Seminarians deal with scandal’s fallout
September 28, 2010
Discussing the effects of the clerical abuse scandal on their vocations, some seminarians told Our Sunday Visitor about the contempt and ridicule they have received, while one spoke of his distrust for older clergy.
“Lots of people will make joking references to the sex abuse scandal upon learning that I am studying to be a priest,” said Patrick Brosamer of the Archdiocese of Anchorage. “When I wear clerics in public, I often get dirty looks from strangers. Many people hate the Church.”
“I find that it is difficult to not question the judgments of any priest or religious who has been ordained or professed longer than ten years,” said Dominican Brother Gabriel Thomas Mosher. “I’m always wondering if they have done something bad and have not been caught, or if they knew about something bad and didn’t report.”
“As a religious I find that when I am interacting with the public I am constantly concerned about how my interactions with youths will be interpreted,” he added. “I know that the loss of trust that is in my own heart is also a disposition that others have when they look at me. It is as if there is a perpetual Sword of Damocles over my head.”
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Posted by: Obregon -
Sep. 29, 2010 12:38 AM ET USA
How sad, how utterly sad to read these reactions from consecrated people, and yet, the reality is that many will suffer for the sins of a few!
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Posted by: -
Sep. 28, 2010 9:29 PM ET USA
May Our Lord protect all Seminarians, to stay with it! Don't give up hope, even though so many have already. People who sever their faith in the Church often break with God, and that is tragic, no matter what the reason. Let us do all we can to keep it together, in the Name of Jesus!
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Posted by: -
Sep. 28, 2010 4:03 PM ET USA
Brave men. I know how they feel. Whenever a silver-haired priest (whom I don't already know) steps into the ambo, I quietly brace myself for the inevitable heresy I am about to hear - and am rarely disappointed.
