HDNet’s “Dan Rather Reports” Uncovers New Evidence That a Priest Joined L.A. Archdiocese Despite His

http://www.hd.net/press_articles/dan-rather-reports-on-abusive-clergy/ ^ | June 27, 2011 | Colette Carey

[Dr. Eckleburg]

DALLAS (June 27, 2011) – Tomorrow night, “Dan Rather Reports” uncovers the dark and disturbing past of a priest who joined the Los Angeles Archdiocese, even as church leaders were promising to address its swelling clergy abuse scandal.

The priest, Father Fernando Lopez-Lopez, went on to molest at least three teenage boys in his Los Angeles parish. Our report shows there were warning signs from a prior post in Italy that Lopez was trouble — signs that were missed by church officials in Los Angeles, even as its leader, Cardinal Roger Mahony, was pledging a new “zero tolerance” policy on sexual abuse in the priesthood.

One of Lopez’s victims is now taking on the Archdiocese for exposing him to harm in a trial set to start in October.

“Even if you’re hiring a janitor to work in the school, you’re going to find out where he worked… who he worked with,” said attorney Vince Finaldi, who is representing the plaintiff in the lawsuit. “You’re going to fingerprint the person, you’re going to do a background check.”

How does the Archdiocese respond to this lawsuit and the new disclosures from our investigation? Watch “Dan Rather Reports” tomorrow night on HDNet.

“Dan Rather Reports: All is not Forgiven” premieres on HDNet, Tuesday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore at 11:00 p.m. ET. The program also airs on Saturday, July 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

[WKUHilltopper]

“CBS president Howard Stringer defended the network with irrelevancies. “Your criticisms were not shared by a vast majority of our viewers,” he sniffed, adding that “CBS News and its affiliates received acclaim from most quarters . . . In sum, this was a broadcast of which we at CBS News and I personally am proud. There are no apologies to make.”

Arrogant @$$! Worthy of horse whipping!

[suzyjaruki]

This is NOT a Catholic only issue as we are all commanded, who are members of the body of Christ, to live holy lives that bring glory and honor to our Savior and to purge from among us those who try to corrupt this body from within. We must ever turn our backs on this again nor think it is not our business. It IS our business because it reflects on us all who name the name of Christ.

boatbums, you have hit the nail on the head here. AND because the media often equates Christianity with Catholicism, all Christianity is devalued in the eyes of nonChristians when the leadership of the Catholic Church fails to be Christ-like.

[MarkBsnr]

I did. They went back to the town in Italy where this priest came from and found filed allegations of abuse by the priest with minors along with sharing drugs with them. The L.A. Archdiocese apparently didn't lift a finger to find out who this priest was and basically let him start serving from off the street. The priest spoke two or more languages and that's what was needed so they let him in with practically no questions asked. IIRC, another Archdiocese in CA even tried to warn them of this guy after he tried to get a job with them, but nothing was done.

Disgusting. I have no idea what Cardinal Mahoney's final Judgement will be, but I sure would like to influence it. Even if this is not true, he has a lot of other things to answer for. The Orthodox say that the floor of hell is lined with the skulls of bishops; I have had public issues with the current bishop of my diocese (which has pissed off some of the clergy) and also with the last one. The public issues get me recognized in the diocesan publications (!!!) normally in a negative fashion. Tough. I have six kids. They are going to grow up with a Catholic education - a real Catholic education and not the ersatz pablum that the liberals want to push on us.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Protestant ministers are referred to police authorities, and if the evidence is there, they stand trial.

So unlike the pederast Roman Catholic priest who is protected, hidden, and even promoted by the RC hierarchy, always kept away from the prying eyes of law enforcement.

When Crimen Sollicitationis is rescinded, Roman Catholics will be able to say they are taking a moral stance against the pedophilia in their church.

Until then, it’s all talk, diversion, smoke, mirrors, lies and more sexual perversion of the children under Rome’s care.

What you enable, you get more of.

[boatbums]

Thank you.

