Priest molesters need prison time

Salina Journal
April 05, 2019

https://bit.ly/2I4cB3M

I read the article in The Salina Journal: “Salina Diocese releases list of substantiated abusers” (March 29 issue).

As a youth, I knew former Rev. Robert Reif who served at Saints Philip and James in Phillipsburg. My late grandmother Dora Marples’ home was at Agra 10 miles away and my late mom and I would go to Mass there.

The other name I know from my adulthood, the former Rev. Allen Scheer who served at Esbon (only 3 houses south of our home) as well as simultaneously serving at Smith Center with main parish being at Mankato.

When mom and I first moved to Esbon, Father Scheer saw me on the front porch sweeping and my mom hand sewing pillowcases. He introduced himself, although we had been to Mass many times.

In 2002, the media nationwide broke the news of the clergy-sex scandal (although it has existed for centuries). With the scandal in the news, I was horrified how he spoke of his days at seminary fairly graphically.

I was appalled with that talk from a clergyman, especially within earshot of my then 80-year-old mother. As I say, I was sweeping the porch and gradually swept near his feet. He backed up and off my porch. He left in peace.

I motioned for Mom to come in the house. I told her: “I will take you anywhere to Mass but not to a priest I have no confidence in.”

I ended up taking her to Mass in Beloit and to Superior and Nelson, Nebraska. Gut instinct was right. Priests convicted of heinous crimes should be imprisoned, not merely laicized. I wasn’t a victim but feel vulnerable potential victims need protection.