Posted on 04/16/2002 5:54:11 AM PDT by sinkspur
A bishop can transfer a priest for any reason, or no reason. Hiding behind "Canon Law" is not going to work when the offense involved touches on the sexual abuse policy while the Catholic Church in America is on fire.
Not that I want to make any excuses for this priest, but could this perhaps be a mitigating factor? It is incomprensible that one priest could minister to 10,000 parishoners, let alone do background checks. It boggles the mind just to think of the number of baptisms, weddings and funerals, to say nothing of sick calls, confessions and counseling. How is it possible?
Thank goodness the Church has acted responsibly.
And I figured you'd side with someone who lied to "authority" and jump on that authority when it takes corrective action.
Hint: let lay people do some of the work. Steve's old school and probably doesn't any laymen handle parish money either (though I don't know that for sure).
And, while he's the only resident priest, he has help on Sundays for Mass and confessions.
From the looks of things, he didn't realize how serious the bishops of Dallas are about avoiding even the hint of sexual scandal after paying out $31 million to victims of Rudy Kos in 1997.
Did you read the stuff I bolded? Apparently, he didn't do ANY background checks. If he did, there was no evidence of them, anywhere.
St. Thomas is a wealthy parish, and there are no doubt lawyers in the parish. Arch McColl lives in Dallas, so he's likely one of them.
Why did he lie? Why does anybody lie? Who knows?
My impression is that he just didn't feel like these background checks were all that important. Like Fr. Efren Ortega, who was transferred for not checking the backgrounds of some nuns in his parish, Steve may feel that the diocese should just trust his judgement.
Defects? If I ever lied to my boss, I'd be out on the street in an hour.
That being said, St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the loveliest churches in Dallas. As a Lakewood native, I have spent many happy hours during my years there running and walking up and down Alderson Street in the evening, and I always looked forward to the corner of Alderson and Kenwood where St. T's is. Although I never participated in the Mass there, the building and grounds have a quiet, solid, almost Oxfordian dignity; they almost exude peace.
Let's all pray for the Diocese of Dallas, and the parish of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Don't think he has to do background checks on the parishioners, just the staff, and he probably has or should have hired the staff to do that. With a congregation of 10,000 they are probably flush with funds unless they have transferred it to President Clinton and the Catholic Priest legal defense (of sexual abuse) funds.
Normally, a priest accepts reassignment by the bishop and that's that. But when he is openly accused of this kind of horrific lapse, then the whole can of worms fall out, and a priest has a right to ask for fair and just treatment.
I haven't yet seen any denial that the bishop gave him 30 days to straighten it out. The impression I get from this is that Fr. Bierschenk made a mistake but that the bishop has panicked under pressure and has made a bad situation worse.
Complicating the issue is the fact that the Bishop of Dallas, Charles Grahmann, made the 30 day offer, and the Coadjutor, Galante, decided to make the transfer after discovering that there were NO records of ANY background checks EVER being done.
I'm sure Steve's embarrassed, but he ought to just take his lumps and move on. He's not going to win this thing, especially when the bishops are erring on the side of caution.
Of course he wouldn't do background checks on parishioners, that wasn't my point. I neglected to take into account that laymen perform many of the priest's duties in the Novus Ordo churches. I am pleased that the standards are tightening and that this priest was held accountable for his inaction.
Don't count on it. I'll give odds. There will be some kind of "new dialogue" BS or some other irrelevant buck pass.
...a Cardinal MAHONY that is now saying he has a SeX Abuse Fix-it Plan just as he is being called to Rome to talk things over with the Pope.
BAD BOY, BAD BOY.
If that is the answer, it is the height of arrogance, not to mention that obedience is a part of his vocation. It is frightening to think a priest could believe he could pick and choose which rules/laws should be obeyed. What kind of example is that for the Faithful?
It appears that the pedophilia scandal is also outing other disgraces.
What I find amazing is the support he is getting from his parishioners. The background checks are for the safety of the children. It is a hassle, I know, I've been through it in order to teach Sunday School. It's also an expense, but it has to be done. I'm Presbyterian and know how difficult it is to let go of a beloved pastor, but I think the diocese needs to take a stand on this one and the parish needs to move forward.
I am also curious about the comments from the new Parish in McKinney. Aren't they a little concerned about this priest who has a record of cutting corners in this very important issue?
Peace, TS
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