The paper my mom works for is a large professional, independent publication for Catholics. It is not sponsored by or endorsed by the Church. It was founded when I was a kid by a group of journalists, who were Catholics, who thought it would be good to have independent reporting on matters involving faith and commitment, peace and justice, and other issues of concern to Catholics. My parents were part of its founding. Some of the big-wigs in the Church hate the paper, of course, and others love it or at least see its value. Anyway, it has always remained a rather small operation, and NO ONE tells it what to write about or how. I can personally vouch for that.

Their first story related to the pedophile-priest scandal was written almost 20 years ago, in 1983. Their web site has gathered together links to their past and present stories. It is probably the most thorough collection, with the most intelligent perspective vis a vis this problem within this church, that a person could find.

Maria

Hi Maria,

There was huge public Scandal in Ireland where various orders were taken to court because of the amount of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that went on in schools.

My eldest 4 brothers were educated in a private school run by the christian brothers. All of them witness horrific things but only two of them have talked to me about it. One of them ened up in counciling as a result which when he requested some funding for this from the "order" was given without any questions being asked. It's quite desturbing to hear them talk about it.

Lack of proper accountability seems to have allowed a situation of "where anything goes" to reign.

Lov n hugs

Lis

Thanks for posting this link Maria. I've spent a bit of time reading through the articles, and I have to say that through the pain and the (natural) outrage I feel a sense of community and genuine moral concern that is warming, though the problem itself is alarming. I applaud your parents and others who have take the reins of accountability (and yes, Tink, the lack of accountability is surely a big part of the problem where abuse by priests, teachers or others in a position of trust and authority is concerned) and had the courage and honesty to discuss openly what would surely be more comfortable left hiding under the carpet. I think that bodes well for the Faith.

Love,
Greg