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Catholic Bishops Resist Calls for Major Changes in Policy Addressing Child Sex Abuse
KansasCity.com ^ | June 16, 2011 | Judy L. Thomas

Posted on 06/21/2011 7:24:28 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg

The nation’s Roman Catholic bishops on Thursday resisted calls for major changes in their child sex abuse policy despite recent cases involving priests in Kansas City and Philadelphia.

Critics say those cases raise questions about whether some bishops are even following the policy, which was crafted nine years ago to address the sex abuse crisis that was rocking the church.

The critics reacted swiftly after Thursday’s 187-5 vote, which approved a few revisions, including listing child pornography as a violation of church law.

“We are dismayed that the new policy is almost identical to the current policy, despite horrifying recent evidence in Kansas City and Philadelphia that the church’s current policies are dangerously lenient and full of loopholes,” said Terence McKiernan, president of BishopAccountability.org, a group that operates an online database of accused priests.

“The policy needs to be overhauled. This is a squandered opportunity and a disaster for children, not only in the United States but worldwide,” he said.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/16/2955810/catholic-bishops-resist-calls.html#ixzz1PxzrhOa3

(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; History; Moral Issues
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
CS is "still in effect," and it most certainly does prevent victims and their families from going to anyone other than a member of the church with the accusations, under penalty of excommunication.

Constantly repeating the falsehood that those who report these crimes to the police are excommunicated does not make it true. Remember that Crimen solliciationis was a secret instruction. Thus the laity would not know of this alleged provision. Furthermore, as anyone knows, the crimes of these priests have been reported all over the place. Show me one, just one, person who has been excommunicated for this.

This document is filled with astounding nuggets of ways to get around the truth. Check out #52...

"...In every way the judge is to remember that it is never right for him to bind the accused by an oath to tell the truth."
Say what??!!?? During these church proceedings the accused pedophile priest is NEVER to be bound to tell the truth?

Have you not heard of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution:

…nor shall [any person] be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself…
Both Canon 1744 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law and the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution protect an accused against being compelled to testify against himself. Such a scandal that the Church has the same standards as the U.S. Constitution!
121 posted on 06/23/2011 5:53:13 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
"Father Corapi was given every opportunity to continue his licentious behavior within the RCC. So far, no one knows why he quit but his infractions are somewhat legendary, both before and after his ordination."

I thought it was innocent until proven guilty, re: OPC policy (Treat the accused with dignity and respect. An accusation has been made. He/she is innocent until proven guilty)? Secondly, Mary Magdelene's infractions were legendary too, before she came to Christ. Thirdly, what 'infractions' are you aware of taking place after his ordination?

"Rome has nothing in place along the lines of the following, to its discredit."

You just might consider the original subject of this thread, The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Think, my FRiend, before you type.

122 posted on 06/23/2011 6:19:55 PM PDT by Celtic Cross (The brain is the weapon; everything else is just accessories. --FReeper Joe Brower)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Instead, these documents continue to portray the pedophilia at the heart of the RCC as being simply isolated cases in isolated places, rather than a widespread, ongoing criminal enterprise.

That is because, despite the attempts of the portray it otherwise, these are isolated cases. In a church of over one billion member, the number of cases is quite small. And please, do not try to state that I am minimizing the horror of what happened. The crimes of these priests and the negligence of their bishops are the most wicked and unspeakable. There are no penalties that could be harsh enough. But these things happened because they, both the priests and their bishops, acted against the teachings and laws of the Church.

And Crimen Sollicitationis still inhibits the victims from going to the police under penalty of excommunication.

Again, repeating a falsehood does not make it true. Show me one, just one, person who has been excommunicated for reporting these crimes to the police. Even if I were to grant your false presentation of Crimen sollicitations you should update yourself with the present norms. The following is from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's Circular Letter to Assist Episcopal Conferences in Developing Guidelines for Dealing with Cases of Sexual Abuse of Minors Perpetuated by Clerics, dated May 2, 2011:

Sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical delict but also a crime prosecuted by civil law. Although relations with civil authority will differ in various countries, nevertheless it is important to cooperate with such authority within their responsibilities. Specifically, without prejudice to the sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be followed.
Thus, protecting the seal of Confession, all are required to obey laws regarding reporting abuse to the police.
123 posted on 06/23/2011 6:30:44 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: lastchance

Do you read any of these links or just comment on those you haven’t read? I posted Crimen Sollicitationis today, asking to pay particular attention to #11 and #13.

Read and learn.


124 posted on 06/23/2011 7:05:41 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Petrosius

There are many less than one billion Roman Catholics on the planet because as we’ve learned from Roman Catholics on these many threads, Rome still counts as members all those who have left that church for a better, truer church.

And those numbers run into the millions.

Further, these child rapes are not isolated cases but appear to be the norm among “alter Christus” who believe they are “another Christ in both their personal and public lives,” as Father Kenneth Baker instructed us.

As long as RC apologists try to deflect the guilt of its priestcraft onto those drawing attention to their crimes the corruption will only continue.

