Notes and Quotes... Let's Talk about It...

Father Kenneth Lasch
March 2, 2017

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Website Editor’s Note: Last week, I posted a combination of several articles dealing with the unfinished business associated with the scandal of sexual abuse in the RC Church. I realize that many if not most folks in the pew assume it’s over and done with. But alas, notwithstanding Pope Francis’ intention to hold accountable bishops who defaulted on their responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults, in fact the process of adjudication and justice has broken down. In his Apostolic Letter, ‘As a Loving Mother’, Pope Francis laid down the procedure whereby bishops are to be held accountable: “The diocesan Bishop or Eparch, or one who holds a temporary title and is responsible for a Particular Church or other community of faithful that is its legal equivalent, according to can. 368 CIC or can. 313 CCEO, can be legitimately removed from office if he has through negligence committed or through omission facilitated acts that have caused grave harm to others, either to physical persons or to the community as a whole. The harm may be physical, moral, spiritual or through the use of patrimony.” [Article One, § 1}

The Commission established by Pope Francis to deal with allegations of sexual abuse has been stalled for over two years.

In the light of so many wonderful words and counsels written and spoken that have emanated from Pope Francis moving the Church toward a renewal spearheaded by the Second Vatican Council, it is disheartening to acknowledge the fact that he has dropped the ball on following up on his own admonitions and exhortations regarding sexual abuse. There is no question that justice and mercy must embrace [Psalm 87] but there can be no mercy until there is justice, no justice until there is full disclosure and accountability.

The following video except is riveting testimony that has emerged from the Royal Commission on Sexual Abuse in Australia. It may be rightly assumed to be testimony that might be duplicated in other parts of the world. Based on the history of sexual abuse in Ireland, in the US and in other countries across the globe, it is chilling to imagine what such a commission might yield in this country. Click Testimony.

Pope Francis: his words and his actions don’t coincide, and Catholic clergy sexual abuse remains a crisis

It appears that the safety of children and vulnerable adults is not a priority to Pope Francis. As Pope, he has all the power and authority he needs to make things happen in the Catholic Church. But in matters of clergy sexual abuse he has failed, perhaps because of his reluctance to walk in the shoes of the victims / survivors. Actions speak louder than words.

On March 1 Marie Collins of Ireland resigned from Pope Francis’ Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. She is the second victim / survivor of clergy sexual abuse as a minor to step away from this commission. The other is Peter Saunders of Great Britain who took a leave of absence from the group about one year ago.

In her public resignation comments Marie indicated that her dismay lies mainly in both the continued reluctance of the Vatican Curia to implement recommendation of the commission that the Pope had approved, and in the failure of Pope Francis to follow his own norms for holding accountable culprit bishops and religious superiors who negligently handled clergy sexual abuse allegations. Peter spoke similarly when he stepped away from the commission in February 2016.

The Catholic Whistleblowers Steering Committee congratulates and thanks both Marie and Peter for their courage and prophetic leadership.

Moreover, we realize that the Catholic Church is not competent to remedy its clergy sexual abuse crisis and scandal. Thus, the civil governments must act, be that at the federal, state, or local level.

Actually, Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has functioned so productively these past few years provides an excellent example of what is needed. And we strongly support any and all civil authorities who establish such commissions. It’s about protecting minors and vulnerable adults.