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  Catholic Priest Scandals Receive Favored Treatment by Officials

By Ray Hanania
Southwest News-Herald [Illinois]
September 27, 2005

Is the Catholic Archdiocese a "government within a government?"

That may be true in Italy, where the Vatican has its own laws and police, but is it true in America?

Is it true that if a pedophile is wearing Catholic vestments, he can be protected from the laws of this country?

Pedophilia is a serious crime. Sexual assault of adults AND children is a serious crime. All are prosecuted, unless, of course, you happen to be among the privileged few who work for the Catholic Archdiocese not just in Chicago but across the nation.

I can only image the charges that would be filed and the high profile announcements the Illinois Attorney General or the U.S. Attorney might make if the pedophiles were not Catholic Priests but religious leaders at an Islamic Mosque or a Rabbi at a Synagogue.

So why isn't anyone exploring the possibility of filing charges against the priests who have been identified — reluctantly and belatedly by the Catholic Archdiocese — as having sexually abused children, mainly young boys?

In fact, in any other situation, a sexual predator is forced into the public spotlight and their whereabouts are published on government web pages and in government newsletters to alert residents of their presence in their community.

Not so with Catholic Priests, who abuse and harm and prey on children but are "shamed" by the Catholic Church when they are stripped of their Church responsibilities.

Are they exempt from the law?

Cardinal Francis George permanently "removed" 11 Catholic priests from "public ministry" because of sexual misconduct with children.

According to reports, 14 Chicago cases had been forwarded by Cardinal George to the Vatican for review since new rules on sex abuse allegations took effect in 2002.

"New rules?" Are you kidding me. We don't need new rules. We need to enforce the existing laws.

Two other priests face "canonical trials" - a local proceeding in front of a panel of priests - because the Vatican determined that their cases required more deliberation.

So the worst offenders are required to appear before their peers before being slapped on their hands. Big deal.

None are expected to return to the ministry, the Church said. How about sending them to jail?

One priest was protected by the church for so many years that he died before Church charges could be filed against him.

The 11 priests identified by Cardinal George had worked in parishes across Cook and Lake Counties in Illinois. Some held high-ranking positions in the archdiocese.

Cardinal George says they will be able to live out the remainder of their lives in prayer in a "monitored and restricted setting."

Are you kidding me?

These predators should be charged, and probably are being excused because they are getting a pass from Catholic government officials. There's no doubt about that in my mind.

These child molesters should be punished the way all child molesters are punished, serving time in a jail, identified so that other victims of their crimes might also step forward and seek justice.

The real crime is the misconduct of those in the Catholic Archdiocese who condoned, protected and continue to advocate on behalf of these monsters.

Don't expect law enforcement to rush into the Catholic Church with subpoenas, warrants or demands for justice. That's not how our government works.

It seems, our government and law enforcement officials only prosecute the criminals who are unpopular in our society, usually Black people, Hispanics, Arabs, Muslims, Minorities, foreigners and others.

Our government rarely goes out of its way to set an example against the people who are a part of "society's system."

That is something that should be investigated.


Resources: SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the nation's largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others). Independent and confidential, they have no connections to the church or to church officials. Their web site is www.snapnetwork.org.

 
 

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