Posted on 06/24/2011 3:32:49 PM PDT by Gamecock
We are saddened and appalled that Cleveland Catholic officials won't remove a plaque honoring a cleric credibly accused of child-molesting, as requested by one of his victims, Barbara Johnson (Plain Dealer, Monday).
Because the alleged predator is dead, the full truth about him probably will never be known. But this much is clear: The church hierarchy must choose between the feelings of two living women and the reputation of one dead priest. They are choosing to side with the alleged criminal over the alleged victims -- the side that top church staffers have almost always taken for decades.
Church officials will no doubt claim these two women are the "only accusers." If that's the case, it's only because church officials refuse to actively reach out to others hurt by Monsignor Nicholas Monaghan.
Of course, they can take a clear and free step toward the truth with a two-sentence notice in parish bulletins, saying, "We have an allegation that Father Monaghan molested a girl. If you have any information that might prove or disprove the allegation, we beg you to come forward right away." This costs nothing and would show that the Catholic hierarchy welcomes victims and cares about victims and about the truth. However, Cleveland church officials apparently refuse to take this simple, noncontroversial move.
A cowardly response would be for church officials to "split the difference," taking the accused priest's name off of only the building or only the plaque. But Cleveland Catholic hierarchy can't even bring itself to take this minimal step toward compassion.
Our hearts go out to Johnson and Karen Roman, who said she, too, was groped and kissed but was not "traumatized like Barbara was." We applaud them for their courage. We hope and believe their bravery will help bring them healing. We are confident that their speaking out will help and console and inspire others who suffer in shame, silence and self-blame.
We are not confident, however, that Cleveland church officials will ever live up to their promises to treat victims with compassion.
These were teens, not children.
Self-refuting.
Amazing how so many FRoman Catholics chase their tails over perceived issues with our Orthodox Presbyterian FRiends, especially when you consider the sexual abuse that is sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church.
You might want to check the news. The article is dated the 9th of June, and I gather the offending plaque was removed on or about the 16th.
Pity it got to the point that such articles had to be written to shame the Roman Catholic Church to take the plaque down.
Then again, that’s the way Rome has dealt with this whole scandal.
"Because the alleged predator is dead, the full truth about him probably will never be known. But this much is clear: The church hierarchy must choose between the feelings of two living women and the reputation of one dead priest. They are choosing to side with the alleged criminal over the alleged victims -- the side that top church staffers have almost always taken for decades."
Further, other letters posted, as well as other follow-up stories all indicate that the accused priest was well loved by female and male students alike.
So what exactly were you trying to accomplish by posting this thread? That you endlessly scan online sites looking for any trace of dirt on the Church - proven. That you are waging a petty and vindictive agenda that only serves and bolsters the other opponents of the Church's agenda; those who would have on demand abortion, homosexual marriage, euthanasia, communism, racism, eugenics and a host of other ills - proven. So, in the big picture of the attacks on Christianity whose side are you really on?
You wrote:
“the sexual abuse that is sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church.”
Okay, I’ll bite:
1) Show us the document that shows the Catholic Church sanctions sexual abuse by clergy.
2) If you cannot show such a document, would that not indicate that you are in error?
3) Since you have made similar statements in the past, and have always failed to provide evidence of such, what exactly does that tell us about your efforts and motives?
If you do a search you will find the plaque was removed. By the way it was hardly honoring him it simply stated he had founded that parish church.
I don’t doubt the guy was a total creep who did force himself upon teen girls. He seemed to be attracted to one certain type and used his position of authority to quell any protest from the victims. But no he was not a pedophile and no he most likely did not have hundreds of victims. He did commit sexual assault and his behavior was inexcusable.
This was not a news item it was a press release by SNAP. A press release that leaves out these facts. The abuse happened over 50 years ago and the priest died 40 years ago. Also the victim was not just shunted off to the cold by the Diocese who treated her allegations as having bearing.
“Ongoing therapy
The Cleveland diocese has been paying for Johnson’s therapy since December of 2008. Each session is $110. Johnson no longer goes every week. She said she usually goes every other week or once a month.
“I send them invoices and they keep paying,” said Weston, her therapist.”
The diocese also did tell parishes to request any other victims of sexual abuse (not just by Moneghan) in the diocese to come forward.
The priest died in 1967 at the age of 85. While it is possible that he was a total creep it is doubtful. I for one am not willing to convict based upon the testimony of a couple of alleged victims "remembering" the events 50-60 years after the fact when many others remember him fondly.
The cast, vast majority of the sex-abuse cases (85%+) were by homosexuals. But that fact does not in any way diminish the severity of the crimes, or the injustice of any cover-up.
Also, by the way, the offending priest died in 1967. The first the diocese heard of any complaints was over thirty years later. Hardly any type of cover-up, here.
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