Better yet, how do they say it without a robot heart? On Monday, 38-year-old Reverend Daniel McCormack pleaded guilty to molesting five boys at St. Agatha Parish and Our Lady of the Westside School. He received a five-year sentence and was immediately was taken into custody.
At first, we were actually pleased. It seems we never hear about any priests who actually get called out into the public eye and who even make it to court (a feat huge unto itself, it seems) getting any sort of jail time or punishment. So we were kind of like, "Good! It's about time!" Until, we heard this. According to the Sun-Times article, "Archdiocese spokeswoman Colleen Dolan said the perception of McCormack's crimes was worse than the reality. The priest admitted he pulled down the pants and fondled the genitals of five boys, but prosecutors never accused him of sexual assault, or rape. "He has not been accused of rape. Never," Dolan said. "There's a big difference between abuse and assault. It wasn't assault, which is a more egregious crime."
Right. Sure. Absolutely. We definitely would rather be fondled than actually penetrated. Yeah. Touche. Fair enough. But what kind of fucking monster says that? "Your boys didn't really suffer as much as everyone thinks they did. He didn't ass/mouth rape them." Are we wrong? Isn't that pretty much what she said?
Why on earth wouldn't you make a very humble/apologetic/concilatory statement? Why wouldn't you just say uh ... nothing? We know for a fact that when Jesus said, "Suffer the children to come unto me," he didn't have any sick-ass priests in mind.
"Prison Corridor" by *Mark Pennington
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and they wonder why attendance at mass is down
Another example of why the Catholic Church is becoming completely irrelevant to people
It is sick all right. But people should also report on all the good the Catholic church has done. Catholic Charities is the largest private network of social service providers in the US. And no one complains when they are being treated at one of the many Catholic-sponsored hospitals across the world.
No one is contesting what Catholic Charities does. How does that even fit into this? A sick and perverted act was done to children by a man who for years was hidden away by the powers in the Church! That's what this is about - ABUSE and the MEN who cover it up to protect their own asses! The Catholic Church has MUCH to answer for in covering up this rampant and ongoing abuse.
Guest 3: One has nothing to do with another, and I do not think that people are disputing the good things the Catholic church has done. It is sick and horrible what has happened to these children. If it was my boyfriend or father or brother that committed these horrible acts instead of a Catholic priest, I am sure that they would not have the protection or leniency that these priets (not just McCormack) have received. For the archdiocese to make light of these crimes is even more disgusting.
What I also find sad and disgusting is the fact that when the plate is passed around for money during each mass, that money is not only going toward the charities that you speak of, but the defense of these criminals and the settlements to the families.
It's guest 3. I agree with both of you. But I think a lot of people actually don't know that the Catholic church does a huge amount of good because it is rarely reported. It's an important element to the conversation.
In terms of this case and the Church's overall cover up, it's disgusting and infuriating, and everyone involved should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, then some. I am in complete agreement.
Guest 6: How should these good works be reported?
Should there be a paragraph in the middle of a story about a molesting priest that says, "Despite this, the Church continues to perform charity work throughout the world, as has been the case for roughly 2,000 years?"
Or, should newspapers devote specific stories to the charity work of the church?
I think most people are aware that most churchs do charity work. I am not sure what such reporting would add beyond a small dose of Church-friendly PR. Spearding the word about its chartiy work seems an effort best left to Church marketers, not the mainstream press.
For better or worse, news usually is the unique and unusual and shocking, and molesting priests still have shock value, and are still relatively unusual (despite all the cases).
Yes, I think it should fit in the news somewhere that in 2005 Catholic Charities helped nearly 8 million needy people in the United States distributing almost $4 billion worth of aid.
Guest 3: With your logic, we should list all the good works people and places do as well as the criminal acts:
"Mr. X raped and murdered 2 girls, but he donated his time to the soup kitchen down the street and gave money to the Boys and Girls Club."
Do you think that is appropriate?
I guess if that happened, yes. Anyway, I do agree with the author's original point, that these comments are completely inappropriate, and unfortunately point to more arrogance from the Church. I just wanted to point out that the Church does a lot of good, too, but maybe in this context that comment wasn't appropriate. I think a lot of people should be made to answer for this rampant abuse.
