Wednesday, February 08, 2006
THE COVER-UP ARTISTS ARE STILL AT IT
Spirit Daily links a Reuters story about new discoveries of abuse in Chicago.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, who played a prominent role in the U.S. bishops' response, has been hit with a home-grown scandal involving a parish priest charged with abusing three boys, one as recently as late last year. The priest remained a pastor despite allegations against him dating back several years.
George last week took the blame for that case and ordered a policy change under which any priest accused of abuse would be removed immediately from the ministry until the allegation is investigated. Previously in such cases monitors were assigned to watch over those accused, but the priests were allowed to keep working under certain conditions.
James Dwyer, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Chicago, said that overall "we are happy with our policies and procedures" though in the recent case they were not implemented properly. He said the concept of a "nonjudgmental leave" for those accused will provide "justice to the priest and the parish."
Great. If the policies are not going to be implemented properly, why have them?
Business as usual.
Sigh.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
