Priest Found Hanged

Nando Times ^ | 05/16/02 | Stephen Manning

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Accused priest apparently takes own life at Maryland hospital
Copyright © 2002 AP Online

By STEPHEN MANNING, Associated Press

SILVER SPRING, Md. (May 16, 2002 7:57 p.m. EDT) - A 64-year-old priest who resigned from his parish in Connecticut amid allegations of sexual misconduct apparently killed himself Thursday at a Catholic psychiatric hospital, church officials said. The Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., identified the priest as the Rev. Alfred J. Bietighofer, who was stripped last month of his priestly powers and ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Two men told diocesan officials Bietighofer abused them when they were boys in the late 1970s and early 1980s, church officials said.

Bietighofer was found hanged in his room Thursday at St. Luke Institute, according to Prince George's County police and hospital officials.

"I am profoundly saddened by the tragic death of Father Alfred Bietighofer," Bridgeport Bishop William Lori said in a statement. "To parishioners and to all those whom Father Bietighofer assisted during the course of his priestly ministry, I extend my sincere sympathy and prayers."

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[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

May 16, 2002

Male Patient Apparently Commits Suicide at Catholic Hospital That Treats Clergy

By Stephen Manning
Associated Press Writer

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) - A 64-year-old male patient apparently killed himself Thursday at a Catholic psychiatric hospital that treats priest and nuns, police and the hospital said.

The patient was found hanged at St. Luke Institute, said Cpl. Tammy Sparkman of the Prince George's County police.

Neither the police nor the hospital released the man's name. Sparkman did not know if the man was a priest.

The Rev. Stephen Rossetti, a psychologist who directs the center in suburban Washington, said the patient was at the hospital for evaluation.

"This is a tragic event for all of us," he said.

Rossetti declined to release any other information, citing confidentiality laws. He said a nurse found the body.

St. Luke treats priests and nuns for a variety of mental health problems, including alcoholism, depression, and pedophilia. About a quarter of the institute's 65 beds are used by clergy undergoing treatment for sexual abuse problems. Its residential programs are open to the religious; outpatient programs are open to anyone.

It has become one of the best-known treatment centers and is used heavily by U.S. and some international dioceses.

--- On the Net:

St. Luke Institute: http://www.sli.org

AP-ES-05-16-02 1927EDT

This story can be found at : http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA58YA9B1D.html

[sinkspur]

In the interest of disclosure, Fr. Corrente was NEVER accused of anything untoward toward anybody. He was just clinically depressed and couldn't seem to shake it.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

There's that guy in Ohio who lives in a rural cabin. Can't recall the name. His TV interview was quite revealing in that he did seem remorseful and fully aware that the prior conduct was very wrong.

[sinkspur]

One down.

Just STFU next time.

[Renatus]

May God have mercy on his soul. And, on the souls of those who have whipped up the Catholic priest molestation hysteria.

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

[galt-jw]

God will have mercy on those with mental illness. He knows.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

St. Luke treats priests and nuns for a variety of mental health problems, including alcoholism, depression, and pedophilia.

How does one "treat" pedophilia..... assuming there's a cure?

[BossLady]

"About a quarter of the institute's 65 beds are used by clergy undergoing treatment for sexual abuse problems. "

This seems poignant...:o

[Renatus]

But he knew deep down inside that it was sinful, was horribly wrong, had probably destroyed lives - and nobody offered him the possibility of repentance and reparation.

The Church is ALWAYS there. Why do you go spreading lies? Goofy!

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

There are apparently certain medical (pharmacological) treatments to reduce their sexual desires. A bit complicated. The problem (supposedly) is in their brain in the way that sexual impulses, compulsions, obsessions, and desires (for whatever reason) focus on younger sexual partners.

[sinkspur]

He could have repented and spent the rest of his life in prayer and fasting, but the modern Church doesn't offer this possiblity.

I don't think you know what the "modern" Church offers. I contend that it's the "old" Church that encouraged the cover-up and the idea that all a pederast had to do was go to confession and his "sin" was behind him.

Which attitude, of course, has gotten us into this mess.

[homeschool mama]

agreed.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

One would suspect that the ratio has something to do with this place being specially designated as a center for such treatment rather than a statistical percentage of all pedophiles or homosexuals.

[Aquinasfan]

But he knew deep down inside that it was sinful, was horribly wrong, had probably destroyed lives - and nobody offered him the possibility of repentance and reparation. After all, the New Church of the Shrink has put aside all of these outdated concepts...

One of the Chief Spiritual Works of Mercy is to "admonish the sinner."

[yendu bwam]

Striving for true repentance is quite a task for many a sinner and it is with God's grace we can accomplish it.

Even more problematic is that many in the Church, including many of its priests and leaders, have been striving to rationalize away many types of sins (especially in the area of sexual morality). More generally, in our church, with a (by today's standards) fairly conservative priest, sin is hardly ever mentioned. No sin means no need to even contemplate repentance.

[oldvike]

Suicide: the one unforgivable sin. As a priest he should have known that.

[spectre]

Sink..Father Joe was indeed assigned to a hole-in-the wall tiny Parish just outside of Little Rock. He used to come to our church and substitute at times. The small town was very supportive of him and were collectively "heart-broken" over his suicide.

He was not a child-molester, never was accused. He left a note indicating he was never able to feel the love that he heard people talk about.

Very sad.

sw

[Waco]

3rd secret of Fatima, anybody????

[BossLady]

Ok then.....the other 3/4s of them are in for depression and alcoholism....as reported by this article....may be that its all related....

[Renatus]

. I contend that it's the "old" Church that encouraged the cover-up and the idea that all a pederast had to do was go to confession and his "sin" was behind him.

That is still true, Sinkspur. And you ought to know it. When any Catholic goes to Confession his or her sin is behind him in the eyes of God and that is all that matters. It has nothing to do with new or old Church. Please stop trying to split the Church up. The Church is ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC. Do you believe this in your "new" Church?