Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Freedom Through Truth: Take Them to the Woodshed, Bishops

Speaking to the German parliament, Chancellor Angelo Merkel called for "truth and clarity" in an investigation into sexual abuse of children. Although the scandal sweeping Germany has focused on the Catholic Church, Merkel argued that a candid inquiry should not be limited to the Church but should extend to all of society's institutions. This is an example for our Canadian Bishops to suggest to civil authorities. It would provide an opportunity and forum through which the truth of the sexual abuse scandals (both the initial offenses by offending clergy and the attached scandals of cover-up in various Chancery Offices) could be brought to light. Further by promoting such an approach, the Bishops would be seen as being proactive in an area which has been marked with far too many examples of episcopal protective reactions. It is time for the Bishops to step up and confront this issue directly and cooperatively with civil authorities. Chancellor Merkel may have pointed th...

Two more Irish Bishops named in the Murphy Report have resigned, leaving only one other who still remains as Ordinary of his diocese... and he says that he will not resign. It is truly heartening as a priest to finally see Bishops taking responsibility for their actions and not leaving it to the priests to carry the load of this scandal. I sincerely hope that this attitude becomes "des rigeur" among the the episcopate, not that I hold them in any disrespect or wish them any ill, but it is a necessary step in winning back the confidence of the faithful. I offer my promise and prayers and heartfelt appreciation to these Bishops who are taking the step of resigning. Putting the interests of the Church and the faith ahead of their own demonstrates a true Christian witness that is sorely needed in these troubled times.

US News and World Report publishes an article today commenting on the renewed and strengthened voice that the American Bishops have had on the Health Care debate in the United States, particularly with respect to abortion. It seems that the American Bishops, buoyed by the strong and public witness of what I refer to as the John Paul II Bishops, have been able to influence legislators and public opinion. They have done this through effective lobbying and public statements CLEARLY and FORCEFULLY reminding politicians of the moral imperative of protecting life. A major part of their strategy has been to make full use of the instruments of media that this modern age provides. Another example of this new willingness to use the levers of the media can be seen in the Sacramento Diocese where they are launching a television advertising campaign to reach out to lapse Catholics, inviting them back to Church this Christmas. It is my prayer that the Bishops of Canada and elsewhere might ...

Fr. Brian D'Arcy has posted an interesting response to the Dublin investigation of the Sex Abuse Scandal in which he is calling for the resignation of Bishops who participated in covering up the abuse. It does give one pause for thought when we ask ourselves as priests (whose offending brothers have been removed from ministry) whether or not responsibility of those further up the ecclesiastic ladder should also be dealt with in like manner, not only in Ireland but everywhere this scandal has wounded the church. It might , and I stress might add credibility to those of us who are trying to address the insults and attacks that this scandal has wrought on all the faithful. However... those who are trying to damage the church would love nothing more than to see its priests and bishops warring with each other over who should have to fall on their swords in the wake of this scandal. But, like I said... it's just a thought. Here is a link to the Irish article :

What the hell don’t you understand about the term separation of Church and State. Keep your evil hands off of our Health Care Bill. Mind your own business. We don’t care about your beliefs, and if you want to meddle in our affairs, we will be coming for you. If that’s how you want to play, we will come for your pedophile priests, your ill-gotten money you stole for decades. The Catholic church is just another organized crime syndicate that should be put out of business. Get the f–k away from Congress, or you will regret it … . That’s a real e-mail from a real person. The man who sent it last week was either very candid or very foolish about his anger: he added his real name and e-mail address. I’ve withheld them here because I like to hope that most people, or at least many of them, are better than the poisonous things they sometimes write. But this e-mail does teach a useful lesson, because it’s not just a case of a random bigot getting in touch with his inner bully. Instead, it’...

The Roman Catholic Church should leave its "ghetto" and recognise the importance and reach of the Internet, a French bishop said Thursday. The Internet is increasingly an integral part of everyday life," Monsignor Jean-Michel Di Falco said at the start of a four-day Vatican meeting of European Catholic bishops concerned with the media. "By not being present (on the Web), you cut yourself off from a large part of people's lives," added the bishop of Gap, in southeastern France. He noted three events involving the Church that have "shaken Planet Internet" in recent months: the lifting of the ex-communication of a Holocaust-denying bishop; the ex-communication of a doctor who performed an abortion on a nine-year-old rape victim; and remarks by Pope Benedict XVI about condom use and AIDS in Africa. The pope himself stated at the height of the affair involving British Bishop Richard Williamson that a simple check on the Internet would have quic...

To the Editor: Bishops need to take responsibility for abuse crisis By The Post-Standard November 19, 2009, 7:10AM In today's Post-Standard, a Roman Catholic priest criticizes bishops' handling of reported sexual abuse by priests. To the Editor: As a Roman Catholic priest in good standing, I find myself in the midst of a great dilemma. Of which should I be more ashamed? The fact that less than 3 per cent of my priest brothers have been credibly accused of the sexual abuse of minors? Or the fact that 97 percent of the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops seem to be in a state of invincible denial? The assertion that “homosexuality is no factor in abusive priests” (Post-Standard, Associated Press, Nov. 18) is so utterly absurd as to defy rational credibility. Fact: Ninety-five percent of all reported cases of sexual abuse by priests involved the homosexual predation of teenage boys! What was the bishops’ response as this crisis was festering for more than 50 year...

In the past couple of years, the American Church has seen the rise of more than a few Bishops who have entered into the debates of the day in the public square. While they have been subjected to numerous attacks by those who oppose the role of faith in these debates, their presence has served to strengthen and embolden the resolve of believers. Below is a link to one example: Archbishop Carlson (St. Louis) has taken an active role in the marriage debate, to the point of putting his money on the line in support of efforts to protect the traditional definition of marriage. While Canada has not had as many episcopal voices enter the debate, (God knows we need more!) let all of us commit to supporting and strengthening those who have entered the fray. http://patrickmadrid.blogspot.com/2009/11/st-louis-archbishop-carlson-now-under.html

The following letter was sent to each of the Bishops of Canada. Your comments are welcome. ----------------------------------------- Most Holy Excellency, I write to you today as a faithful priest in good standing of the Diocese of Pembroke to ask of you two things. First I wish to bring to your attention a blog that I have begun which I have entitled, "Where the Rubber Hits the Road" which is dedicated to confronting directly many of the major issues of the day that have beset our Church in the wake of the recent sex abuse scandals which have erupted and whose effects are even now being counted in untold numbers of souls lost to the Church. I have posted there three essays of my own ("Virtual Scandal", "Je me souviens", and "The Dickwad Theory") as well as any other articles or postings that I can find where a Bishop has addressed this myriad of crisises. The address for the blog is: http://frtimmoyle.blogspot.com/ Secondly, and more import...