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Cornwall Public Inquiry

Abusers In The Church

Commentary by Lorne Wiebe

Cornwall AM 1220

31 August 2007

Yesterday, I spoke about the "sanctity" of the Roman Catholic confessional and how those who confess crimes need not worry that the priest will go to authorities. I said that is wrong. The issue was raised this week at the Cornwall Public Inquiry. Another point raised is the church's practice of continuing to employ so-called clerical abusers with the belief that if convicted priests were fired and joined the regular workforce that no one would be looking after them. Interesting argument. So that means that the church either can not or will not look after people who are not employed by the church. I say fire the priest but counsel him. Scripture speaks very clearly about brethren who take a mighty fall. They are to be removed from service and authority in order to try to keep the organism clean. The fact testimony arose speaking of the high cost of ordaining a priest and how that factors into their decision of keeping them employed is simply incredible. At least I am learning some things during this Inquiry. 

Email the Editor Responses

Abusers In The Church

Lorne: I strongly believe that your "commentary" regarding the above, is "right on". Now if only the same understanding and "suggestions", such as "fired and counselled", would spread among the populous and be accepted as a partial solution by "The Powers That Be". However "The Powers" may argue that belief in your commentary could be perceived "by some" as an admission of guilt.

James P. Bateman
Waterloo

Inquiry Doing Its Job

I am concerned about how some in the local media have portrayed the inquiry concerning the sex abuse scandal in Cornwall. Criticisms about the inquiry costing too much, media reproach that the process is taking too long, and recent reports of one or two people lying has eschewed the issue! The inquiry will help separate truth from fiction, but the evidence does suggest there are pedophiles and that a small group of them were organized in their activities to harm the children of this community. Furthermore, there are real victims of abuse who deserve justice, and finally there are genuine concerns about how some local institutions and groups responded inadequately to the allegations. Thirty years ago we were not getting the information about the abuse allegations, and the same thing is happening today. This makes the victims of sexual abuse victims once again, and this makes victims who have not come forward about their abuse more apprehensive to ever do so in a climate of apathy, intolerance, and mistrust. Too many people depended on a Project Truth website that was nothing more than a witch trial of false accusations and slanderous claims, all because the public could not get relevant and meaningful information from the local press. It is too soon to dismiss the inquiry; there is still much testimony that needs to be brought fourth before the commission. We must wait for the final report and then draw our own conclusions. We must stop further victimizing of the victims, and instead we must find out the truth and work towards real solutions to make sure this never happens again. This is a vital step towards healing and community renewal and I look forward to the final report.

Jason Setnyk
Cornwall

 
The Diocese

Father Frank Morrissey