OHIO
Toledo Free Press
In 2006, when Toledo Catholic Diocesan priest Father Gerald Robinson was convicted of the brutal murder of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl, many wanted to believe he was just a “bad apple” and that the Toledo Catholic Diocese was not a “bad pie.” However, the controversy surrounding diocesan administrator Father Charles Ritter’s decision to bury Robinson as a Catholic priest, arguably weakens that position.
Since Robinson’s passing, we’ve heard from many upset groups.
First, there are Catholics, some offended that a convicted murderer is being buried as a “priest in good standing.” Then, there are victims of violent crimes and their loved ones, distraught that Catholic officials show such disregard for those whose loved ones have been murdered. Next, there are child sex abuse victims, devastated that Robinson is being afforded such honors, because he’s also an accused child molester. Finally, there are average citizens. Some have called this callous move by Robinson’s church supervisors another example of their flagrant disregard for anyone outside of their exclusive membership.
For each person who has reached out to us, we share all of their pain and outrage. What good could come from the Toledo Catholic Diocese honoring a convicted murderer? It is apparent that the feelings of those slighted don’t matter much to key diocesan decision-makers. It seems the feelings of Robinson’s church colleagues are weighted higher, and those colleagues apparently feel it’s appropriate to bury a convicted murderer in full priestly robes with full priestly honors. They seem blind to the fact that this rubs even more salt into the already-deep and still-fresh wounds of so many others who aren’t part of the privileged clerical caste.
The single church official who is perhaps most responsible for this callousness is Father Ritter, who has been vocal that they’ll follow the usual protocol for a diocesan priest’s funeral, as if somehow “business as usual” is OK when dealing with a murderer. Why is Pahl’s life comparatively being so devalued? Is it because she’s an elderly woman and nun? Since priests convicted of murder are exceedingly rare and Robinson is believed to be the first to be convicted of murdering a nun, what protocol covers this unique contingency?
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