this article has been pulled from CNA, should probably be deleted here as well. CNA should’ve known better than to have mentioned the Apostolic Signatura, which likes to keep its involvement in individual cases more secretive so that it can more effectively and impartially impart justice.
Myself and many other students and former students are of the opinion that his evasive answers are meant to protect the seal of confession. The police report (available on the article “Protecting a Punished Professor” on the site of Inside Higher Education) says the police wanted to interview him alone, but he insisted upon the archabbot being present (we believe because he hoped the archabbot would note his evasion and understand there might be an issue of the seal of confession)
If he had knowledge of something on the computer from someone else (and I can attest, tons of students were always using that computer, and many many students often sought him to confess to.. he pretty much always had a stole with him... only place he probably didn’t carry one with him would be when he went plain-clothes to American Anthropological Association conferences to present papers), his answers to the questions make perfect sense.
There are over 1100 students, former students, and alumni supporting him in the facebook group “Friends of Father Mark”... and the group just keeps growing (it’s only existed for a few days)
anyway, I believe it would be the wish of CNA, and probably of the Apostolic Signatura itself, that the article be deleted here as well.
“this article has been pulled from CNA, should probably be deleted here as well.”
I cannot disagree with you more or more vehemently.
If the Church wishes to conduct its investigations quietly, nothing we do here prevents that.
But we have learned very bitterly and at great cost that the hierarchy has not been trustworthy in these matters. The hierarchy often did not protect us or our children (including children sent off to become priests themselves) from predators in the priesthood.
They do not enjoy nor do they deserve our trust in these matters now.
We should endeavor to keep cases like this in the sunlight, as it is a wonderful disinfective.
Jesus commanded us to obey them in matters of faith and morals, but not to emulate them. If they wish to conduct their investigations in the dark, so be it. But we should continue to shine the light on this matter.
This priest should not be returned to his position unless it is reasonably shown that he is actually innocent, not merely free from the certainty of guilt.
sitetest
“... the Apostolic Signatura, which likes to keep its involvement in individual cases more secretive ...”
does anyone else see a problem with this? hasn;t this been the issue for years now - the desire of the church to do everything in secret?