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	More Punishment Needed for Abusive Priests By Carla Beckmann The Daily O'Collegian July 18, 2007 http://www.ocolly.com/read_story.php?a_id=32908 Los Angeles (CA)— Church is supposed to be a place of worship, a place to revere a higher power. Those with the church are typically trusted. But for some, the church was a place of torment. On July 16 the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Church paid for its lack of clergy oversight. The archdiocese reached an out-of-court settlement with about 508 abuse victims. Some of the cases go back decades. The victims will receive more than $1 million each, but damages are to be awarded "according to the severity and duration of the abuse." I have issues here. On one hand, reparations, damages, hush money — whatever you call it — won't bring back stolen innocence. These people will never have their lives back the way they were, and they have to live with what has been done to them. Because we don't have the technology to go back in time and right these wrongs, I propose that there should be a thorough investigation of each incident. Yes, there has been a previous inquiry into abuse claims throughout the Church. But, something tells me it wasn't thorough enough. Those responsible should be excommunicated and subject to punishment to the full extent of the law. They should be made to suffer as their victims have suffered. Think more along the lines of castration and torture. On the other hand, this settlement could provide those affected with some sense of justice or closure. If that is the case, I'm happy for them. Not having been through what they have, I don't know what their reactions will be. As you may have guessed, I don't like those who mess with children. In fact, I rather hate them. Children shouldn't be taken advantage of in any way. Nothing good comes from denying one has been sexually abused. The shame and stigma that accompanies being abused is not borne lightly. The victim may feel it's his or her fault, feel too scared to report it or be afraid that bad things will happen to his or her family if anyone else finds out. I have seen what being abused does to people. Every facet of one's life is colored, and it's hard to trust people. Nightmares and substance abuse may follow. Talking about it doesn't help because our society is one that values an "everything is peachy, we're just like everyone else" mentality, wherein those who don't conform to whatever stereotypical all-American family image are looked down upon. Cardinal Roger Mahoney, Archbishop of Los Angeles, made a statement after the hearing. He extended his apologies to the victims and said that "it should not have happened and should never happen again." I agree, Your Eminence. But it will happen again. And it will continue to occur until we throw out the idea that it mustn't be spoken of.
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