OH--On Friday, murderer/priest to get “full honors” funeral

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
July 9, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/oh_on_friday_murderer_priest_to_get_full_honors_funeral

Toledo Catholic officials are not relenting. They have announced that on Friday they will give a funeral with “fully priestly honors” to a murderer, even as a third national organization has criticized them for the move.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Religion/2014/07/09/Funeral-arrangements-announced-for-Robinson.html

We are grateful there's still time for church employees and members to object to this stunningly heartless act. We hope they will.  

Earlier this week, the Boston-based Voice of the Faithful wrote to Father Charles Ritter, the “administrator” or temporary head of the Toledo diocese, criticizing funerals plans for Fr. Gerald Robinson, who was convicted of murdering Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl. So too has NSAC, the National Survivors Advocate Coalition, and our group.

It's a clear choice for Fr. Ritter and his clerical colleagues: side with one guilty priest or with many innocent victims. Show compassion for one deceased adult who did wrong or for many living adults who are blameless.

A simple, private funeral hurts no one. An ostentatious public funeral hurts many.

We hope Toledo Catholic officials will reverse their painful decision.

(For a copy of VOTF's letter, contact Donna B. Doucette, Executive Director, 1-781-559-3360, dbdoucette@votf.org. A copy of the SNAP/NSAC letter is available at SNAPnetwork.org)

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Groups-oppose-Mass-for-priest-convicted-of-murder-5604170.php