Excerpts from dispute between bishop, suspended priest

Erie Times-News/GoErie.com ^ | 7/3/2003 | Ed Palattella

[ninenot]

The single most difficult problem about being Catholic is knowing that forgiveness is available--and that people can go through "metanoia", a conversion to the Good.

That's why Catholic jurisprudence (and English/American jurisprudence, based on Canon Law and Judaeo-Christian tradition) is so concerned about the rights of the accused AND appropriate remedies for crime.

Exactly what is justice? It's a tough question. And with this comment, I am NOT making a brief for 'leniency' or for 'let the poor boys go.'

[dsc]

"The single most difficult problem about being Catholic is knowing that forgiveness is available--and that people can go through "metanoia", a conversion to the Good."

As such a person, through the Grace of God and no virtue of mine, I understand that.

If a SSAD sufferer were to undergo metanoia, the very first thing he would do would be to remove himself from the near occasion of sin--he would get as far away as he could from pretty young boys, and stay there. A priest abuser who agrees to continue in pastoral duties has not undergone metanoia.

"Exactly what is justice?"

I'm not calling for justice. I say they must be laicized for preventative purposes, so that they may not continue to commit spiritual murder of the souls under their care.

[ninenot]

Well, your analogy is a good one. But laicization is also a Canonical process and requires (not surprisingly) work similar to that of annulment.

I agree that removing oneself from temptation is a VERY good idea. But where are there NO 'young boys' around which someone might find themselves?

Obviously, assignment to an old-folks' home is one possibility, as long as the priest never goes shopping or to a movie.

Sorta glad I don't have the problem of sentencing these guys.

[dsc]

"But laicization is also a Canonical process and requires (not surprisingly) work similar to that of annulment."

But it is possible.

"I agree that removing oneself from temptation is a VERY good idea. But where are there NO 'young boys' around which someone might find themselves?"

A monastery? A cloister? Gots to be someplace.

"as long as the priest never goes shopping or to a movie."

No one who has molested a child or a teenager deserves either to go shopping or see a movie. Ever.

"Sorta glad I don't have the problem of sentencing these guys."

I'm less interested in sentencing them than just getting them out of the priesthood. Let the law handle it from there.

[ninenot]

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