Posted on 10/21/2006 9:25:18 AM PDT by Vox Clara
TEHUACÁN, Mexico — For two decades, dozens of children have accused the Rev. Nicolás Aguilar of molesting or brutally raping them. He faces an indictment charging sexual abuse in Los Angeles and at least five formal complaints in Mexico. Yet at 65 he remains at large, still working as a priest in villages here. In the Tehuacán area, there were complaints about Father Aguilar. Father Aguilar’s long flight from the law, critics say, reflects the ease with which priests can avoid prosecution in the United States by hiding in Mexico, where judges and prosecutors are reluctant to challenge the enduring political strength of the Roman Catholic Church. The case has focused attention on a problem that is not limited to Father Aguilar, but rather, critics say, points to a pattern of complicity by high officials in the church. In September one of Father Aguilar’s accusers filed a lawsuit in southern California alleging that the cardinals of Mexico City and Los Angeles had conspired to help him escape prosecution by allowing him to slip across the border. Both cardinals deny any wrongdoing. But American law enforcement officials and advocates for victims say that since 1995 at least three other priests accused of molesting children in the United States have fled to Mexico before the authorities could arrest them. In other cases, going back to the 1980’s, still more were transferred to Mexico after church officials received complaints about them. “It is symptomatic of a problem that is large and will only get larger in the future,” said David Clohessy, director of the Survivor’s Network of Those Abused by Priests. “More and more Catholic bishops understand these predators are hot potatoes, and it is far safer to let them go into the third world.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Aside... does anyone know anything about the "new documentary film, “Deliver Us From Evil,”" about Cardinal Mahony .
In the past, they were merely shipped out to new parishes. It's long past time for the Vatican to take responsibility.
How is this situation of the "church" protecting dangerous crimininals within their ranks any different than a mullah protecting suicide bombers, etc. within their ranks and mosques?
Corruption doesn't care which religeon it uses.
bump
*As soon as Bush takes responsibility for the sexual abuse in the govt school system
Teachers are being brought to justice in a timely manner. Priests aren't.
Notice the use of the word children. If the author used the word boys, we would be closer to the truth that this as a predator homosexual.........................
Surely you jest.
Since public schools are the primary responsibility of LOCAL districts and state funding and education standards, why in the world would you even suggest accountability on the part of President Bush for "sexual abuse in the govt school system." Tell us you were only kidding...
"It's long past time for the Vatican to take responsibility."
_____________________________
I'm a Baptist, so I'm looking from the outside in. Is it possible that these Priests have been shipped around, rather than thrown out of the priesthood, because there is a shortage of Priests? Also, there is a big difference between accusations and guilt.
Quite a few Mexicans have fled to the USA and authorities in America refuse to send them back. Obviously people who went North say the legal system is corrupt and they won't face a fair trial if they are brought back to Mexico. Just to bring light to the subjet, it works BOTH ways.
It's been proven true time and time again...Birds of a feather flock together...
here we go again.
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.