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	Survival of Our Parish (effects of Sexual Abuse Cases) St. Catherine of Siena Parish January 17, 2011 http://www.saintcatherinesiena.org/parishindex.html This past Sunday, Trustees were chosen to represent our Parish, Dan Barr and Dick Burnett. Monday, Fr. Hynes, the Trustees and other concerned parishioners met to discuss the actions that must be taken to protect our Parish and our rights as citizens in light of the three to 6,000,000 judgment against St. Elizabeth parish and schools. They will briefly speak this weekend after all Masses on the potential negative effects of SB 29, basis of the suit. You will be informed of the specific actions that we will be taking and we are seeking parishioners assistance and input in this endeavor. A handout with details of this matter will be given after all Masses. A more informative talk will be given after all Masses next weekend (1/22 & 1/23). A petition to alter the law will be available to sign, along with other means of action for you to choose. Thank you for your anticipated support. You are probably aware from the newspaper of the recent trial in which St. Elizabeth's parish was found responsible for sexual abuse by a priest against a student in 1968-70. The penalty leveled was $3,000,000. It appears the parish will have to pay this, and probably further similar penalties by selling its property, i.e., the school and possibly the Church. This is of course being appealed. What are we to think? Similar suits, by the very same mechanism, have been filed against at least 6 other parishes, including St. Catherine’s. Here are my thoughts and convictions. ? The negligence in assigning abusive priests belongs to the diocesan authorities, not the parishes. ? If parishes are to be held accountable by courts, it must be shown, by evidence, that the parish authorities, i.e., the pastor, knowingly covered up or allowed such abuse to take place. ? Since over 40 years have passed since the above events occurred, the key witness, i.e., the pastor, is dead, and contradictory “memories” were cited. This very fact shows the hazard of revoking statues of limitations; can there be a fair trial after so much time has passed? ? In some states, non-profit organizations are protected from being wiped out by suits. In others, caps are set on damages. In addition, it made no provision for arbitration before trials (most damage suits are settled this way). ? Public institutions, including schools are exempted from these suits. Why the public and not the private schools? ? For all these reasons, I consider the law flawed and unconstitutional. Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests deserve legal redress and the monetary recompense to meet expenses of therapy and lost work. But the Catholic people, who are the Church, did not condone or even know of these crimes. Only certain authorities did. Penalties should come from diocesan funds. Penalizing their parish or school out of existence is a miscarriage of justice. Two wrongs do not make a right. In all candor, I think you need to know these things in order to make sense of what is happening.
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