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Unfit to Lead
Deposition Provides Concrete Evidence
VOTF to Cardinal: "Step Down"
By Janet Hauter (South Barrington IL) jmwhauter@aol.com (847) 366-2761
Voice of the Faithful
August 19, 2008
http://www.votf.org/Press/pressrelease/081808.html
For Immediate Release
What
The recently revealed deposition by Cardinal Francis George is a clear
indictment of his pastoring skills and his inability to lead the people
of Chicago. His repeated failures in both the Bennett and McCormack cases
indicate a trend to disregard advice from outside clerical circles and
continue to follow precedents of deceit, cover-ups and secrecy (imbedded
in the clerical culture) in lieu of protecting innocent children from
irreparable harm.
- Voice of the Faithful, reviewing the concrete revelations in the deposition,
has no choice but to ask the Cardinal to step down. We call for his
resignation.
- We also call for a criminal investigation of the actions within the
Archdiocese revealed in this deposition. (325 IL. Comp. Stat. Ann.5/4
(West, WESTLAW through 2003 Reg. Sess.))
- We ask, “Where is the criminal justice system in light of demonstrated
criminal failings repeated across the country, diocese after diocese?
When will Catholic citizens demand morality and justice in our own Church?”
- We have seen bishops and other diocesan officials who aided cover-ups
and enabled abusers rewarded with greater responsibilities and titles
rather than being held accountable for their misdeeds. Does this system
of rewards for failure encourage additional cover-ups?
- Insincere apologies and large financial settlements are “street
theater” whether the apologies come from Cardinal George, his
brother bishops or the Pope himself. If no consequences accrue to those
engaged in committing, perpetuating, or hiding crimes from Catholic
congregations, the behavior continues.
- We believe that as Catholics we must exercise our baptismal rights
and responsibilities, which include calling for our bishops to be accountable
to the people they serve.
- With evidence of this latest transgression, and reports of the settlements
made in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and so many other dioceses, we
have no trust in promises made by the hierarchy who created this breach
of confidence. (We also note that Cardinal George was one of the authors
of the bishops’ Charter to Protect Young Children, which his deposition
indicates he then violated.)
- Words of regret and apology, and promises of “unequivocal condemnation,”
mean little if they are not supported by action.
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