Apparently Rome wants it that way, or it would be different.


125 posted on 06/23/2011 7:09:55 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Celtic Cross
You just might consider the original subject of this thread, The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Think, my FRiend, before you type.

Thank you. I not only think before I type, I think while I'm typing and after I type.

The problem with these meandering, meaningless declarations such as the one you've referenced above is that there are NO penalties whatsoever for ignoring or concealing child sex crimes committed by its clergy.

Instead, these documents continue to portray the pedophilia at the heart of the RCC as being simply isolated cases in isolated places, rather than a widespread, ongoing criminal enterprise.

All talk. And nothing changes. And Crimen Sollicitationis still inhibits the victims from going to the police under penalty of excommunication.

Destroyed if you do/destroyed if you don't. That's the choice Rome gives the children who are raped by its priests.

126 posted on 06/23/2011 7:30:11 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Petrosius
If Crimen Sollicitationis means so little, why not declare it null and void?

Crickets.

127 posted on 06/23/2011 7:31:49 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: lastchance

I provided the document. I highlighted the portions which threaten excommunication to anyone who goes outside the church with accusations against a priest.

And somehow you STILL make such foolish statements as “Prove that it prevents victims from going to police.”

You can lead a cow to a bale of hay but you can’t make it eat.


128 posted on 06/23/2011 7:35:41 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: lastchance

lolol


129 posted on 06/23/2011 7:36:25 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
If Crimen Sollicitationis means so little, why not declare it null and void?

Because, as I have repeatedly told you, it does not mean what you think it means. One more time, nothing in CS prevents anyone from going to the police. It is concerned only with the procedures of an investigation and TRAIL. If it had actually been followed all these horrible priests would have been removed from the priesthood years ago. If you would read the entire document with an open and honest mind you would know that.

130 posted on 06/23/2011 7:39:40 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
"The problem with these meandering, meaningless declarations such as the one you've referenced above is that there are NO penalties whatsoever for ignoring or concealing child sex crimes committed by its clergy."

ARTICLE 12. Dioceses/eparchies are to maintain “safe environment” programs which the diocesan/eparchial bishop deems to be in accord with Catholic moral principles. They are to be conducted cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, volunteers, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and young people. Dioceses/eparchies are to make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to children.

ARTICLE 13. Dioceses/eparchies are to evaluate the background of all incardinated and non-incardinated priests and deacons who are engaged in ecclesiastical ministry in the diocese/eparchy and of all diocesan/eparchial and parish/school or other paid personnel and volunteers whose duties include ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors. Specifically, they are to utilize the resources of law enforcement and other community agencies. In addition, they are to employ adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination

§2. A cleric who commits the delicts mentioned above in §1 is to be punished according to the gravity of his crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition.

131 posted on 06/23/2011 7:40:41 PM PDT by Celtic Cross (The brain is the weapon; everything else is just accessories. --FReeper Joe Brower)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
"lolol"

...?

132 posted on 06/23/2011 7:41:46 PM PDT by Celtic Cross (The brain is the weapon; everything else is just accessories. --FReeper Joe Brower)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
I highlighted the portions which threaten excommunication to anyone who goes outside the church with accusations against a priest.

I am sorry, can you provide the quote that says that explicitly, not something that you think implies that. Also, please show one person who has ever been excommunicated for going to the police. You cannot and this shows that your claim is false.

133 posted on 06/23/2011 7:43:58 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Instead, these documents continue to portray the pedophilia at the heart of the RCC as being simply isolated cases in isolated places, rather than a widespread, ongoing criminal enterprise.

Christ Jesus, Risen Son of the Living Almighty God, is at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church. Your false statement shows what is at the heart of the OPC.

134 posted on 06/23/2011 7:48:28 PM PDT by Judith Anne ( Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: presently no screen name
"In every way the judge is to remember that it is never right for him to bind the accused by an oath to tell the truth."

Right from the master of lies himself. There is no way, anyone with a mind of their own, would be a part of such deception.

Astounding, isn't it? We should remember that one line and where it came from. When we quote it in the future, no one will believe it.

135 posted on 06/23/2011 7:54:36 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

Please see no. 121 above.


136 posted on 06/23/2011 7:58:34 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: lastchance
Because CS is not the problem

CS is part of the problem because it tries to hide the corruption and raping of children and keep it in-house, away from the prying eyes of family, teachers and police.

137 posted on 06/23/2011 8:01:17 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Petrosius

Please see 127.


138 posted on 06/23/2011 8:08:52 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Asked and answered. See no. 130. It is one thing to disagree but it is quite another to ignore answers and pretend that they were never made. No one here is accepting your misrepresentation of Crimen sollicitationis.
139 posted on 06/23/2011 8:13:26 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: Judith Anne
Christ Jesus, Risen Son of the Living Almighty God, is at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church. Your false statement shows what is at the heart of the OPC.

It would be wonderful is Jesus Christ were at the heart of the RCC.

Sadly, that is not the case...

Here is what is at the heart of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church...


140 posted on 06/23/2011 8:16:56 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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