Of course, and contrary to popular belief, the sordid clergy sex scandal is not a thing of the past.  It is only the tip of the iceberg, (to use a cliché that works here), and it isn’t ever put to rest by cash settlements because cash settlements, no matter how large, do not HEAL.  (Settlements should be large.)

Here in the diocese there has been collateral damage which was to be expected but for some reason was unseen by most people.  And of course the result of this collateral damage has further inflamed the hatred toward victims.  How many times do I have to preach that the anger has been misplaced?  It should not be directed toward the victims but should be directed toward the long line of gutless bishops, enablers, and clerics.

Now, and I’m really tired of hearing this, there are many people crying out for the kids that go to a school that will close at the end of the year because of the bankruptcy and settlement to abuse survivors.  The school cannot function on its own, doesn’t have the enrollment to be a viable Catholic school and cannot survive on its own merits.  My question is why these same people were not crying out for the child victims of sexual abuse who are now adults?  I keep hearing, in reference to the children at the school that is closing,  things like, “These children are innocent.” & “They haven’t done anything.”     Well I have to ask what it was that I did to merit the special attention of sexual abuse?  I was innocent too that is until I was molested.

People are unwilling, or maybe it is that they are unable, to see victims as innocent at one time.  The innocent kids who are attending a school that will close at the end of the academic year are the ones who got off easy.