pastores dabo vobis -- or, it wasn't against the law!

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Nov 10, 2004

Springfield's ex-Bishop Thomas "For health or other grave reasons" Dupre broke out the champagne today in the episcopal rumpus room at St. Luke's.

New Hampshire authorities said Wednesday they cannot prosecute Bishop Thomas Dupre on sexual abuse charges dating back to the 1970s because it wasn’t a crime at the time to have sex with teenagers who were at least 16. ... Delker said that since the accusations against Dupre involved having oral sex with two boys who were between 16 and 17 at the time, the act would not be a crime. At the time, it was not illegal to have sex with someone 16 or older, he said.

Fine. Criminal law cannot bring Bishop Dupre to justice on the grounds that sodomizing a 16-year old wasn't illegal when it occurred. It was, and is, a mortal sin. One might hope that Dupre's brother bishops had concerns for his immortal soul, and the immortal souls of his juvenile partners, that went beyond the New Hampshire Criminal Code.

Freshen that drink, your Excellency?