest allegedly kissed and fondled Peter and also forced him to sleep in his bed and perform oral sex on him.
When the paper contacted the alleged offender, the priest had no comment and directed them to speak with the church spokesman.
Engelbrecht said today that he still doesn’t know the identity of the alleged offender and it would be irresponsible to guess which one of Denmark’s 79 Catholic priests it is.
‘The only decent thing to do is for the former altar boy to come forward with his complaint and name names. Tell us who has done what, and what occurred,’ Engelbrecht said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Czelaw Kozon has said he is willing to open his private archive in an effort to help with the investigations into past child abuse.
‘There’s an archive that lawyers will be allowed to look at. It’s not the kind of archive that anyone can just look at as it can contain personally sensitive information,’ said Niels Messerschmidt, the bishop’s spokesman.
Kozon met with Johan Reimann, head of Copenhagen Police, today and has agreed that all 17 abuse cases reported to the church committee so far will be handed over to police for investigation.
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http://cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/48706-number-of-church-abuse-cases-rises.html
Perhaps you can contemplate Exodus 20:16
What’s that - prayers so catholics will rise up loudly against the evilness committed against catholic children and covering up so this demonic behavior could continue with a march on the Vatican or something? What - prayers for no more stories on it? Prayers that catholics will starve the beast? It’s past time for praying, it’s time for action - how many victims have had their lives destroyed for just the past 50 years.
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