Philly magazine takes on two archbishops over sex abuse

by Thomas C. Fox on Jul. 06, 2011

The Philadelphia Magazine in its July 5, 2011 issue paints a portrait of the Philiadelphia archdiocese in the wake of the latest grand jury findings. It's not pleasant. The article offers particularly unflattering portraits of two Philadelphia archbishops, Anthony Bevilacqua and Justin Rigali. Both men are seen as giving total fealty to the church hierarchy, the former out of arrogance, the later out of fear, while forsaking the people of their archdiocese, most fundatmentally those abused by local clergy.

This devestating portrait of 7,630-words has its critics, of course, including a spokesperson for the archdiocese who calls the piece "entirely one-sided" and ignoring "fundamental and far-reaching changes Archdiocesan leaders have implemented and continue to implement in light of the 2005 and 2011 grand jury reports."

For those who want to read the 2003 grand jury report it can be found here.

For those who want to read the 2011 grand jury report it can be found here.

A powerful, well-done story

Submitted by G Bullough (not verified) on Jul. 06, 2011.

A powerful, well-done story that is right on the mark.

The Archdiocese's paroxysm of outrage and denial only underscores how right the authors got it.

The referenced article is an

Submitted by Aileen USA (not verified) on Jul. 06, 2011.

The referenced article is an excellent analysis of this sordid ecclesial mess,   and clearly shows why change will not come from the top.     What has become strikingly apparent is that the RCC at the highest levels operates much like organized crime syndicates with its allegiances,   secrecy and self-protection methods — even the most egregious crimes and betrayal perpetrated by clergy upon laity are considered   "nothing personal,   just business"   ...and any lie or method of obfuscation is acceptable,   even considered meritorious,   to cover up abusive or criminal behavior among clergy.
.
The hierarchy of the RCC will continue to do what they are programmed to do,   but when a critical mass of Catholics — parish by parish — have finally had enough,   it may be what finally causes the Catholic Church in the U.S. to break away from Rome,   its bishops   and its politics.     The events of the past decade make that possibility more real than any of us would have previously thought.
.

The spokesman fails to

Submitted by VM (not verified) on Jul. 06, 2011.

The spokesman fails to realize that fundamental and far reaching changes should never have required grand jury reports.

If Australian bishops didn't

Submitted by L.Newington (not verified) on Jul. 06, 2011.

If Australian bishops didn't have the dutiful support of it's religious women, Catholic politicians and high profile spin doctors, they too could/would be having unpleasant portraits painted somewhere.
As it stands, it's only the faithful, if and when they get passed the deadlocks, they have to contend with.
Retirement seems to be the way to go.

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