Guest: Do you happen to work for Catholic Charities?
And what about all the other good deeds the church does? I know some mightly fine Jesuits, for instance, and a decent priest or two. Not all of them are fucking little boys, I guess.
I think your idea is unworkable, to say the least.
hey guys .... hate to diverge from all of your good discussion topics (seriously), but i think this thread is a PERFECT example of why y'all might really want to seriously consider registering in for comments. make up a pseudonym! but this "guest ..." "yes, guest..." "well, guest guest..." thing is kind of ridiculous, don't you think?
what are you all so wary of?
Re: Is 5 years enough for priest who abused boys
The comment from archdiocese spokeswoman Colleen Dolan, stating that "the perception of McCormack's crimes was worse than the reality. The priest admitted he pulled down the pants and fondled the genitals of five boys, but prosecutors never accused him of sexual assault, or rape. He has not been accused of rape. Never, Dolan said. There's a big difference between abuse and assault. It wasn't assault, which is a more egregious crime," proves that the Archdiocese of Chicago still doesn't understand the dynamics of children being abused by clergy or what to do to promote healing.
Trauma has little to do with what body parts were touched or what part went where. It has everything to do with betraying trust, being closed and dishonest about what has happened, taking ineffective steps to prevent further harm and offering a legalistic response when a victim discloses abuse. Dolan's recent outrageous comments will serve to further traumatize those victims and their families.
When are Catholics going to start demanding that their bishops and their representatives do a better job to protect children and vulnerable adults? When will they ask those in charge who fail to protect children and further harm those already victimized to step down?
So how about our legal system treat us all equally for a start. This sentence is a mockery of justice yet where is outrage? If it were me or you who committed these crimes could we expect the same? I doubt it.
I grew up in a catholic orphanage run by Catholic Charities: The real heroes are those who donate the money, not the high hatted people who administer the funds. That money was used to facilitate, harbor and protect those who on numerous occasions sexually assaulted me and HUNDREDS of others, all because total lack of accountability by the Jesuits and a half a dozen other religious orders.
Thats what its all about today; holding those responsible for such acts and those responsible for covering up and protecting these monsters accountable. Then and only then can the "dignity" of the church have a chance at restoration.
The same chance I have.
And what of the good deeds?
I asked to address the congregations that so willingly donated their money to keep alive a 4year old orphaned boy; to thank them and tell them how grateful and to help them understand that giving with out accountability makes them partners in these crimes against humanity.
Denied.
What I found is people give out of their sense of guilt, to ease their conscience, that when people give out of love they make an effort to see how their gifts are used. Thats accountability.
teddy
The archdiocesan flack couldn't have said much else, since the kids' parents / guardians will, if they haven't already, sue the archdiocese. If the archdiocese falls all over itself apologizing, it'll probably be used against it.
The church may do a great deal of good, but it can't expect people to consider its charitable works every time another one of its priests turns out to be a pervert, especially since the church seems to have a positive genius for ordaining people with, shall we say, issues in this area.
Colleen Dolan's reaction to the incredably light sentence imposed on MCormack speaks volumes for the Archdiocese and, indeed, the entire hiearchal church from the Vatican down. Not only don't they get it, they are too self absorbed in their lust for absolute power to give a damn. They have no interest in the wefare of the children in their care, except in the context of how much money they can suck out of their hard working parents.
Interestingly not a public word of compassion nor apology to the children, their families or community was forthcoming from her (the Archdiocese's) lips.
He got 5 years and may get out in 2-1/2 with good behavior. I was abused by a priest, in this diocese, in 1952, I am still serving my sentence with no possiblity of parole. My crime: trusting a catholic priest as a 14 year old convert.
Recovering Catholic
Colleen Dolan demonstrated the utmost insensitivity towards those victims. She is the confidant of the Cardinal. He has not said anything to correct her public comments. They need to be punched in the face and then thrown out of the archdiocese. I'll pray for them after they leave. How would you feel if she said that about your brother or sister? She is a despicable sociopathic apologist.