The National Catholic Reporter has a disturbing story out of Kansas City about a priest there whose personal computer was filled with pornographic images of children. The priest was just arrested by local authorities. But the Kansas City-St.Joseph Diocese under Bishop Finn knew about this priest and his computer since December 2010. The Bishop did not alert the Review Board and he also did not alert the public or parish or school where the priest had worked. Bishop Finn instead thought it was better to dump this priest on a convent of nuns. I am sure those ladies were thrilled to have a pedophile inclined priest as their spiritual adviser. The whole thing is absolutely disgusting! Only AFTER the priest was arrested did Bishop Finn think it was good to do some damage control and listen to the concerns of parents and outraged parishioners.
This case, and the Pittsburgh case, highlight the massive gaping hole that exists in the current Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Who oversees the Bishops? Who ensures that they will do what is in the best interest of the Church and not in the best interest of a Bishop? Who ensures that the Review Boards have full access to ALL the cases?
In another story out of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, a priest is suspended for “boundary violations” with women. What is the problem? It looks like the Church is doing what it should be doing. Except when you read closer, questions arise. For instance, this particular priest’s first “violation” was so serious the then Archbishop sent him away for a long time for treatment. The second “violation” occurred and was serious enough that he lost his job in the Byzantine Catholic Church. Did these two incidences alert the current Archbishop and make him think “hmm, maybe we need to alert the public and ensure this priest does not harm any more people.” No. No, instead Archbishop Schwietz allowed a third woman to be victimized before the public heard any of the scenarios.
Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Anchorage. I am sure there are other dioceses. It is just that one has been informed yet.
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