US Bishops Hear Controversial Speaker in New Orleans

SNAP
June 12, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/la_us_bishops_hear_controversial_speaker_in_new_orleans

We're saddened but not surprised that America's bishops have invited a man to speak to them who minimizes and mischaracterizes abuse.

He's W. Bradford Wilcox, co-author of a controversial recent Washington Post op ed about violence against women.

[ncronline.org]

Bishops do this often - consult with questionable male "experts," men like Paul McHugh who said “I believe that the belligerent frenzy characteristic of media reports on priestly sexual abuse has done much damage and needs to stop."

[articles.baltimoresun.com]

(Bishops put McHugh on their first National Review Board overseeing the crisis.)

Bishops send predator priests to therapists like Father Benedict Groeschel, who said in 2012: “In many cases, the youngster — 14, 16, 18 is the seducer.”

[newyork.cbslocal.com]

Or Bishops pick therapists like Richard Fitzgibbons who has criticized the “zero-tolerance” policy and argues that many accusations are false.

[bishop-accountability.org/]

(Fitzgibbons also diagnosed notorious serial predator Shawn Ratigan as "lonely.")

Bishops rarely "monitor" predator priests. But when they do, they pick "monitors" like the St. Louis nun who said "I would trust them all. I would."

[bishop-accountability.org/]

Here's the bottom line: In the clergy sex abuse crisis, like other arenas, bishops can afford to hire the “best and the brightest” experts. But they don't. They deliberately hire “friendly,” biased professionals who can be counted on to tell bishops what they want to hear and to help maintain the secrecy bishops want with clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

Instead, bishops use their vast resources to hire the “best and brightest” lawyers and public relations people to defend themselves and their reputations.