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Title: Letter to Pope Francis -- It is not a miracle that 575 of us in Milwaukee came forward
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Published: Sep 25, 2015
Author: Peter J. Isely
Post Date: 2015-09-25 10:51:14 by GrandIsland
Keywords: None
Views: 11281
Comments: 52
September 23, 2015 Pope Francis Apostolic Palace 00120 Vatican City Dear Pope Francis, I am one of 575 victims of childhood rape, sexual assault or abuse by clergy who have worked in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who have filed cases seeking restitution from the church in US Federal Bankruptcy Court. I am writing to you on our behalf and on behalf of our families. Every rape or sexual assault of a child is a double act of theft: first it steals the body and then it steals the voice. Seeking justice as adults through our courts for the crimes that were committed against us as children is an effort by us to restore both body and voice. That is why we were cheered when, early in your pontificate, you directly and explicitly affirmed the rightness and importance for victims to seek justice and restitution through the civil justice system. We filed our cases for restitution over four and a half years ago in US Bankruptcy Court because the new Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki publicly assured us that by doing so he would use the bankruptcy court to bring just “compensation, healing and resolution” to victims. The chief architect of the bankruptcy, however, was Listecki’s predecessor, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who repeatedly and directly spoke of his remorse for the crimes committed by Milwaukee clergy against children. Imagine our sense of betrayal, then, when we learned that Archbishop Dolan before leaving for his new post as Archbishop of New York had acted directly to contravene the spirit of the very principle of civil justice for victims that your words celebrate and affirm. In a letter obtained in federal court, Dolan wrote to Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of Congregation of the Clergy, for permission to transfer nearly $60 million dollars of assets into a new “Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust.” The archdiocese, of course, already had money set aside for the care of cemeteries. Why was Dolan seeking permission to make a new trust? Because the Wisconsin Supreme Court had just issued a unanimous ruling against the Milwaukee Archdiocese stating that there was sufficient evidence of its fraudulent concealment and transfer of clergy child sex offenders that the archdiocese could be brought to civil court by victims seeking restitution. Dolan, in the letter, clearly stated his intent in creating a new and unneeded trust.“By transferring these assets to the Trust, they [the monies]will be protected by any legal claim and liability.” Additionally, the newly created cemetery trust was intended for only eight cemeteries, most of which also have a mausoleum in or near or near the City of Milwaukee. All the many remaining Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese do not benefit from this trust. $60 million dollars is hardly required to serve the needs of only eight cemeteries. Dolan’s transfer of tens of millions of dollars to prevent victims from just compensation is an act of civil and, in all likelihood, criminal fraud under US law. Court documents also show that Dolan, after public denials to the contrary, devised and executed a secret policy of paying clerics who had abused children (a $20,000 dollar “signing bonus” added to their pension and other benefits) to leave the priesthood without the archdiocese notifying the unsuspecting communities in which they settled. The new church you are urging us to build together requires you to hold Cardinal Dolan accountable for the planning, direction and, to a very significant degree, the current outcome of the bankruptcy, which has resulted in: --The lowest settlements of any church bankruptcy in the United States by a factor of ten, with individual amounts to victims that do not even begin to address the severe and lasting harm done to them or provide anywhere near the resources required to begin a true recovery, with some clergy rape victims receiving as little as $2,000 dollars. --Only 26 percent of the total bankruptcy settlement money will be allocated to help victims. 74 percent of the costs will pay lawyers’ fees, including $19.5 million to church and bankruptcy lawyers, $4 million in legal expenses to defend Dolan’s trust, and $7 million to victim attorneys; in other words, over twice as much money will be pocketed by church and other lawyers then will be given to help survivors. --Most alarmingly, direct victim reports filed into court detail that at least 100 newly alleged clergy child sex offenders from the archdiocese have not been properly investigated or prosecuted, leaving countless children at risk in our church and community. You have said that “the courage” victims show “by speaking up, by telling the truth” has been “in the service of love” to “shed light on a terrible darkness in the life of the Church.” The church believes that God so ordered the universe that he placed at the center of creation the human heart and at the center of the human heart, the faculty of free consent. Love does not exist or enter the embodied soul without free consent. That is why the sexual violence by a priest against a child is a demonic parody of both creation and love, of the very miracle of creation through love. It is an endless mystery that the shame the priest sex offender should logically and naturally feel within his own soul while violating the body of the child is rarely if ever felt by him. Instead, the shame of this crime, this awful and crushing weight, is poured into the body of the victim – our bodies. This is why it is we, not the offender, who feels the weight of this criminal shame, and why it is so difficult for most of us to come forward and bring our violation to speech. Is it not a miracle that 575 of us in Milwaukee come forward, three generations of survivors, and together as brothers and sisters speak the unspeakable? Every time a survivor speaks, as you so rightly acknowledged, no matter how difficult to hear or unwanted the effect, it is an act of love for the church. Victims in Milwaukee can still receive justice with your intervention and help. The money fraudulently transferred by Dolan which should have been used to compensate victims can still be put to that very purpose. Your time here in New York City will give you an opportunity to continue your pledge to hold Cardinal Dolan and other bishops accountable for the ongoing crisis of clerical sexual abuse and honor 575 acts of love and truth. Sincerely, Peter J. Isely SNAP Midwest Director Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) Poster Comment: Bob... should I post that religion has made 575 more enemies? Or is your logic flawed?
