The Catholic Church in San Diego was recently faced with many lawsuits for child sex abuse by priests and a massive subsequent coverup. They attempted to declare bankruptcy and force a cheaper settlement but there was a problem with the court because the Church concealed assets in the filing. The judge found the the concealment, many millions of dollars, was deliberate and the bankruptcy was thrown out.
They finally did settle and the Church is getting stuck with something like $200 Million of the cost, with the rest being borne by insurers. The bishop has now asked that priests, all priests, presumably including the ones who did not contribute to the crime, each contribute one month salary toward that lawsuit settlement payment and is reportedly now writing an episcopal missive asking that all parishoners contribute toward it as well.
It's not often that I'm left speechless, but...
This is one of the reasons my wife and I left the Catholic Chruch of our childhood.
ReplyDeleteBill Donahue is another reason.
At the end of the day, it is probably more accurate (and quite sad) to say that our church left us, rather than the other way around.
I tend to agree that the church has left the people, rather than the reverse. There are many points of light (to coin a phrase) within the Catholic church, but it is so resistant to change and transparency, people find it easier to change themselves - ie, move on and out.
ReplyDelete