Scandal in Philadelphia.In his analysis of the Philadelphia grand jury's report on clerical sexual abuse ("Abuse in Philadelphia," December 16, 2005), Mark Sargent states that "the most important fact about the report [is that] the grand jury could not produce a single indictment indictment (ĭndīt`mənt), in criminal law, formal written accusation naming specific persons and crimes. Persons suspected of crime may be rendered liable to trial by indictment, by presentment, or by information. for a crime." Perhaps from a legal standpoint this is true, but to the many faithful of the diocese who were shocked and appalled at the horrific exploitation of children by abusive priests, the most important fact revealed by the grand jury was that these crimes actually did occur in our diocese. We were equally upset by the deplorable de·plor·a·ble adj. 1. Worthy of severe condemnation or reproach: a deplorable act of violence. 2. leadership of our cardinals, who reassigned abusive priests to other parishes where they were then free to harm more children. There is great dissatisfaction among Catholics at Cardinal Justin Rigali's tepid tep·id adj. 1. Moderately warm; lukewarm. 2. Lacking in emotional warmth or enthusiasm; halfhearted: "the tepid conservatism of the fifties" Irving Howe. response to the report. Merely expressing sorrow for what has been done does not seem sufficient. Catholic teaching holds that when you have taken something from someone, in order to be forgiven you must make restitution In the context of Criminal Law, state programs under which an offender is required, as a condition of his or her sentence, to repay money or donate services to the victim or society; with respect to maritime law, the restoration of articles lost by jettison, done when the . The survivors of clergy abuse were robbed of their childhood, their innocence, and in many cases, their faith. What would seem to be required is a personal pilgrimage pilgrimage Journey to a shrine or other sacred place undertaken to gain divine aid, as an act of thanksgiving or penance, or to demonstrate devotion. Medieval Christian pilgrims stayed at hospices set up specifically for pilgrims, and on their return trip they wore on their by the cardinal to each of the survivors, to express sorrow and to offer whatever help is possible to right the wrong that has been done. Justice requires a much greater response by the leaders of the Philadelphia archdiocese arch·di·o·cese n. The district under an archbishop's jurisdiction. arch  di·oc than the
one that has been forthcoming.
WILLIAM COONEY Philadelphia, Pa. |
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