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#1. To: BobCeleste (#0)
Bobby, I'm asking you a question. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Perhaps enemies of the Archdiocese and Dolan. The rapist pedophile priests and those who protected them, abused their positions of authority in their faith. "They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters,Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood."---Psalm 106:37-38
The way the Church handled these scandals, the amassing of wealth, the vast buildings, the historical organization of mass sin, is a good argument against organized Christian religion. The fact that they're all lies is a good argument against every other kind of organized religion.
The people (or religious figures that abused their positions by abusing children) are the ones that made enemies. We blame the perp for their actions, not spread blame around. The fact that the religious aninstrators didn't deal with these perps the right way is a totally different problem, and we blame the admin entirely, not spread blame to the whole organization. Religion in general couldn't have prevented sexual predator priests anymore than law enforcement in general can prevent corrupt cops. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
The RCC marches on to the beat of the music written by Satan.
Psalm 37
Then Satan gained 575 more enemies. I can agree with that.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Do you think they are speaking against the RCC, therefore they are Satanists?
Psalm 37
You aren't even on the same planet as me when it comes to this article and the reason I posted it. I don't have the time or patience to bring you up to speed.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Or is your logic flawed? By "religion," what exactly do you mean? "Religion" as defined by Merriam-Webster: And by the way -- to what "logic" of Bob's do you refer? With your two questions you've created countless riddles and answers.
You're going to have to find the time AND patience, or else it's going to appear as though you're avoiding an admission you've fallen into a patch of philosophical/ideological quicksand and can't extricate yourself. You're going to have to clarify yourself -- both to Don and Bob....as well as the rest of us.
Yup, its certainly and obviously does indeed. WITHOUT QUESTION! NO Gospel. NO outrage and chastisement over the genocide of Christians in the Middle East and Africa by MUSLIMS. NO spirituality and Christ-like inspiration; Only a political rant by a Marxist revolutionary ideologue masquerading as one who leads "Christ's Church." With the latest update from this Pope, THIS Vatican, and THIS Roman Catholic hierarchy, I don't think there's any further doubt as to who and what the Vatican really represents: The anti-Christ. The Vatican represents a litany of exactly what's wrong with this world, hiding behind and usurping the authority of the King of Kings. Transparent though Pope Francis' and Vatican evil facade and charade are paper mache words and action; THIS Pope and the Vatican hierarchy simultaneously worship and corrupt...THIS world. And IGNORE the Gospel. In doing so he is damning millions of souls. Where was Pope Beelzebub's outrage over abortion and the butchering of body parts? His outrage and promises to end century's-long institutional RCC rape of little boys, pedophilia, and homosexuality? His outrage over the theft of earned wealth and personal freedom and sovereignty? Outrage over Islam's butchering of Christians in the Middle East as well as Africa? Can well-meaning, faithful Roman Catholics possibly explain why this so-called "Vicar of Christ" isn't making a priority of spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And on such big stages as both Washington DC and the UN? He continues to make a mockery of the blood of Jesus, the Gospel, and the Law. Whilst this Papal Marxist-Satanist kindred spirit of 0buma demanded social change, (PC pandered and mentioned "Selma"), climate change, the redistribution of earned wealth, and endorsed the institutional theft of economic and personal sovereignty, the hypocritical Vatican itself hordes BILLIONS in hidden, shielded wealth, assets, and investments. That wealth accrued by "selling Heaven." It was and still is the biggest sham and con-game ever on the planet. How can RCs continue to respect and be involved in such an institutional scam that has used the blood of Jesus Christ to enrich the Vatican? The Vatican sure doesn't mind openly displaying its wealth either; OR its bank, its own currency, its local armed guards. Pope Francis refuses to call evil "evil," he and the Vatican worship power-for power's sake; he and other Popes have sanctified and KISSED the Koran and its Death Cult of Islam. And still, there are millions of RCs, flocking to, abiding in, and believing these Popes, THIS Vatican, its RCC is...of Jesus Christ. When will the Vatican bear its deep dark secrets of the Vatican catacombs, vaults, and bowels? When will it ask forgiveness for its evil past and present? When will it cease from enabling the continued sins of its flock of RCs, cease in its socio-political divisiveness? Answer: NEVER. Rome is the Woman who rides the Best in Revelation. The Vatican is the earthly seat of Hades, its throne the devil's own throne. It's past time that well-meaning Catholics finally reject its false/NON-Gospel and reject this proxy of the Father of Lies, Satan, and return to Jesus' REAL church.
