Why is Archbishop Weakland, who had transferred priests who had been accused of molesting young adults, to return to other parishes, being praised for “coming out” and in support of same-sex sexuality? Those people who practice and promote same-sex sexuality are the same people who condemned Cardinal Law in an unmerciful manner. Cardinal Law transferred priests who had been accused,then received treatment, and then were recommended by the psychiatrists at the treatment centers for being allowed to return to a parish. While Cardinal Law was naive and should have made sure that the priests who had violated young adults were never in a situation to do so again, many of the the people who condemned him are now praising Archbishop Weakland. In fact the 2 priests who lead the Priests’ Forum in the Boston Archdiocese, Fr. Walter Cuenin and Fr. Robert Bullock(now deceased) who called for Cardinal Law’s resignation, used to go to the local public high schools(Newton and Sharron) to give praise to the students who were recruited by counselors who were paid by PFLAG using state funds to join the Gay/Straight Alliance clubs which made arraignments for the students to attend the Gay Pride Parade, Gay Pride Prom and other social events where they were encouraged to link up with ‘mentors’. In fact, Fr. Cuenin was honored at the Gay Pride Festival for his support for their agenda!
Why is Archbishop Weakland being praised for his support for same-sex sexuality? Yet, Cardinal Law , who is a celibate priest, is condemned and is treated as a ‘man without a country’.

I’m sure he isn’t the only gay archbishop…there are probably many in the RCC. I tend to admire his coming out, but have no use for the fact that he was part of the routine of passing molesting priests from one parish to another.
The RCC should be getting a clue…priests should be allowed to marry. No, it wouldn’t solve all the problems in the RCC…but they might have happier priests…both hetersexual ones and homosexual ones. While they contemplate married priests, they should also contemplate women priests…
Who gets the money for this tell all book he has written?
Patricia, Cardinal Law is exactly where he should be (since the RCC chose not to kick him out), in a place where he has no power.

The whole “congratulating him and offering prayers of support.” thing shows a weird sense of values and it is on the rise.

II’m surprised Rembert Weakland isn’t going to prison over that much money, and that isn’t even addressing the soul-killing matter of sending out wolves into his flock, or his open support of those who would kill the Church trying to remake it in their own image.
He may be moving on, but he’s 82. He may not be a victim, but has left in his wake many who have cried out to God for justice. Pray for his soul! It won’t be long now before God’s terrible mercy is upon him.

Strangely enough, I agree with cknuck’s statement (only to a degree, or course). Why congratulate a gay person who has spent their life working for an organization that preaches that non-heterosexuality is “intrinsically disordered”? Forgiving him, I could understand, but he doesn’t deserve a pat on the back for supporting the RCC all these years only to come out now. And, he may have assaulted someone? I think the LGBT community can choose better heroes than this.

Did anyone miss the $450,000 that he used to pay off his lover? Doesn’t the RCC have accountants?

Yes do all the archbishops have $450K laying around in petty cash? Pretty cushy job. The hardest part may be to keep track of which parishes the sexual predators have been in so as to not send them back or probably even next door.

No heroes in this story. Just lot of people who have been hiding, lying, and avoiding the truth. The RCC was duped in many ways, the arch bishop was a liar – as much to himself as to the Church. The kid was played and seems to be trying to manipulate something mor eform the entire situation.
No, no heroes, buyt there are a lot of people in need of some forgiveness, genuine reconciliation,and some hope.It might not be too far from the truth to say that this is the consequence when an organization values itself and its control & rules over love, caring, and working with people as they are.

Here’s a new AP article about a trial opening in Seattle.

The case for unspecified damages could turn on testimony by retired Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, 87, who has been summoned as one of the highest ranking Roman Catholic clergymen to testify in an abuse case against the church.

At issue is whether Hunthausen and other archdiocesan officials were told that [former Spokane priest Patrick G.] O’Donnell molested boys repeatedly before he was abruptly moved to Seattle from Spokane for deviancy treatment in 1976 and whether he was properly monitored before he returned to Spokane in 1978.

This is not, of course, the retired archbishop of our article but it seems illustrative of the attitude where more concern was given to the church personnel and to the reputation of the Church than to the parishioners and their children.
Or, as jestrfyl put it, when an organization values itself and its control & rules over love, caring, and working with people as they are.

While I am in no way defending nor, justifying the actions of the archbishops in hiding and/or moving around priests that abused young people…..I do want to point out what should be obvious. It was not one or two bishops/archbishops/cardinals participating in the cover-up…..it was systemic. It seems obvious that either these guys were following direct instructions…and/or Church policy. Something they must have found at the very least…acceptable if not preferable. To a great degree, it was probably also….generational.
Most of us shudder at the thought that at one time it was considered that: a husband had a right to rape his wife…..parents had a right to severely beat their children….it was perfectly acceptable that women not be able to vote….white people had a right to own slaves….etc.
Rather than continue to beat this (I hope) dead horse….I would suggest we look at today/our current time and ask what are we allowing to happen/continue….that will look just as horrendous in a few years.
These things come right to mind for me:
In some states, denying gays/lesbians the right to marry the person of their choice. DOMA’s
Our fed government encouraging some of our brave military personnel to lie….or, denying them the opportunity to serve our great nation. DADT
In some states, denying children an opportunity to live in a family with loving parents by denying gays/lesbians the ability to adopt.
Bullying for any reason in schools from elementary to High School.
Allowing some children/elderly/other citizens to have no regular medical attention and/or preventive health care.
Torturing of prisoners.
Putting some people to death. Even worse that some turn out to have been innocent.

I am in no way wanting to diminish the cover-up and endangerment that the RCC did for decades (perhaps centuries)….however, there is nothing we can do now to end what seems to have been ended. We can however end the abuses we currently allow.

Excellent reasonings John Q, and well said.

Thanks for the good news, Husband. Yea!

JohnQ nothing is obvious, your heart is in the way of your speculations.

Husband: “Uruguay just lifted its ban on gays in the military.”
Why would they do that? Don’t they realize the threat to their security they’ve caused? Gay soldiers might spontaneously start making out on the battlefield. Or they might check out the other soldiers in the shower. It must be true: otherwise the opposition here in the U.S. is just scaremongering.

cknuck-
I want to understand….but, you lost me. What are you saying?
Henrietta-
As always, thanks!
Peace!

In case anyone ever reads this, there’s a NYT article about this with a LOT more information.

nnmns-
Thanks for the NYT article.
Peace!