NEW YORK
The Conservative Voice
By Michael J. Gaynor
August 13, 2005 03:25 PM EST
Section 2489 of The Cathecism of the Catholic Church, pertaining to respect for the truth, states:
"Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not to be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it."
BUT, one IS bound to reveal the truth to someone who DOES have the right to know it.
For example, when a cleric has sexually abused a child, or had an illicit relationship with a subordinate or a parishioner, or an employee of a Church institution or agency has sexually abused a child or sexually harassed a co-employee, there ARE people who DO have a need and a right to know, particularly those in a "zone of danger" and prospective employers.
What the Church needs to do is to ascertain the truth in much the same way as a court does, without prejudgment and with respect for safeguardd, such as the right to confront an accuser, and then reveal it appropriately rather than to disregard it as long as possible and then quietly accept and/or force resignations and agree to cover up as fully as possibly.
Monsigneur Eugene Clark, 79, and suddenly suspected of an illicit relationship with his attactive and much younger secretary, a married woman and mother of a 14-year old daughter, issued the following statement through his attorney:
"It appears to me that events and circumstances have been portrayed in such a false and sensational manner that I will no longer be able to effectively serve the archdiocese."
"Consequently, I have submitted my resignation [as rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral]. I thank all the many people who continue to offer me their prayers and consoling messages."