which goes by what name, specifically? If a Catholic were to walk out of membership of the Roman Catholic Church, into which specific Church organization should he walk? Not in an abstract sense, but a concrete sense: what is the street address and name on the buidling to which the ex-Catholic should physically go?
which goes by what name, specifically? What did Jesus call His Church? What did He command of them? To spread the Good News, right? Is Pope Francis doing that? Is he being a Peacemaker OR Divider? What is his priority? Is the Pope calling Evil "good," and good, "evil"? I assume we BOTH know Jesus' "Church" isn't one that subscribes to one that worships the STATE over His Father; Engages in coercive wealth retribution, promotes, defends, and reinforces the Gospel. THAT "Church." If a Catholic were to walk out of membership of the Roman Catholic Church, into which specific Church organization should he walk? One that makes the practice and spreading of the Gospel a priority. Do you agree? Not in an abstract sense, but a concrete sense: what is the street address and name on the buidling to which the ex-Catholic should physically go? I don't know your area or neighborhood, but if I were you, and the message of the Gospel and fellowship with the like-minded were paramount to you, I'd sit in on some services and "audition" it based on the spirit, message, and vibe...and ask yourself -- "Would Jesus sit in this Church and approve of its message?" I'm sorry you've taken my harsh criticism of this Pope and Vatican to heart, but please don't take it personally. It's been exposed as anything BUT "Christ-like." Pope Francis as well as the Vatican have little in common with the Truth, Jesus Christ or His Gospel.
Some people can handle the truth and some can't, the ones that can't lash out at others instead of looking within...
I have read carefully. My question is very straightforward. It is true that I don't live in your neightborhood (I assume you don't live in Connecticut). If I did live in your neighborhood, what is the name of the Church I should attend?
I'm on my way out the door to go to a farmers market with the wife. I'll post later. The long and short of it is this.... Bob likes to blame all of LE for the deeds of each corrupt act by staring, "and the police make 3 more enemies" instead of putting blame on the individual corrupt officers. So in return, as it relates to this article, is all religion to blame for what some priests have done? Did "religion" make 575 more enemies? I think not... but in bobs quest to hate LE in general, he's unable to think rationally. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Bobby, I'm asking you a question. What is your question Grandie?
Yep. And within sometimes is the Great Lie that corrodes their Golden Calf....yet they keep on polishing it, perpetuating their grand delusion.
I've never known you to be obtuse. It is true that I don't live in your neightborhood (I assume you don't live in Connecticut). If I did live in your neighborhood, what is the name of the Church I should attend? Is a specific brand "name" of a church more important than one which is true to the Gospel and Word of God, and a church philosophy of which is Christ-centered for which the Father would approve? I've made my recommendation for a church and why. It's not for me to choose for *you* a church. However I appreciate your respect of my endorsement, judgment and guidance on the matter. On such a matter of great importance -- and as a man who I've found to be a devout seeker and respecter of God's word -- may I suggest interviewing your area's church leaders and/or and sitting in on some Sunday services? It's really the only way most of us find a church we're comfortable with. And even at that -- sometimes THAT situation changes when church leaders go a bit rogue, which these days happens more often than it used to.
I can only speak for myself -- don't like to broadbrush and mix LE business with God's business. It's unfair to everyone. So in return, as it relates to this article, is all religion to blame for what some priests have done? Did "religion" make 575 more enemies? Frankly, for some, LE *is* a "religion" too, that makes your statement all the more confusing.
Aaaaw, what a thoughtful hubby...Will she allow you to put down her pocketbook long enough to post a bit more in depth on your iPhone? ;-)
I am not asking for the way to choose a church. Nor do I seek a brand name. I am asking for the specific name of the Church, the place of worship that I should attend if I were your nextdoor neighbor, the place that YOU YOURSELF think is worthy to attend. The Church I attend is St. Luke's Catholic Church, on Turkey Hill Road in Westport, Connecticut. I suppose that the "brand name" is Catholic. The church is St. Luke's. That is the granularity I seek from you. Not generalities - specificity. Generalities are grand, but we life our lives in concrete heartbeats.
