Posted on 01/09/2004 10:29:58 AM PST by servant675
BISHOP BANKS NEVER ACCEPTED BLAME FOR SHIELDING ABUSERS
Bishop Robert J. Banks, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, gave up control of the Diocese of Green Bay on Dec. 12, 2003. Although all those who rule can claim certain "accomplishments," those who are supposed to be spiritual leaders have far graver responsibilities.
They must not only care for the souls of their flock, but possess a sensitive conscience, set a good example, avoid scandal and, especially, possess humility, for a humble person admits his sins and seeks the forgiveness of those he has harmed.
However, Bishop Banks admits to no sins, and in fact continues to ignore the sufferings of the victims of the sexual abuse that occurred under his authority in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Protecting priests who broke not only God’s laws, but also civil laws, does not weigh on the conscience of this bishop. Becoming an "accomplice" to those sexual abuse crimes is simply explained away by stating he was just following “procedures.”
In portions of an interview in “The Compass,” the newspaper of the Green Bay Diocese (Dec. 5, 2003), here is the “confession” Bishop Banks has left to us, as well as to those who were victims of sexual abuse by the priests he protected:
“‘I don’t think I did anything wrong,’ he said, expressing regret that there wasn’t more in the procedures and policies of the time that would have allowed the Church to stop abusive priests faster. ‘Bishops are accused of cover-ups. So it just doesn’t do any good to explain what was going on. It’s something that happened; you have to live with it.’”
How strange it is that we are now asked to pity spiritually lukewarm and negligent bishops more than the victims of sexual abuse, who for the rest of their lives, to a far greater degree, will “have to live with it.”
_______________________________
Additional comments on the above letter:
From the remarks of Bishop Banks, and other bishops, we may conclude the following:
1. Bishops do not sin, they only make "mistakes," and have "regrets." 2. Bishops blame "procedures and policies," and even the Church Herself for their sins, and do not accept personal responsibility for them. 3. Bishops do not express true sorrow to those they have caused harm - they shed no tears for the victims of sexual abuse, or for the souls that have been lost due to their lukewarmness, and neglect. 4. Bishops continue to protect other bishops. Very few have a deep love for Christ, and His Church, and therefore the vast majority lack the courage to speak out, and admonish their "brother" bishops.
Vincent Bemowski http://www.CatholicMessagesUSA.CatholicWeb.com/
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