New York Times asks: how many more Philadelphias?
April 04, 2011
Reflecting on the discovery that priests accused of abuse have remained active in the Philadelphia archdiocese, a New York Times editorial makes the point that CWN has been making for the past decade: that the US "Dallas Charter" is only as reliable as the bishops who implement it.
The Times observes: "The haunting question is how many other Philadelphias may be out there."
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Posted by: jimr451 -
Apr. 05, 2011 6:35 AM ET USA
Zero tolerance? Is that really what we want? Here's a short interview with a lay person on the review board in Philadelphia: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/03/10/archdiocesan-review-board-member-speaks-about-abuse-allegations/ In short, 7 of the cases had been reviewed, and determined to be unsubstantiated. The other 14 didn't rise to the level that required further action. So now if you want to get rid of a priest you dislike, just accuse him - and he's finished.
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Posted by: JimKcda -
Apr. 04, 2011 9:58 PM ET USA
Good question! Should any of us believe and trust the very people who have been lieing to us for years just because they have the title of "Bishop"? Unfortunately, the answer is "NO!" Lie to me once, shame on you, lie to me twice (or a hundred times) shame on me if I'm dumb enough to believe you!
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Posted by: -
Apr. 04, 2011 6:13 PM ET USA
We may not care for the NY Times much but the question posed is a good one (on the stopped clock theory: it's right twice a day). The soi-disant Dallas Charter is window dressing -- prepared in a panic -- and, as you've pointed out, self-monitoring.