SunJournal.com - Maine diocese offers new details on priest suicide


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Posted By:paul at July 10, 2008 9:17 AM (Suggest Removal)
I don't know the rules governing these cases, but it seems to me that a suspension is an effective public accusation. If I am not in error about that, why couldn't these things be handled more discreetly, without publicity, as happened here? My real fear is that accused priests and religious generally are being denied due process, the presumption of innocence, and all the safeguards the rest of us take for granted, and that both members of the legal profession and plaintiffs may be taking advantage of this for monetary gain. The accused event took place 29 years ago, when this priest was young and inexperienced. Doesn't that matter, not to mention his apparently sterling service as a priest since that time? And what now of the damage done to the faithful in those churches, and in the Church generally? Who is accountable for that now, not to mention this priest's death? Surely, mental illness may have been a factor in his actions, too? Why was this never mentioned or explored? Catholic clergy continue to be vilified and pilloried in the American press and media. When will the injustice of that be realized, not to mention the monstrous disservice being done to the American people by this additional assault on the spiritual life of the nation? Paul Corrao

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Posted By:S at July 10, 2008 10:15 AM (Suggest Removal)
Wow paul. What about the VICTIMS of these priest. The CHILDREN that placed their TRUST in them? Do they have no rights? And as far as it happening 29 years ago what differnce does that make? It's still a crime against a child! It jsut means he had 29 years of freedom to possibly do it again. It's a shame the man is dead but he decided to end his own life. and I'm sorry but that means one less predator on our children. Personally I'm sick to death of these perverts getting away with it and because they are with the church we are suppose to do it "discretly"!? Come on! HE RAPED A CHILD! Bing with the church should afford him no special privaleges that any other person would get.

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Posted By:Miss at July 10, 2008 11:08 AM (Suggest Removal)
S, I'm sorry, but if you have read all the articles surrounding this story, there was an ACCUSATION, and an accusation only. There is no concrete proof to either prove the priest committed a crime, or to prove his innocence. The american justice system requires all parties be assumed innocent until PROVEN guilty. There is no PROOF this priest did anything illicit with this teenager. Paul is correct, and your tirade just proved his point about the lack of presumption of innocence for the accused. Rape is an awfully strong word to throw about - the allegation, and let's not forget it was ONLY an allegation, indicates "sexual abuse" - which does not automatically preclude the man "raped" anyone. Sexual predators are proven to be repeat offenders - there is always more than 1 victim. Why, in 29 years, especially with all the press coverage of the misconduct by catholic priests, has only 1 unsubstantiated claim come forth? Your argument becomes valid only if and when others come forth - and ONLY if those others have documentable evidence. Any accusation of sexual misconduct against ANYONE, not just a priest, is a reputation destroyer. Even if the accused is proven to be innocent and the "victim" is proven to be a liar, the "accusation" stygma forever follows that person. 29 years ago, the priest would have been in his 20's and the girl was, according to the article, a teenager. Was she 13 or 19? I am, in no way, trying to defend pedophiles. Nor am I saying the young girl is lying about her experiences. What I am trying to do is point out the validity in Paul's comments, and the irrationality of S's. Though S does have a point - being with the church should not afford this priest any "special privileges" - the church does not NEED to afford him any special privileges, the Supreme Court & the Constitution provide ALL accused persons with all the "special privileges" they may need. Was the priest guilty? No one knows. Was he innocent? No one knows that either. "Judgement is mine, so sayeth the Lord." - And S is not Him. Neither am I. "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

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Posted By:PR at July 10, 2008 12:08 PM (Suggest Removal)
Why should this accusation be handled discretely? Isn't that what the Catholic hierarchy did over the years in situations such as this one until their "discretion" caught up with them and they got sued to the point that they had to combine or close parishes? Maybe they are trying to be more transparent regarding accusations of sexual abuse. Is it fair to publicize the name of someone accused of a crime? Well, the Sun-Journal publishes the names of people accused of crimes every day. Just take a look at the Police Logs.

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Posted By:S at July 10, 2008 3:40 PM (Suggest Removal)
Miss if he wasn't guilty why did he kill himself? I think that speaks volumes as to his innocence. It's still early let's see how many people come forward on this. I don't see how you can say I was on a tirad when I was pointing out what has been going on with the churches. You and Paul both seem to agree that it should be handled "discreetly" would you want to be trusting your child to a man who is suppose to be doing gods work and is hurting children? I don't. They don't deserve any more rights than the rest of us. And since they are in such a positin where we should be able to trust them then yes the public does have the right to know, "accusation" or not. So if I'm "irrational" in wanting to protect the kids then I'm fine with that. Personally I think that it is not only irrational but irresponsible to push it under the rug because its the church. Keep turning a blind eye and keep letting the kids get hurt. Yup that's rational...

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Posted By:Tepgunset at July 10, 2008 4:30 PM (Suggest Removal)
LOL...hey people, public domain and all that jazz aye? If you are accused of a crime then it IS the publics right to know regardless of guilt or innocence. We see it every day in newspapers around this state...and this country. Why should a priest get preferential treatment? Priests and organized religions ARE given due process...the very same due process we all are given. The evangelical religious right, the "moral majority", organized religions, the self righteous, the self!professed morally superior...etc, etc, etc...THEY are these very same people who make the moral codes that we are all forced to live by regardless if we are in their religions, or believe their moral codes or not. We put these ultra religious screwballs into the halls of power (look at Bush) and allow them to make the laws (conservative supreme court) and we must abide by them. Then alllll of a sudden when they start getting caught they cry immunity from prosecution, diplomatic immunity, or site presidential privilege. Priests (especially priests) and politicians, and cops should ALL be treated just like the rest of us lower class citizens. If we are forced to abide by laws (freedom of the press / publics right to access of knowledge) then EVERYONE should also be forced to abide by them. Stop your bellyaching and get w/ the program. Too bad the guy killed himself...but I have to agree...that in itself, to me, is a sign of guilt...especially when Catholics, the last time I checked at least, consider suicide an unforgivable sin and one a soul can not reach "heaven" by committing. ~T~

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Posted By:BROADSTREETER at July 10, 2008 4:36 PM (Suggest Removal)
To S. remember you are not the Judge and or the Jury each case should be handled on its individual merits with due process. If you are having a problem with the Church find help do not drag it into the public Forum here rather he was or was not guilty is not our position to argue. I remain confident that His Excellency the Bishop of Maine acted with equal justicce for all concerned. It seems too bad it ended this way for in fact if the Alleged woman has not come forth how can there be a trrue complaint but rather third party heresay evience. Sad Sad. We should be praying for the repose of his soul as a human being rahter than condemning him without facts.

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