AG's office asks to monitor priests (Chilling - but, it's "for the children"!

Boston Globe | 3/8/2002 | Boston Globe

[j.frank.dobie]

OK, no Christmas trees in public places, but the Mass AG's office is going to become involved in the preisthood discernment process? Oh, I forgot, it's alright. It's "for the children"!

[KC Burke]

Isn't it nice to see that the minions of liberalism in Mass. are going to keep an eye on the demons of religious authority. < /Contempt >

[Publius]

Some constitutional law experts suggested Reilly's attempt to have such a significant role in the archdiocese's affairs would violate the separation of church and state.

I've seen postings from FReepers stating time and time again that the words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the Constitution. They state this so as to justify the appearance of Ten Commandment monuments on public grounds or justify some other action in which government shows a bias toward Christianity, their favored religion.

Well, there is a down side to this line of thinking. If there is truly no "separation of church and state" in the Constitution, then there is nothing wrong with the hostile takeover of the Archdiocese of Boston by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This sword cuts both ways. Be careful how you wield it.

[Slyfox]

the attorney general could cite the state's civil rights statute in seeking a role in the way the church recruits, trains, and monitors its employees

So what's the state going to do, rely on the same feminoids and liberal hacks who have caused this problem in the first place?

[ikanakattara]

AG Reilly probably realizes that the archdiocesan's "blue ribbon commission" is most likely a smokescreen to deter his prosecutors from investigation. For instance, why would the Catholic hospitals be all ready to get on the bandwagon to "provide help for the victims?" Isn't there a conflict of interest there to have Catholic service providers, who depend upon the archdiocese in order to call themselves "Catholic," administering counseling to victims who are in the process of suing the archdiocese? Seems to me that these victims should have *nothing* to do with the archdiocese period, and should be very careful to check out their attorneys as well. Those who are not independent will probably find their lawsuits compromised.

[Publius]

In truth, a STATE may get involved with religion. The 1st Amendment does not prohibit it. It only prevents CONGRESS from making any laws to that regard. State governments may do as they wish.

Wrong. The 14th Amendment extends the Bill of Rights to the states, so now the 1st Amendment applies to the states.

[KC Burke]

The 14th amemndment could prevent such usurpations, but we need to recall that the SC has enforced it very selectivly. It has not been brought in to defend the Second Amendment rights in thier previous decisions for example.

I think this is a fine path for the leftists to be taking. A game of chicke with the Catholic Church is just what is needed to keep the Democratic Party as credible like that Party's fine leaders in the state.

Liberalism always carries with it the seeds of its own demise.

[rbmillerjr]

The Atty General's plan is a travesty.

So, is the Catholic Church's handling of molestation.

The govt needs to butt out, and the Church needs to get it together, my son will never be an altar boy.

[KC Burke]

The diocese in this area has taken pains in TV interviews to point out how they have had an outside body set-up for many years that investigates all allegations of abuse. The local church authorities apparently play no part in the investigation and only come into the process at the request of the investigative body. Perhaps most areas of the country have such proceedures.

[Renatus]

"It's for the children!!!" Our society could care less "for the children." If it cared it would outlaw abortion at all stages. If it cared "for the children" it would stop sending pro-abortion baby killers to serve as senators and members of congress and governors. I'm disgusted how people use "for the children" to promote their quest for power and the control of the masses.

If they want to monitor the training of priests let them do the same for all professions i.e. doctors, lawyers, counsellors, and ALL RELATED PROFESSIONS AND RELIGIONS. I talked to my doctor about this last week. He said if they layed him off everytime he got some kind of complaint about his practice and behavior he would NEVER get back to work.

Chalk it up to another attack on the sacred priesthood in an attempt to harm and destroy the Catholic Church.

[rbmillerjr]

Hasnt this problem become epidemic at this point? I think the Church needs to take responsibility. What they have done in credible cases is to settle with monetary awards and have the victims sign consent decrees giving up their ability to sue the Church or priest.

What should be is simple. Any claims should be turned over to civil authorities as the law states. These are crimes.

Settling the case and putting the priest back out to prey on other children is not the answer, that in itself is a crime.

[rbmillerjr]

Chalk it up to another attack on the sacred priesthood in an attempt to harm and destroy the Catholic Church.

You are correct, but no more of an attack than the self inflicted wound that the Church is doing to itself in handling these atrocious matters.

[Renatus]

my son will never be an altar boy.

To be an altar boy is a great honor. To serve God by assisting at Mass in the sacred sanctuary where God Himself in the person of Jesus comes down on the altar from HEAVEN and is offered to the Father as a sacrifice for our sins and to know and believe that the Father accepts this sacrifice is one of the greatest honors one can be given. To allow a sicko priest like Fr. Geoghan to deprive your son of this honor is giving him more power than he ought to have.

[KC Burke]

Hasnt this problem become epidemic at this point?

As I am not a Catholic, I don't follow this issue that closely. A lot of the media coverage focus would leave us believing that all aspects of Religion are bad, so I hesitate to assume their focus on this issue in the past decades is indicative or an increase versus a decline.

It is certainly apparent that this Bishop, in this locale, has done a very poor job in this regard.

Anyone, however, that doesn't understand that pedophiles and gays seeking initiation don't gravitate to all places in society where they come into contact with children while they are in a role of authority, doesn't understand those fallen people. It is my opinion that even prior to acting out their evil, that predispostion with implant them in the position to promote their crimes. ALL institutions need to beware, not just churches or boy scout troops.

[ELS]

View the list of Catholic-related threads

[KC Burke]

You did notice that the reporter neglects to give the AG's Democratic party affiliation, didn't you?

[rbmillerjr]

Then the Church needs to aggressively attack this problem, there are clearly many predator priests out there. I am not leaving my child in a situation where he will be alone with a priest.

For example Fr Spagnolia, refused to leave his rectory when told to by Cardinal Law. He manipulated his congregation into applauding and defending him (even though the are totally ignorant of the charges), Spagnolia then went on O'Reilly and lied again.

One day later Spagnolia, admitted to 2 "consensual" homosexual relationships. I suspect this too is a lie and "consensual" is being debated.

[rbmillerjr]

ALL institutions need to beware, not just churches or boy scout troops.

I AGREE 1 MILLION %