BishopAccountability.org
	Father Gerry Exposes Churches' Moral Mess By Stephen Jardine The Scotsman [Scotland] May 10, 2007 http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=725722007 NO doubt he will end his days on real-life Craggy Island. The Father Jack character having shuffled off into booze hell, Dougal and Father Ted can look forward to the company of a new dissolute churchman. Sitting on his stained armchair soaked in vodka, Father Gerry could be a hilarious new companion with his catchphrase "Hookers!" But not before he serves his sentence for contempt of court. In the Angelika Kluk case it feels like justice really has been done. The miserable inadequate who raped and killed her deserves every day of his 21 years behind bars and hopefully will only leave prison in a sealed box. But the priest who lied and crawled his way through giving evidence is also due his punishment - even if it is only probation for a year and 100 hours community service. Advert for scotsman.com's football briefing Could there be a worse advert for the messed up morality of the Catholic Church?. Alongside a drink problem, Nugent frequented prostitutes, sexually harassed parishioners, probably concocted a relationship with a murdered girl and then lied about details of that under oath. What a guy. Nugent also claims the late Cardinal Winning knew about his weakness for women and responded with compassion, promising: "This is just between you and I, Gerry." Given all Nugent's layers of alcohol-drenched lies and deceit, we cannot know the truth of that but given past history, it wouldn't be out of character for an organisation that traditionally prefers to put its own house in order. From the wicked old witch Sister Marie Docherty, who abused children in Aberdeen, through so many other cases down the years the response usually involves doing nothing except launching a comprehensive cover-up. But before the Catholic Church Press Office starts writing the purple ink letters accusing me of bias, let's be clear, other denominations are just as guilty of putting institutional preservation above everything else. A fortnight ago an English choirmaster was jailed after being charged with ten counts of indecent assault on boys aged nine to 14. He encouraged them to call him "Daddy". The church knew about the abuse years ago but didn't report it to the police. Then last week a former Church of England vicar was jailed for five and a half years for abusing boys in his care over a period of 30 years. The allegations first surfaced 25 years ago following complaints from a victim and the response was merely to move the abuser to another parish where his crimes continued. So a pattern emerges, with religious institutions which see themselves as being above the law aligning with the abusers and not the victims. That culture of abuse followed by cover-up has tarnished society, with any adult in a position of responsibility terrified of showing emotion or compassion to a child in case it is misconstrued. But religion has also paid a heavy price. Jokes about Catholic priests take up more than a million pages on the internet and yet every church is seeing congregations falling year on year. And no wonder. It is a sad reflection on our times but no parent in their right mind would send their children away on a church weekend camping trip without asking some very searching questions first. Lecturing on morality is all very well but those who live by the sword, die by the sword. At long, long last church leaders seem to be wakening up to the realisation that things need to change and self-preservation actually involves honesty and transparency. As well as booting Nugent out of the church, Archbishop Mario Conti has apologised twice for the hurt and scandal resulting from the priest's involvement in the Kluk case. But something more fundamental is required. Across all denominations, searching questions need to be asked about the archaic restrictions and pressure-cooker atmosphere which leads to dramatic transgression and the long-established culture of secrecy that puts internal policing above everything else. Only when the church is honest about past sin can it hope to have a part to play in the future. Smart Alex rings round for support THOSE coalition talks in full: Ring ring. Alex Salmond: "Hello, is that the Greens?" Robin Harper: "Yes, Alex, what can we do for you?" Alex Salmond: "I want to form a coalition and I need your support." Robin Harper: "Can I get a special rainbow coalition scarf knitted?" Alex Salmond: "Er, yes." Robin Harper: "Deal!" Ring ring. Alex Salmond: "Hello, is that the Lib Dems?" Nicol Stephen: "Yes, Alex, what can we do for you?" Alex Salmond: "I want to form a coalition and I need your support." Nicol Stephen: "Well, we have to stick to our principles." Alex Salmond: "Which are?" Nicol Stephen: "Not sure. "But as soon as Gordon Brown tells Menzies Campbell, I'll get back to you." Ring ring. Alex Salmond: "Hello, Jack . Fancy running the election again - double or quits?"
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