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February 4, 2007Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
Please consider confronting the importance of discussing the clergy sex abuse crisis that erupted in 2002 not only in the U.S., but throughout the world, on the O'Reilly Factor in the near future.
As shown by the point of view in the article published in http://www.opednews.com on January 31, 2007 ("Clergy Sex Abuse - History in the Making - Will Our Children Witness Truths or Denials of Justice?"), all children deserve to witness public debate and corrective action in matters relating to the common good, safety of children and vulnerable adults. As a former teacher, there is no doubt you can relate to the ongoing challenges in education today, especially as it relates to discussing politically-sensitive topics, the No Child Left Behind Act and specifically, the clergy sex abuse crisis.
As the wife of an educator who has taught in Catholic and public schools, the sex abuse crisis has raised public awareness but has also placed obstacles in the education system because of the adults that continue to squirm, discourage, over-react and avoid discussing politically-sensitive topics in the classroom.
My husband is near to completing his Masters Degree in Special Education; and, as I walk this path with him , and as I walk the path of our children who have attended public and Catholic schools and colleges throughout the U.S., and as I walk the path with clergy sex abuse victims and families in support of legislation throughout the U.S. that would return justice in a court of law to those denied justice....
please make a choice to join the life path of those struggling to stop the political, government, religious, legal and media influences that have aided and abetted our society's failures to protect children from clergy sex abuse crimes and political retaliations that often follow the exercise of free speech, press and opinion.
There are still too many adults, Catholics and non-Catholics, squirming at the mention of the clergy sex abuse scandals. PR strategies that intimidate the public's right to participate in matters of interest and safety only place more confusion in the minds of children and those who protect them as mandated reporters, parents, teachers, coaches and attorneys.
As a society, we all walk a life path that includes teaching children in homes, schools and the media, how to be responsible, accountable and dignity-respecting human beings, as future parents, teachers, government, political and religious leaders. However, legal technicalities, media spin and twisted truths that continue for self-serving agendas, to escape accountability for sex abuse crimes committed by employees of religious institutions, must stop to ensure the law and order of living in a democratic and free society.
By copy of this email, I urge all concerned Americans to promote the importance of openness, transparency and public debate in the U.S., especially when it relates to politically-senstive topics, in the interests of justice and the protections of God's most precious gift to the world, children.
Debby and Michael Bodkin
http://www.catholics4justice.com
cc: President George Bush
Pope Benedict XVI (BenedictXVI@vatican.va)
National Association to Protect Children
U.S. Department of Justice
Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests
(SNAP)
Coalition for Truth
Call to Action
Voice of the Faithful
OC Weekly
Orange County Register
Los Angeles Times