I think my point is quite clear and rational. Bobby hates LE, so he blames the profession for what the bad apples do. Just like an atheist might blame religion for what a few bad priest apples have done. Lib, enough with your spin... and speak towards the points I made. LE isn't a religion. Religion isn't LE... and even if it was, what's that got to do with Bobby or reality? Nobody asked you to broad brush... the point is that Bobby does... and danced the top of the fence to avoid what Bobby does by saying you don't like doing it. Speak straight up, leave out the yella... and if you can't do that because Bobby is your religious bud, then why get in the conversation? If you've noticed... Bobby is still playing stupid. Still asking what the question is. Bobby makes 3 more enemies. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
I myself, from reading the Bible carefully, thoroughly, fully, exploring the language, find no requirement of God or of Jesus to attend a ritual meeting on Sunday anywhere. It is well to go meet people to pray, but it is in no way a requirement. Nor is there any specified day at all, for Christians. There is a day that Christians traditionally did it, Traditions are not laws of God, and it is sin to claim that any tradition IS a law of God: it is adding to God's word. "Church" is an english word. The Greek word is "ekklesia", and it literally means "those called out [of a group]. The ekklesia - the church - are the people called out from the wider group of the world. It is not a building, it is not an organization, and it does not have to regularly meet to perform rituals, readings and have services. It is well if it does, as long as that is meaningful to those who choose to do it. If it's a source of backbiting and hair- checking and a burden, one should stop going rather than sin by going. It is by works that a man must make his way forward in God's service. That is what each one called out is to do. It is more effective to do it together, to strengthen each other - but there is no set prescribed means by which that is done, and any tradition that says that there is - and that it is mandatory - errs by saying so, and sins if they escalate the argument, speaking as though they had the authority of God, which they do not. (My own Catholic Church, brand name, is guilty of this on many things, and has been worse historically than it is now. But I listen to others as well, claiming Sunday - which is not the sabbath - and claiming the requirement of a set meeting, which is a tradition of men and not a law of God (and, when insisted upon under penalty of sin, is a sin in itself - men may not add to the laws of God, even for the good of other men). Concreteness is important. I know the theory. I know it well, from all sorts of sides. But God is looking for action, for works - and that is how he judges each Christian: on his works. Individually a man can do so much. To do greater things in God's service requires many hands, and that requires those called out to come together, to pray, to eat, to celebrate. For that reason, a church is a good thing to have. If one has found one that fits all of the bills, then one should not be shy about saying so. Specifically. Concreteness.
When you can retire as a government employee at the age 50 years of age, simply walking school kids across the street for twenty years while accumulating bonus points for a phootball game or two or while eating free doughnuts and slurping' koffee on duty dripin' your silly little badge of authority and the beer stained shirt you are given by the government and GOD only knows where else, it is religious phanaticism at its best.
The only part of your bullshit that was even remotely true, was "retiring at age 50". It was 49. The rest of it is untrue bullshit... and LE isn't a "religion". I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Where in the NT does it speak about not forsaking assembling yourself together?
Psalm 37
A twenty year career sitting around & walkin' little kids across the street isn't an accurate statement? OK, how about standin' around the water cooler to get your next job from a dispatcher because your colleague needs a replacement chair & umbrella because it was "hot" one day? OOPPSS! How about the tyme you went for dounuts & koffee @ the local doughnut shop operated by illegal aliens and you gave them a pass?
I think like Bobby, you've sat on too many apricot kernels. Seek help. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Perhaps you shall permit a wee little poster to learn a bit about your cryptographic code ring? Are you working with "yukon" now that gay marrigae is rampant in America? And you want little 'ol me to sit on an apricot kernel? What does that mean, since you exemplify "colour of law?" I mean you are one "apricot" of an asshole, siding with the concensus for a need about a police state mentality, so lets get your "apricot kernel" out on the table for discusion. What the FUCK are you talking about?
What the FUCK are you talking about? It's way above your head Bucky... and even if you had the ability to comprehend, your opinion is useless. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
So, mister retired, school crossing guard ... you can't explain your own rhetorical comments when challenged? You fucked-upped, as usual. - 1000
Bucky, who ever invited you to this conversation? Not I. You have nothing to offer except insults about crossing guards and donuts. You are a forum joke. The token forum tool. I need not "explain" nothing to you. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Your topic on this thread is about catholic priest's ... Are you aware of the sexual molestation that FUCKIN' COPS do everyday to little kids? You are an adherent to another religion, cop: it is the LE religion called "colour of law." Ask me to PROVE my post. I dare ya, doughnut eater.
