Cardinal Law's Aide Told Victim: "Sex Acts by Priest Are Expressions of Affection"

Boston Globe ^ | 4/12/02 | Sacha Pfeiffer

[Dr. Scarpetta]

In 1988, several weeks after Pollard reported his alleged sexual abuse by the Rev. George Rosenkranz to the Archdiocese of Boston, the church official who handled abuse complaints said he found nothing to justify removing the priest from ministry.

The Rev. John B. McCormack, now bishop of Manchester, N.H., said Rosenkranz merely had ''sexual issues,'' adding that what Pollard viewed as abuse - acts that included Rosenkranz's request that he masturbate in front of him - may simply have been expressions of affection, according to Pollard.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I guess we should be thankful that there are official records that belie the coverup, lest these derelict bishops profane the sacrament of confession by hiding behind the seal of confession.

How very right you are...

[Rum Tum Tugger]

Why did the media have to wait until I became a Catholic to expose how much scum occupies the Catholic Bishops' offices and the Catholic Priesthood?

It was a plot just to make me look like a fool to all my Protestant friends, wasn't it?

[JMJ333]

agenda indeed.

#5: Cardinal Law's Aide Told Victim: "Sex Acts by Priest Are Expressions of Affection" To: SmedleyButler;Palladin;Sinkspur; Tumbleweed Connection;SlickWillard;drstevej;madprof 98; ex-snook 5 posted on 4/12/02 9:19 AM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

Cardinal Egan Didn't Report Teen's Pregnancy by Catholic Priest To: Aliska;madprof 98;drstevej;ex-snook;eno;Buffalo Bob;Algone 2001; 5 posted on 4/12/02 8:17 AM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

1: Storm swirls around Cardinal Law 1 posted on 4/11/02 7:13 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

#1: BROOKLYN DIOCESE IN DEAL WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEYS 1 posted on 4/11/02 7:01 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

#55: SOURCE: CARDINAL LAW RESIGNATION IMMINENT To: fatima 55 posted on 4/11/02 6:35 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

#2: Sex Scandals Worsen Catholic Church's Financial Woes To: Tumbleweed_Connection 2 posted on 4/10/02 9:33 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

8: BETRAYED: Where's NY Cardinal EGAN? [replaced an alleged abuser with an alleged abuser] To: Palladin 8 posted on 4/10/02 9:08 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

#29: Archdiocese Knew Priest was a Rapist-[Documents Released] To: Palladin 29 posted on 4/10/02 8:22 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

#6: An Obvious Question [Church Blackmailed by Pedophilic Priest?] To: SlickWillard 6 posted on 4/10/02 8:15 PM Central by Dr. Scarpetta

Apparently you don't have much other interests.

[NYer]

Good point!

Tom Brokaw reporting on NBC Nightly News yesterday, said that "most catholics want the church liberalized to allow priests to marry". Like that will solve all the pedophilia problems. It's the encroachment of liberal thinking on its members that has brought the church in america to this level.

See: Church Crisis Threatens Charities, Schools, Hospitals

[eastsider]

I think there's much to be said for a more active participation of the parishioners in certain aspects of selecting our priests. For example, I believe the names of candidates for the priesthood should be posted before and throughout their seminary formation in such a way that the parishioners can comment on their suitability, just as we post marriage banns. I would limit this participation, however, to comments on the candidate's character, not his theology.

[tracer]

The Catholic faithful deserve infinitely better than this. The Roman Catholic Church must without delay expell the wolves in its midst or face an eventual implosion.

As horrendous as these acts of pedophilia are with regard to their effect on victims, far greater damage may occur in the form of millions losing their faith and the saving effects of religious faith on their lives in this world and the next.

I truly hope that the jackals in the media do not facilitate the destruction of the spiritual home of God's children with nothing to replace it....

[Rum Tum Tugger]

One of the things that is absolutely disgusting is how many lay Catholic sycophants are actually helping the Bishops cover their asses.

