Posted on 04/25/2002 9:18:29 AM PDT by Notwithstanding
Church uncovers file on Shanley NAMBLA activity
<!CAT-LONW!>
<!SUMM!> In the latest example of the Boston archdiocese's chaotic record-keeping on problem priests, church officials acknowledged yesterday their discovery of new records detailing allegations of the Rev. Paul R. Shanley's involvement in NAMBLA - the North American Man-Boy Love Association.<!ENDSUMM!> The documents, part of a larger group a judge earlier this month ordered turned over to Roderick MacLeish, a lawyer representing several alleged victims of Shanley, were located late last week by an unnamed archdiocesean staff member, the Rev. Christopher Coyne, said an archdiocesan spokesman. ``It's terribly embarrassing at this late date to come out and say this,'' Coyne said in addressing reporters on the lawn of the Brighton Chancery. ``No one knew that the files were around,'' Coyne said. ``It wasn't just one letter that was overlooked. It's another bad thing. It makes us look like we are not being honest. It's just awful.'' The Shanley file released to date - more than 800 pages of secret records - detailed the priest's long history of alleged sexual misconduct, and, on some pages, his admissions of the actions. But more damning were numerous documents revealing that Bernard Cardinal Law, his predecessor, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros, and other archdiocesean officials were aware of Shanley's behavior as far back as 1967, but continued to assign him to posts that put him in direct contact with children. Coyne appeared visibly angry as he revealed the discovery of the documents, saying there is no question now that there had been numerous written complaints made in past years to chancery officials about Shanley's behavior. MacLeish, who will receive the papers today, said he was furious with the discovery. ``If they're NAMBLA materials, as they say they are, then it's absolutely appalling. I can't believe it,'' he said, adding that he intends to investigate how the documents were missed. ``We are taking the deposition of (the church officials) involved in this document retrieval. The truth will have to come out,'' he said. In the initial document release three weeks ago, records showed that Shanley spoke in favor of sex between men and boys at a December 1978 Boston convention that led to the founding of the intergenerational sex advocacy organization. But a Shanley supporter who organized the meeting and later co-founded NAMBLA insists that it has been mischaracterized, and that many different points of view on the subject were presented. ``It certainly was not some kind of a man-boy group,'' said the man, who goes by the pseudonym of Socrates. ``There were social workers, psychiatrists, ministers and even law enforcement personnel. At that time, these issues could be discussed in an objective forum. You can't do that now.'' More germane to the accusations of MacLeish's clients is Socrates' contention that it would have been totally out of character for Shanley to have had violent sex with a 6-year-old. In his suit and in a criminal complaint to Newton police, Gregory Ford, 24, claims that Shanley yanked him out of CCD classes and repeatedly fondled and raped him as a child in the rectory of Newton's St. Jean's Parish for six years beginning in 1984. ``I don't believe it, based on what I know of him,'' Socrates said, insisting that the priest would never have had sex with a pre-pubescent boy. ``I don't believe he ever did anything by force.'' MacLeish vehemently disputed that, saying, ``They say he wasn't violent. That's absolute total nonsense.'' ``I have a forcible rape case against Paul Shanley from 1990 involving a 13-year-old. This notion that you're either interested in pedophilia or ephebophilia (sex with teens) is absolute nonsense,'' MacLeish charged. MacLeish also said Ford and a second alleged victim, Paul Busa, who attended the classes with Ford but hasn't seen him in years, could not have collaborated to fabricate their allegations. ``NAMBLA has as much credibility on this as Ken Lay does on suggestions to reform Enron,'' MacLeish said.
by Maggie Mulvihill and Robin Washington
Thursday, April 25, 2002
The lustful thoughts or sexual actions of a non-married heterosexual man are just as sinful as those of a non-married homsexual man.
I think we heterosexuals get disturbed when we realize that our own heterosexual lust is just as evil as homosexual lust. (I admit - I have had lustful thoughts - surprize.)
That's a good question. There a couple of different things I could say here, depending on what your nomenclature is for "mythology". For example, C.S. Lewis says that everyone has a mythology, but some mythology is true, and some mythology is not. For the moment I will assume that you are asking me an epistemological question about truth.
I will answer you question. But first I would like to remind you that you made a dogmatically certain assertion, first by implication, and then directly, that my beliefs are based on mythology, and I asked you how you knew that for certain. How can you be certain of that?
Now, to the 'symbols' of my faith. In the first place, every one of my opinions on these subjects is, or should be regulated by my faith in God and His Word. That having been said, my faith is not based on mere symbols. It is based on the revelation of God, both in verbal, propositional form, and also His revelation of Himself in creation, including space/time history. It is also based on the internal reality of His Presence in me.
I venture to say that the only reason you would not accept any of these evidences is your prior commitment to your autonomous self apart from God as the final judge of truth.
Now, how do you know for certain that my beliefs are based on mythology?
Cordially,
The Wanderer had a proposal in this weeks paper to petition the Pope to establish a "Papal Legate" to come to America and clean up the situation. The legate would have the full power to fire and hire bishops, clean out seminaries, etc. In fact, I believe the proposol called for simply closing down all the seminaries for a year and then re-opening them with all new staffs.
I will probably write to the Pope urging this type of action IF the American bishops make a mockery of the promises they just made to clean up things themselves.
That is, the letter will be written now, urging the Pope to take over if the Bishops blow their opportunity.
SD
You can't defend the indefensible! Law needs to resign for the good of the Church! So much damage has been done because of their(Law, Medeiros and Chancery Officials) silence that only new blood will be able to rectify the problems. Law knew too much and was way too silent.
Now there's a beauty for ya...the Early Fathers would have excommunicated this heretic. McBrien and the rest of the heretics should be excommunicated with all the pervert priests. Their cancerous infection is causing big damage in and outside the Church.
Is that strawman big enough? Want to try something a little bigger?
Christ can knows the heart of everyman so He can accept a true repentance from such a sinner.
We, not being privy to such knowledge, cannot grant such absolution and must take precautions, such as life without parole.
Unfortunately, we may eventually find out that this is true and not just rumor. In fact, this problem of sexual abuse and priestly homosexuality has been with us for a very long time and is about to be fully exposed. These are just honest intuitions and I hope I'm wrong.
I believe you are describing what is supposed to happen if you confess to your priest according to the Roman Catholic tradition.
I was referring to a more general instance where someone repents to Christ (directly or via His Church). Without that repentance, there cannot be forgiveness.
The Cardinals yesterday agred to crack down on dissent. Now they need to do it, or give way to someone who will.
SD
By definition, no.
Ditto!
Zarf, apparently you are of no religious persuasion. May I offer you an explanation of repentance as to myself...I have just returned to the Catholic church after an absence of number of years....I returned and truly repented, that is, I felt contrite enough to change my ways. God has given me that second chance to know HIM, to love HIM and someday to spend eternity with HIM. ..That, Zarf to you and I will be forever. Peace to you.
Let us pray, SD!
Repentance has to do with what's in someone's heart, and whether he knows he needs to be forgiven. Since everyone has sinned, everyone would go to hell if God did not forgive sins. That can only happen through the blood of Christ which covers believers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.