BishopAccountability.org
	Church Scandal Strikes Emotional Chord with All By Rick Green Desert Sun April 18, 2010 http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100418/COLUMNS18/4170357/1026/NEWS12 I found Maria, a lifelong Catholic, clinging to her faith in the secluded garden patio of St. Francis of Assisi Church in La Quinta. I went there Saturday morning in search of someone willing to discuss the sexual abuse scandal unfolding in the Vatican. I discovered, not far from the statue of St. Francis, a loving mom, wife and daughter. But above all else, Maria insisted, she's a devoted Catholic convinced that the revelations from Rome will pass. "It's like a bad dream that I know will end," she said. On a nearby wall was an oversized banner showing photos of two St. Francis priests. A headline trumpeted: "We love our priests." "I refuse," Maria continued, "to allow the media and its pursuit of this story to deter my faith." The Catholic Church is a prominent part of our valley, fueled by the large Latino population that stretches across the desert. Religion, in general, is an important topic for many of you, which is why we provide coverage during key religious holidays and devote space to the subject every Saturday in our Features section. It is also, by far, our most active — and often, most heated — digital conversation forum on mydesert.com. (Click the link at www.mydesert.com/religion to see for yourself.) Recognizing the magnitude of the most recent sex abuse scandal, we've published numerous stories on the issue since it erupted. It's also why reporter Nicole Brambila explored the situation with four local Catholics in a Page One story this morning. It's a fascinating examination of faith, forgiveness, resentment and religious beliefs. Like many of you, I've watched this story unfold and experienced numerous emotions of my own: disbelief, anger, confusion and self-reflection. It's important to note two things: I'm not Catholic. And while I consider myself a spiritual individual, my personal religious beliefs do not play a role in shaping The Desert Sun's news coverage.
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