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  Perry Dunlop Being Persecuted As a Whistleblower; Former Officer's Actions Have Taken Courage

By Roger Roy
Standard Freeholder
March 6, 2008

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=931035

There was a time unfortunately, when I could have been excommunicated from my church for writing this letter, and might even have found myself the star attraction at a local community barbecue.

Those days are part of history now, at least as far as my faith and religion are concerned. Pope John Paul himself, on one occasion, pleaded publicly with Catholics and Christians to study their own history in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Not an easy task. His critics within the church were quick to shut him up, but at least he had the courage to face that past and speak out.

Galileo and Martin Luther, both Catholics, can attest to the fact that it often doesn't pay to be "ahead of your time" when it comes to religion, any religion.

I have to ask myself if that element of fear might not be part of the reluctance of some individuals to come forward, or testify at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.

Because of my early education as a Catholic, I know it is a factor I have had to consider.

In his recently published book "Secrets of the Vatican" (now circulating in Cornwall) Cyrus Shahrad, a graduate of Cambridge University, refers to a letter written by their Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 2001.

That letter supposedly ". . . forbids all members of the Catholic church from speaking publicly about the pedophile priest scandal on pain of excommunication."

Not having heard of, or read any other reference to such a letter, I tend to be skeptical that such a letter ever existed, although it might help him sell his book. On the other hand, Ratzinger's (now Benedict XVI) reputation lends some credence to the possibility that such a letter does, or did, exist.

For a practising Catholic, the word "excommunication" is probably more frightening than being fired from a job, at least as far as my parents," and my own generations are concerned.

I'm sure as a human being Perry Dunlop may have made some mistakes along the path he chose to take.

That still doesn't detract from the courage it took for him to speak out publicly against what he saw as wrong, not only within his own profession but with members of his own faith.

It is easy for most to understand the risks of losing a job, a pension, a way of earning a living, and losing the respect and/or support of your peers.

The pain of dealing with the failings of individuals within your own faith, and the consequences, is a factor that most of us might not have considered. Perry chose to "stay and fight" rather than leave his church as many do.

Believe me, that takes more courage than those outside the church might realize. The fact that most crimes of sexual abuse occur "outside the faith" I am sure didn't bring Perry much comfort, or make it any easier to swallow the betrayal of those in authority.

Why has he become a target of our justice system when others, perpetrators, those in authority, and those involved in the various attempts at cover up, have not, and may never be called to testify?

Holding those accountable for obstructing justice by attempted cover ups is what will bring healing to the survivors and this community, not the persecution of the whistle blowers.

Is the inquiry really concerned about promoting "healing?"

As a survivor, I don't think so.

 
 

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