tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post2534798646665463247..comments2024-03-25T20:03:03.657-06:00Comments on Καθολικός διάκονος: A matter of conscienceDeacon Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-87714532971095045252011-06-07T12:48:38.510-06:002011-06-07T12:48:38.510-06:00Thanks, Dan. I certainly want to be fair to Bishop...Thanks, Dan. I certainly want to be fair to Bishop Finn, especially given the seriousness of all this. However, I think given the gravity of such cases and the pain and anguish they cause, His Excellency could've troubled himself to read the memo and then to act. The current norms are crystal clear: any credible allegation merits suspension and investigation AND church officials are not exempt from mandatory reporting laws, plus they are to fully cooperate with law enforcement. <br /><br />From where I sit, which is not in a position of authority in such cases, I would say that if one is to err, let him err on the side of protecting children, even while jealously safeguarding the accused's presumption of innocence under both criminal and canon law.Dcn Scott Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994604395739905637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-20338479572953748872011-06-07T12:39:58.645-06:002011-06-07T12:39:58.645-06:00For what it's worth, here is an article about ...For what it's worth, here is an article about it from the diocesan newspaper.<br /><br />http://catholickey.org/2011/06/01/diocese-faulted-for-handling-of-accused-priest/<br /><br />This is a horrible situation, but it's hard to see how Finn could have done more at the time.<br />Hindsight is certainly 20/20, but he did take steps to remove him from public ministry.<br /><br />Without a warrant, no one can simply walk in and take all of his things to look for evidence. Is that to be the new procedure now that the Bishops should be following?<br /><br />Bishop Finn did something that i haven't seen other Bishops do. He went out into the community to listen to the faithful. <br /><br />Another frustration that I have is the Vatican. They put the local Bishop in a bad situation.<br />The Vatican claims jurisdiction over these cases, yet chastise the Bishops for not doing more when they've been told that they must strictly abide by the rules set up in Rome. You can't have it both ways.<br /><br />UGH!Dan S.noreply@blogger.com