11. * What happened to the bishops? Nothing! They are still primarily looking out only for themselves. The image we had of them was only in out minds and in their propaganda programs. After all, looking good is what they do best so they work hard at pretending that none of this has happened and what did happen is all over.
12. * As an active priest in good standing and member of a Diocese, I get to be regularly appalled at the pretence of "doing something" and the total lack of real concern for those whose lives have been forever shattered. As long as the real cause of the problem i.e unbridled clericalism and imperial attitudes among the clergy and especially among the bishops, continues, we will not see any real solutions either.
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As an advocate for nationwide legislation that would return civil due process in a court of law to victims of past clergy sex abuse crimes, it is evident that the crimes of Soul Murder destroy lives just like the crimes of Murder.
However, Soul Murder crimes are controlled by civil statutes of limitations and victims of Soul Murder are forced to suffer in shame and silence, without legal due process. Does our society recognize the emotional, mental and physical disabilities that often follow clergy sex abuse?
California's 2003 Sex Abuse Law led the nation in proactive government leadership. Government, religious and legal advisors continue to play the "ostrich", hoping that the sex abuse crisis will disappear. To all who believe the clergy sex abuse crisis will come and go in the near future -- guess what? We are here to stay until victims of Soul Murder crimes and their families regain due process guaranteed to all persons equally.
We are taught to pray, believe and respect freedoms of religion, press and opinion, free from abuse. However, "What Happened to the Bishops, their Legal Advisors and Government Leaders?" (next week).
Debby Bodkin
www.catholics4justice.com
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