61 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 7 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Clergy Sex Abuse - What Has Happened to Our Country's Judges?

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   1 comment
Message Debby Bodkin
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)
As a supporter in the Survivors of those Abused by Priests, Voice of the Faithful, A Coalition of Truth and founder of www.catholics4justice.com, not a day goes by that our society does not read about another judicial ruling by a Judge that denies due process to a crime victim or intentionally violates the privacy of a crime victim.

After reading an article in the Washington Post dated August 13, 2006, "Diocese Ordered by Judge to Identify Sexual Abuse Victms", only one thought comes to mind, What Has Happened to Our Country's Judges?

Why would a Judge order a violation of a promise to keep the identity of victims confidential? This is not the responsibility of a Judge. Is this a political ruling or in the interests of justice? Absolutely not -- it is a ruling that protects the Judge's political connections -- nothing more.

When Judges allow political pressures to influence judicial decisions, victims of crimes, their families and other victims continue to suffer in shame and silence. Enough is enough. If Judges had ruled in accordance with the laws guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, the clergy sex abuse crisis would have never continued, without corrective action.

Is this Kentucky Judge ready to accept the retaliations that will occur after the names of victims are released? I speak from personal experiences during the past 5 years. When one chooses to exercise free speech, press, opinion and/or petition the government with a grievance relating to violations of the law committed by employees of rich, powerful and politically-connected religious institutions, life changes drastically.

Crime victims cannot fight Goliath forever -- while Judges protect their political connections and while political interferences continue, children are placed at further risk.

Freedom of religion never allowed for sex abuse crimes and failures to report crimes to law enforcement by employees of religious institutions. However, it has happened and we now have thousands of sex offenders that will never be required to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

Are Judges and legislators ready to accept the responsibility for failing to strictly enforce the laws that protect children from danger and the U.S. Constitution?

If a Kentucky state judge believes that ordering the Kentucky Roman Catholic Diocese to release names of sex abuse victims is in the interests of justice -- think long and hard. Does this Judge realize that he will be throwing victims of crimes, who have petitioned the government with a grievance, to the political wolves in our society, without protections?

If criminal charges are warranted, the Judge should request a Grand Jury or District Attorney investigation. Judges do not have the authority to interfere with privacy rights of crime victims.

In my opinion, Judges have the duty to rule in the interests of justice and the protections of children -- not assisting religious institutions in minimizing damages by naming sex abuse victims who were promised confidentiality.

What Has Happened to Our Country's Judges?
Rate It | View Ratings

Debby Bodkin Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

As an amateur writer, mother, wife and legal secretary for the past 25 years, my passion for the courage of clergy sex abuse victims, their families and mandated reporters, who made a choice to protect children, before their own career security and (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder -- PLEASE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!

Is the Vatican A Safe Haven? Thank You President Bush!

Patterns of Political ENABLERS Are Set in Stone!

WE ARE OUT OF TIME---PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!

Clergy Sex Abuse Scandals & Modern Day Hate Crimes

False Claims Act -- Are You a Victim Too?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend