Catholic Family Campaign

I read an article earlier tonight on the San Diego Union Tribune website concerning the settlement between the Diocese and victims of abuse.  What really struck me as disturbing was the amount of hatred toward Catholicism and Catholics on the comments to the article.  I thought that I would share my contribution to the discussion. 

I can’t believe all the hatred towards Catholicism and Catholics on this board!

Granted there were many Priest who are guilty of these crimes
against these victims. And there are members of the hierarchy which
failed to act to protect further victims either through their own
incompetence, neglect or as a result of bad counsel from professionals
who said that the perpetrators were “cured”. These folks should be held
accountable.

These type of settlements do not result in that accountability, only
an awarding of $$ to the alleged victims and various attorneys. In some
cases, this is exactly what is needed to allow the victims to get
appropriate counseling, obtain closure and to move forward. In other
cases the $$ are going to go to individuals who may not have been
victimized and/or to Lawyers who have made a career of suing the
Catholic Church. I would suggest that the good that results from
helping the victims out ways the harm in “awarding” $$ to non-victims
and that nothing positive can come out of trying to paint the lawsuits
as “all about the money”.

With that being said, I find it appalling and unconscionable that
many on this board are using this opportunity to validate their hatred
and/or distrust of Catholics and the Catholic Church. As with other
faiths, Catholics have a long history of standing up for and providing
assistance to those in need. These services are provided through
shelters, hospitals, schools and other charities. These are the areas
that are going to be impacted by the large judgments. So please, do not
encourage folks to stop supporting their Church. There are still many,
many good men and women doing Christ’s work through the Catholic
Church.

Please join me in praying for the victims that they may find the
peace in their hearts to heal and get past this, for the perpetrators
of the abuse so that they will repent and make peace with God before it
is too late and for the good work that the Church has done in the past
and that it will continue into the future.

God Bless,

Tags: Family Values, Religious Freedoms // Add Comment »