BishopAccountability.org
	To Archbishop Burke, Women Priests a Greater Crime Than Men Who Are Criminals By Barbara Dorris Voice from the Desert March 18, 2008 http://reform-network.net/?p=1510 Letter to the editor, St. Louis Post Dispatch Archbishop Raymond Burke moved quickly to excommunicate two local women who declared themselves to be ordained Catholic priests. ("Women ordained as priests are declared excommunicated," 3/14). They weren't criminally charged or civilly sued or deemed guilty of any crimes, nor did they admit to any. Yet over the past 20 years, we can't recall a single other priest here who was ever excommunicated, even those clearly and repeated charged, accused, sued or deemed guilty of heinous crimes. Not one priest who pled guilty to child sex crimes here (James Beine, Felix Bland and James A. Funke), was convicted here of child sex crimes (Bryan Kuchar, Thomas Graham and Gary Wolken), or was convicted elsewhere of sex crimes (Fred Lenczycki, Gregory Sutton, and Romano Ferraro). Not one priest who was found guilty in a civil trial (James Gummersbach) or who admitted child sexual abuse to church authorities (Robert F. Johnston, Joseph P. Lessard). Not one priest who has pled guilty to child porn charges (Gerhardt B. Lehmkuhl, John P. Hess) or has been defrocked because of multiple, credible child sex abuse allegations (Robert Yim, Donald J. "Duck" Straub, Leroy Valentine). Not one priest against whom several child sex abuse lawsuits have been settled (Norman Christian, Michael S. McGrath) or are pending (Henry Kohnen, Louis Kertz and William Poepperling). Not one priest who was arrested for other sex crimes (Joseph D. Ross, for indecent exposure), admitted other sexual misbehavior (Michael A. Campbell, who "inappropriately touched" a 17 year old) or is accused of other sexual misbehavior (John J. Woulfe and Wiliam A. Christensen who allegedly viewed porn with a child). But these two women, who called themselves priests, have been swiftly excommunicated. In Archbishop Burke's eyes, apparently, women acting like priests is a greater crime than men acting like criminals. Barbara Dorris Outreach Coordinator, SNAP Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests 6245 Westminster St. Louis MO 63130 314 862 7688
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