I apologize for saying, “We must ever turn our backs...”. It should have been, “We must never turn our backs...”. It was WAY past my bedtime.

[Legatus]

The peace of Christ be with you all.

I will say again ...people are angry...catholics and any other of the faithful...that more isn't being done within the catholic church leadership to stop the cover ups and dodging the criminal activity happening within "the catholic church" which is the topic of this thread..."the catholic church"

I wholeheartedly agree.

Yes, public school teachers are a joke, they were a joke when I was in school (usually the band directors or coaches) and they're even more so now. In the UK the sexual shenanigans of priests of the CofE have such a well earned reputation that they're practically part of the national identity. Protestant ministers in the US engaging in "counseling sessions" with adult female congregants is SO ingrained into our public consciousness that well, does NO ONE remember Hawthorne's "Scarlet Letter"?

All of this is part of our cultural heritage and for the most part we express neither surprise nor great concern except when personally impacted. But the very idea that Catholic priests are breaking their vows and engaging in sexual sins with males above and/or below the age of consent draws forth a fiery outrage in every human heart...

AND RIGHTLY SO!

The idea that bishops of the Church are covering up the scandal and in some cases even facilitating it is so outrageous as to make me long for the days of the inquisition.

We Catholics must clean our own house and more importantly be seen doing it. Bishops, priests and laity must be involved in public penance for the scourge of homosexuality that God has allowed to infiltrate His priesthood. Abusers and predators MUST be removed from public ministry. Credible accusations MUST be acted upon. Facilitators must be stripped of ecclesiastical authority.

Maybe when the priests and bishops of the Church are seen to be keeping their vows and promises the laypeople may return to keeping their own.

And on that note: I'm back.

[caww]

Good post...

I was visiting the Vatican site where the letter the Pope wrote to the Irish Church is recorded... and even he said basically the same thing. Admitted the evidence could not be denied. Also read of the Popes instructions to the leadership. No doubt he expects leadership to act WITH the civil authorities.....but if they will or not remains to be seen.

He also called on the membership to accept the fact this is a very serious problem within the church and for the membership to realize the truth that it is. No denying or protecting anymore. And He acknowledged leadership had indeed protected Priests and had not a few choice words to them as well.

I thought he wasn’t hard enough on the perps though. He still left a window open for them that is discomforting to say the least IMO. But he did basically tell them to fess up to their crimes.

I also think that as the catholic church “cleans house” these perps who haven’t yet been caught are going to move right into the Protestant churches, as well as others. Deceptive men they will formulate some way to continue their behavior in another setting. Am Very concerned about our children....

[Grizzled Bear]

For his part, CBS president Howard Stringer defended the network with irrelevancies. “Your criticisms were not shared by a vast majority of our viewers,” he sniffed, adding that “CBS News and its affiliates received acclaim from most quarters . . . In sum, this was a broadcast of which we at CBS News and I personally am proud. There are no apologies to make.”

Misinformed idiots are misinformed.

[Grizzled Bear]

I guess that makes it all better now. If we post it five more times, would that qualify to grant an “indulgence” for future sins?

[Yaelle]

I don’t think this is a problem with catholicism. It’s a problem with the corrupt Cardinal Mahoney.

[johngrace]

If we pray I believe in the power of prayer. If you do not that's your view. You may not agree with me. But I believe on your right to your view. Which I believe Independence Day is about this very Freedom.

So you and your family have a blessed Happy Fourth of July today! Let's remember what it really means! God Bless!

[Cronos]

I also think that as the catholic church “cleans house” these perps who haven’t yet been caught are going to move right into the Protestant churches, as well as others.

Good, you can have them, they can join the rest of the perps who already joined your cult

[caww]

lol

[caww]

the reason this has not been done so far is because it is even more wide-spread than imaginable and it goes very high up the chain. I also think a big reason is that many parrishes would find themselves leaderless and the church cannot afford to lose their monetary support. That, I think, is the primary reason why this terrible problem will drag on for years to come and that there will continue to be new victims who will face a lifetime of shame, regret and lost faith.

Exactly and good post!