BishopAccountability.org
	Bella Figura Fine Appearance or Good Impression National Survivor Advocates Coalition February 21, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/editorials/ Each time a hierarch such as Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia says to survivors of clergy abuse, with seeming remorse, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you."… Each time a hierarch says he will work with the district attorney's office, but yet in the background fights with all of his power (and parishioner's donations) to stop the progress of freeing up statute of limitations… Each time government officials or police have deferred to the church officials for fear of placing themselves on the wrong side of this almighty power… Each time a hierarch says he knows with certainty there are no more pedophile priests in his diocese… Each time a diocese plays the bankruptcy/penniless card… Each time one more survivor comes forward to speak the truth and has been bullied or lied to by the hierarch in an attempt to be silenced, or in despair commits suicide… Each time one more country discovers the despicable truth of what is and has truly gone on behind the scenes of their church for generations… Each time a committed parishioner who believes the clergy abuse horror has been sufficiently dealt with is blindsided by the fact the pastor is an abuser, and that the bishop or his appointed staff has known but has continued to keep the priest in service… Each time…each time…there is a resounding within me as a constant tolling of a bell with words, "Bella figura, Bella figura." For this is what it all is; a façade that appears to be beautiful and holy, rather like a stage setting. And just as the appearance to the audience can seem real, it is behind the scenes that truly reveals the inner workings, but is to never be shown publicly. Unfortunately, it is behind the scenes where devious actions have taken place within the Church. In speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said, "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful to look at on the outside but inside full of filth ad dead men's bones. Thus you present to view a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within." Does this ring true today? Now is the time to tear down these walls of illusion, built upon lies, deceit, and the pain of thousands of children and families. Truth, and the demand for justice for all who have suffered at the hands of this self-imposed leadership must become a groundswell of change…change that resounds with Christ's words of, "Let the children come to me." If you are a reader of NSAC News and would like to become more involved in this movement, there's two things you can do immediately. Write a letter to your newspaper about the Philadelphia Grand Jury, asking if your district attorney will convene a grand jury. Write a letter to the editor asking why your bishop hasn't released all the names of credibly accused priests in your diocese. There are 37 that we know of at the end of two grand jury reports. There's plenty more to do! To be part of it, send an email to Kris Ward kristineward@hotmail.com, or me at ginnyhoehne@yahoo.com… to
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