That's good Bucky. 650,000 cops in this country and you found one case.... and like apricot kernel Bobby, this one case makes all cops perverts? lol The article is about 575 victims from PRIESTS. Not one sexual assault victim of a priest from yesterday's article... But FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE... and even I don't blame their profession. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Assembling yourselves together is good and proper. Where in the NT does God command that it be done each week, on Sunday? That Christians did it under normal conditions is well, but they also attended synagogue on Saturday. It is not the fact of assemblage, but the specificity of the demands that turns what is good and proper into a law that is not a law.
LE is a cult; you are a high priest in a religious cult under the colour of law.
I'm retired. I work around my yard, I golf... and I shoot guns A LOT at the range. Dumb dumb. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
The Bible states what I said. The early church decided on meeting on Sunday. The RCC and Protestant Denominations decided on when to meet. No Protestant Denominations has the meeting times as a law.
Psalm 37
What you said, was that the Bible didn't say something. So, the Bible doesn't state what you said it doesn't state. That would hold true for everything that the Bible doesn't state. What you mean is "the Bible agrees with what I think". That's probably true for everybody on earth to some extent. In the particular point that we were discussing, it means that, Biblically speaking, the Bible states what I said, and the Bible doesn't state what you say it doesn't state. Match null.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestIs it logical to claim religion made 575 more enemies
#2. To: GrandIsland (#0)
should I post that religion has made 575 more enemies? Or is your logic flawed?
#3. To: redleghunter (#2)
#4. To: Vicomte13 (#3)
#5. To: GrandIsland (#0)
#6. To: Don (#5)
#7. To: GrandIsland (#6)
#8. To: Don (#7)
#9. To: GrandIsland, Bob Celeste (#0)
Bob... should I post that religion has made 575 more enemies?
Full Definition of RELIGION
#10. To: GrandIsland, Don (#8)
You aren't even on the same planet as me when it comes to this article and the reason I posted it. I don't have the time or patience to bring you up to speed.
#11. To: Don, LF (#5)
(Edited)
The RCC marches on to the beat of the music written by Satan.
#12. To: Liberator (#11)
return to Jesus' REAL church.
#13. To: Vicomte13 (#12)
(Edited)
(Return to Jesus' REAL church.)
#14. To: Liberator (#13)
#15. To: Liberator (#13)
I'm sorry you've taken my harsh criticism of this Pope and Vatican to heart, but please don't take it personally.
#16. To: Liberator (#10)
(Edited)
#17. To: GrandIsland (#1)
Is it logical to claim religion made 575 more enemies
#18. To: CZ82 (#14)
Some people can handle the truth and some can't, the ones that can't lash out at others instead of looking within...
#19. To: Vicomte13 (#15)
I have read carefully.
#20. To: GrandIsland, Bob Celeste (#16)
The long and short of it is this.... Bob likes to blame all of LE for the deeds of each corrupt act by staring, "and the police make 3 more enemies" instead of putting blame on the individual corrupt officers.
#21. To: GrandIsland (#16)
I'm on my way out the door to go to a farmers market with the wife. I'll post later.
#22. To: Liberator (#19)
#23. To: Liberator (#20)
#24. To: Liberator (#19)
#25. To: GrandIsland (#23)
(Edited)
LE isn't a religion.
#26. To: buckeroo (#25)
When you can retire as a government employee at the age 50 years of age, simply walking school kids across the street for twenty years while accumulating bonus points for a phootball game or two or while eating free doughnuts and slurping' koffee on duty dripin' your silly little badge of authority and the beer stained shirt you are given by the government and GOD only knows where else, it is religious phanaticism at its best.
#27. To: Vicomte13 (#24)
#28. To: GrandIsland (#26)
#29. To: buckeroo (#28)
#30. To: GrandIsland (#29)
you've sat on too many apricot kernels.
#31. To: buckeroo (#30)
#32. To: GrandIsland (#31)
It's way above your head
#33. To: buckeroo (#32)
#34. To: GrandIsland (#33)
#35. To: GrandIsland, All (#34)
(Edited)
#36. To: buckeroo (#35)
#37. To: Don (#27)
#38. To: GrandIsland (#36)
LE isn't a religion.
#39. To: buckeroo (#38)
LE is a cult; you are s high priest in a religious cult.
#40. To: Vicomte13 (#37)
#41. To: Don (#40)
The Bible states what I said.
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