While the Pope is in Ireland apologizing for years of clerical sexual abuse, bishops are still trying to cover it up.
Although a Pennsylvania' grand jury determined that hundreds of Roman Catholic priests abused over a thousand children and went on to describe the church's "behavior as a playbook for concealing the truth," the state bishops' conference lobbied the Pennsylvania legislature to prevent legislation which would have extended the statute of limitations for child abuse.
Prior to that, several bishops went to court in an attempt to prevent the grand jury from from releasing the report on clerical sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
Church leaders still mount court battles to prevent or reduce payments to victims.
Within the last week, a retired Mexican Cardinal threatened abuse victims and indicated they should be "ashamed." *
One would think that in 2018 the Catholic Church would have reached the point of holding abusers accountable, and helping the survivors achieve the justice they deserve.
The victims do not need any more apologies; they need justice.They need their church to take action. The first and most minimal action is to stop covering up the abuse. the second and more important action is to assist the victims in their pursuit of justice.
When a mass shooting occurs, the White House, the GOP legislators, and the IRA send their "thoughts and prayers," but refuse to take any useful action to keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable individuals. The Catholic Church, unfortunately, seems to be taking the same course in reference to clerical sexual abuse. In addition to "thoughts and prayers," the bishops may set up a "commision" to study the problem.
Thoughts, prayers, apologies, and commissions are inadequate evasions. It's time to do the right thing, prosecute the abusers, eliminate the enablers, and seek justice and offer support for the victims.
* cf. article in Crux by Ines San Martin, August 21, 2018
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