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	Removal of Priest Elicits Cautious Comments By Dave Woods The Joplin Globe [Missouri] March 5, 2006 http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=232184&c=87 There was a time in the not-so-distant-past when an allegation of sexual misconduct against a member of the clergy was shocking. We, as a nation, were shocked at the notorious videotape of famed evangelist Jimmy Swaggert leaving a no-tell-motel after an encounter with a paid companion. We were shocked when TV preacher Jim Baker admitted that he had broken his marriage vow to wife and PTL partner, Tammy Faye Baker, with Jessica Hann, a member of his flock. And, we were shocked the first dozen or so times we heard news of Catholic priests accused of sexually abusing young members of the church. So, this week, when it was learned a priest named Stephen Schneider had been removed from St. Peter the Apostle parish in Joplin due to an allegation of past sexual misconduct with a minor, I expected a wave of shock and disbelief to drive comments online at www.joplinglobe.com. I was wrong. Instead, it seemed, online viewers took an uncharacteristically cautious approach to what they had to say. Joplin priest relieved of duties (17 comments) "Please pay attention to everything the article said. It said the 'alleged' infraction took place several years ago, and was just now brought to the attention of the diocese. It also said the prosecuting attorney did not find enough to prosecute on, possibly meaning that the incident was an infraction of church policy, but not illegal. Please don't condemn someone without knowing all the facts. Too much assumption could ruin lives." shaw-b@mssu.edu "Please remember not to paint everyone with the same brush. Yes there have been verified accusations of abuse by Catholic priests but as this story said this violated church policy and the Greene County prosecutor found "it did not meet the criteria" for prosecution. Only those involved know what the allegations were and in this country everyone is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. I personally will be praying for everyone involved and their welfare in the future." amairicanpie@hotmail.com In his written statement released to the press, Bishop John Leibrecht was vague about the actual circumstances surrounding the priest's removal. A member of the parish council, quoted in the story, made a point of saying she would be praying for the priest. "I find it very odd that the church is going to pray for the priest with no mention of praying for the victim. I also would question why it would not be criminal for the priest but criminal for the rest of society." sgilpin@sbcglobal.net One viewer, who had a personal relationship with the priest, seemed resigned that the allegation could be true, but made it clear that he would pray for both Schneider and his alleged victim. "I happen to know this priest and found him to be very spiritual and uplifting. I hated to hear that this either did or could have happened to this child and that he was the one (who) did it. I will pray for both the victim and the priest because they both need prayers, not condemnation." KevinC These viewers asked questions that, I suspect, are on the minds of many faithful American Catholics faced with the shock and embarrassment of the ongoing sex-abuse scandal. "Why are priests so bad about this. Maybe they should do away with their vow of being celibate. Obviously this vow does not include kids. Maybe if they were allowed to have sexual relations with adults, they would stop raping children." troz71@yahoo.com This viewer asks some good questions and lets their unfettered skepticism show through. "Now for the questions. Why would a family or individual bring allegations, but want to remain anonymous? Also for no evidence of criminal action, how can this be against a sexual-conduct policy? If sexual misconduct took place, it certainly would be criminal. So this alleged act, sounds like a fabricated story by people upset at the Catholic Church, and this individual in particular. I realize the Catholic Church had a big black eye right now. Although I, not being Catholic, still believe the religion and its people serve God for the betterment of man." chris_mcd@sbcglobal.net This viewer makes it clear that priests are not the only sex abusers on the streets today and encouraged abuse victims to come forward and confront their abusers. There was one sentiment, however, that was shared by many of our viewers who commented on this story: Protect the children. "Sexual abusers come in all walks of life. Medical, dental, legal, etc. If you have been a victim of abuse please contact the authorities. They must be stopped. Children need to be protected and the abusers must be put away." csbrad@sbcglobal.net Ollie suggests the scandals that have shamed the Catholic Church in recent years will continue until some fundamental changes are made in the types of vows priests are required to take and the celibate lifestyle they are expected to live. "I'm sorry, but when the employment ad for priests says, 'Men who are interested in meaningful long-term relationships with adult women need not apply,' this kind of thing is to be expected." Ollie Online regular, Rawhead, always has an interesting and sometimes humorous take on the story du jour. "I find it amusing, perhaps in a sick sort of way, that there's even such a thing as a Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board." rawhead@gmail.com It does make you think. Sometimes viewers start to comment on a story, then take a sharp turn, and head down another path. Here's a case in point: "I'm an ex-Catholic. Call me fickle and I know I'm in the minority, but there was something about an organization that covers up and protects pedophiles that I found disturbing; however, record numbers show up on Sunday and give money. There's something about associating with God that makes people think you can do no wrong. Take George Bush, for example." ssaia@fastfreedom.net One good comment deserves another. "After reading this article, and before reading the comments, I thought 'Some how, some way, some idiot will find a way to say something bad about George Bush.' Sure enough, it happened. You people never let me down. Alleged sexual abuse=Bush is evil. Hurricane=Bush is evil. Someone made money selling the oil they own=Bush is evil. My cat died=Bush is evil. My detergent is a dime more per bottle=Bush's fault. You are as bad or worse as the right-wingers who thought that every bad thing was Clinton's fault. Get a clue." Ryan
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