Replies

Here is what I posted to you. Show me where I mentioned blame at all. I did call you out for posting misinformation after being corrected time and time again. But that is hardly about who is to blame for the sex abuse crisis. It is about being truthful in debate. Does that elude you?

• lastchance to Dr. Eckleburg
Do you agree with this policy?

“A presbytery has original jurisdiction in disciplinary cases involving ministers of Word and Sacrament. A presbytery may dissolve a pastoral relationship when the “Word imperatively demands it” (G-11.0103o). However, a presbytery may only place a minister on administrative
leave when allegations of child abuse have been received and the presbytery has followed the Book of Order procedures to conduct its risk evaluation to determine whether or not a minister member accused of child abuse should be placed on administrative leave (D-10.0106). It is recommended that the permanent judicial commission (PJC) members who will conduct this risk evaluation based upon the allegations and a hearing should also take into account secular legal advice.”

• lastchance to Dr. Eckleburg
I doubt seriously whether the reporter bothered reading the norms.
http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/charter.pdf
Critics amount to Bishop Accountability. What they want is for the policy to violate the civil rights of persons accused of child abuse no matter how tenuous those accusations are.

“McKiernan said he wanted the bishops to make several changes to the charter, such as requiring allegations to be immediately reported to police, promptly removing priests from duties if they’re accused of abuse, and requiring all dioceses to post detailed lists of accused priests on their websites.”

The charter already requires police be notified.

“ARTICLE 4. Dioceses/eparchies are to report an allegation of sexual abuse of a person who is a minor to the public authorities. Dioceses/eparchies are to comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities and cooperate in their investigation in accord with the law of the jurisdiction in question.

Dioceses/eparchies are to cooperate with public authorities about reporting cases even when the person is no longer a minor.

In every instance, dioceses/eparchies are to advise victims of their right to make a report to public authorities and support this right.”

I know some of the posters here have trouble with the concept of due process when it comes to Canon law. Just as in civil law the accused has the right of presumption of innocence. Though that does not preclude a Bishop from removing the accused from public ministry if the accusations are found to be credible. Just as a Dr might have his license temporarily suspended by the medical board pending the outcome of a full investigation and civil/criminal trial.

The policy does work. If people decide not to follow it that speaks no more for the validity of the policy than the fact people commit crimes speak for the validity of laws forbidding those crimes.

I won’t C & P my statement that you (to paraphrase) that you continue to post misinformation even after being corrected as the concept of being truthful in debate is so sketchy for some.