The Florida Catholic reported today that wherever my Bishop Lynch (who is almost certainly a sexually active homo and is certainly a liar) goes, he is followed by a troop of media reporters and cameras. What's disgusting is that he is also followed by "hundreds of Catholics" who are "showing their support" and keeping the media at bay. I'm sure all those sycophants are there voluntarily -- not.

[07055]

You overlooked a very important point, These priests left the priesthood. Once you are out then you are no longer under the shadow of the bureaucracy’s protection.

True enough.

But, I bet that their leaving was not voluntary in many cases. Many priests would probably have been happy to continue their sexual relationship with a woman and remain in the priesthood.

However, once it was learned that (horrors), the priest was having sex with a WOMAN, that choice was taken away pretty darn fast and he was forced to leave the priesthood (or be defrocked).

Contrast that with the reaction when the good Cardinal learned that a priest was anally raping boys.

He merely removed the priest from his current parish, sent him to another Church to take charge of their "Youth Program," and gave him a raise in pay.

[tracer]

Correction: "....spiritual home of God's children....." should have been written as "....spiritual home of so many of God's children....."

[RobbyS]

"McCormack, Shanley, and Birmingham were seminary classmates. Did Father Shanley get favorable treatment when he was accused of sex abuse because of his homosexual seminary relationships" ???

If they were "pals" they would have felt a special loyalty, because at that time seminarians who strayed were booted out in disgrace.

[uncbob]

When I mentioned to my "Liberal Long-Island Teacher's Union" relatives that it was more a Homosexual problem than a Religious problem, they almost went berserk! (Thier reasoning was it was boys because the priests had more contact with boys than with girls, therefore NOT a gay thing). Well, then how come the Boy Scouts don't have that same problem?

To some extent they are right

If it was hetrosexual priests having close contact with and power over teenage girls you would see similar scandals but probably not as serious

That is why the BOY SCOUTS don't want homosexuals in their organization and it should be also why GIRLS SCOUTS should not have lesbians>

I am sure nobody would reccommend men be allowed to be in intimate contact or leadership positions in the GIRL SCOUTS

Spirit is willing and flesh is weak etc etcf

[eastsider]

seminarians who strayed were booted out in disgrace.

What I want to know is, why aren't the predator priests being given the same treatment now? IMO, the bishops who facilitated their behavior should be unceremoniously removed and replaced immediately by priests who are above reproach. The standard must be zero tolerance, and it should be implemented swiftly and decisively

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I DO see the media's hyperventilating on this issue --and its comparative lack of hyperventilation over the much worse child abuse committed by Palestinian terrorists-- as an attack on the Catholic Church.

Is Barney Franks Catholic?

This is no different than Arafat, he doesn't want the land and the Rats aren't concerned about whatever sexual issues which exist. Arafat wants to eliminate Israel and the Rats want control of religion.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

In a deposition, it was Daily who, when asked why he had not acted more decisively when he was informed in 1980 that a Jamaica Plain parishioner had accused Geoghan of abusing her sons and nephews, replied: ''I am not a policeman; I am a shepherd.''

Well, he could at least try to get his fellow "shepherds" to leave the church or leave the "sheep" alone!

[Romulus]

It was a plot just to make me look like a fool to all my Protestant friends, wasn't it?

I'm not trying to make light of your dismay -- this anguish is something we all feel. But should anyone fling this in your face, you might remind him that all churches have sinners. The Catholic Church is about truth, not about the moral goodness of its ministers. Any church that bases its claim to worthiness on the moral goodness of its ministers is building on mud and shifting sand.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I hope they find out soon if that also applies to prison inmates.

Hmmmmm, I suppose it would be prudent at this point to examine the possible meanings of "You goan be my bitch!"

[Belial]

The RC church has a problem with homosexuals, not pedophiles.

You're no different than media hacks who are riding this scandal in order to attack the church.

The problem is priests molesting children, pedophiles, and the priests who abet them. Equating that with homosexuality is sloppy thinking at best.

More likely, you don't care a whit about the real problem of children being abused. This is just another opportunity to indulge your hate.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

John 8:
31 - Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

[RobbyS]

zero tolerance Right. I almost hope for more revelations. I think we have got the bastards on the run, Just keep them moving--out.