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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > People and Politics > Time for Bill Donohue and Catholic Church to stop smearing victims --Also attacking journalists Maureen Dowd and Chris Matthews

People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Time for Bill Donohue and Catholic Church to stop smearing victims --Also attacking journalists Maureen Dowd and Chris Matthews

Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10:48 PM

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seanomelbourne | Oct 01, 2011, 07:16 PM EDT

I suppose Donohue would praise the fascist franco. Donohue is probably a member of the fascist opus dei which is now running the RCC.Donahue like his opus dei colleagues are anti christs.

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JuneAnnette | Sep 30, 2011, 01:41 PM EDT

McNamara31 . . A worthwhile read ***GOOGLE: Injury Board Blog Network 'Catholic League President Bill Donohue Dishes Out Big Bucks for NY Times Ad' / Posted by David Mittleman, Attorney / April 11, 2011 4:41 PM***SCROLL DOWN and read the comment Posted by peter centorcelli / April 12, 2011 11:30 AM**Note sent to Catholic League**EXCERPT: "Was it just happy coincidence that the home page of your site had a "More hypocrisy" link alongside your defense of child rape by priests? It seems that since 3/4 of the victims were post-pubescent that this lessens the magnitude of the horrific act. That somehow forcing sexual contact on a 13 year old is so much less heinous than if the victim was only 11. And let’s have a cheer that the poor 13 year old was most likely a boy because that makes it so minor to hardly be worth mentioning.You laud the fact that only 8.3 reported cases per year for a recent 5 year period. So since only 43 children (‘cause pre or post puberty, they are still children) were reported molested by priests, that is an accomplishment in which to be proud. And you count all 40,000 priests to show how small that number really is. Well, Mr. Donohue, how many of those priests are realistically working in an environment where they have ease of contact with children? Half of them? Less? Who knows because you couldn’t be bothered to put that number together because it makes your case that much weaker."***As I wrote below, Donahue has the endorsement of Edward Cardinal Egan, Roger Cardinal Mahony, Most Rev. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.***A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS!

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McNamara31 | Sep 30, 2011, 12:12 PM EDT

The Nassau County AOH just "honored" William Donohue of the Catholic League at Molloy College a week ago. Very sad.

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SingleDonald | Sep 27, 2011, 09:09 PM EDT

falconflash, I did not consider your criticism to be directed against me. eiriamach & christopherMATT, I can't accept your views against statute of limitations. I empathize with cM, concerning the abuse which he experienced as a child. However, there are too many ambiguities, after decades have elapsed. I don't mean to trivialize what cM experienced, but, generally speaking: Did these things really occur as the now adult thinks they did? Might the now sdult be overblowing an isolated incident, out of proportion? Who can back up the accuser's claims? Who can disprove the claims: did the alleged abuser have any witnesses, who can put him in a more favorable light? And yes, might the now adult merely be on a "gold digging" venture? If the alleged abuser has no current or recent claims of molestation against him, why should an old allegation, which he would have difficulty disproving, sully his present reputation? On a slightly related(though not pedophillic note) consider this. Prior to 1968, New York's Statutary Rape Law had the boy always guilty of the crime, even if consensually entered into with a same, or near age girl, who was under 18. The new law allows a 4-year "window" where, say, a 20 year old would not be charged in sleeping with a 16 year old. At 21, he/she would be guilty of statutory rape. Seventeen is the age of consent, and the law now applies to both males & females. Should a girl who was under 18, in 1967, now have the right to sue a same, or near age boy, for consensual sex, all these years later?? Of course not!!

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JuneAnnette | Sep 27, 2011, 12:40 PM EDT

falconflash, CONTINUED . . the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 /"If all of these things were true!The problem is that there is no authentic historical evidence that any of it is true. The various titles, roles and offices attributed to popes, bishops and priests are not products of divine revelation but of human invention, often as a response and reaction to serious external threats to the power and wealth of the clerical aristocracy. For example, and it’s a good example, Papal Infallibility was literally invented by Pope Pius IX and forced through the First Vatican Council...for political reasons. The pope’s kingdom, the Papal States, was threatened with dissolution by the Italian social upheaval at the time. Likewise the title “Vicar of Christ” was part of a conscious program of a medieval pope to fortify papal power. This title has had a long and complex and by no means consistent history. It was not applied to the Papacy until the 13th century when Pope Innocent III took it to enhance his overall program of actively concentrating just about all power in the Church in the papacy."

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JuneAnnette | Sep 27, 2011, 12:39 PM EDT

falconflash, CONTINUED . . the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 /"This teaching is the foundation for the clerical culture that runs the Church. Clericalism is the belief that clerics (deacons, priests and bishops) are superior to lay persons and are rightfully entitled to deference, unquestioned respect and exemption from many of the obligations born by most lay people. This clerical world is the home of the men who make up the Church power structure. The Church teaches that this structure is the church. To be a Catholic, one must believe totally in the teachings about the nature of the church strictures and the sacredness of the Church’s clerical ministers.If all of these teachings were true, would there be a need for all of the secrecy? If these teachings were true, especially about the “Christ-like” nature of priests and bishops, would there be such widespread corruption, dishonesty and abuse found among clerics at every level?"

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JuneAnnette | Sep 27, 2011, 12:37 PM EDT

falconflash, I would strongly urge you to prayerfully reflect upon the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 / "The Church is a visible institution. The Church teaches as official dogma that the Church as we know it, that is, a hierarchical structure that is totally run by celibate male clerics (mostly bishops), was instituted by Jesus Himself. The Church teaches that the pope is the representative (Vicar) of Christ on earth. It teaches that Christ founded His church and left it in the control of the twelve apostles and explicitly willed that these apostles pass this power down to their successors. Consequently the official teaching is that the visible church is run by men who have been explicitly chosen by the Supreme Being. Furthermore the Church teaches that priests are fundamentally different than other humans. They are, in the words of John Paul II, uniquely configured to Christ. Catholics are taught to believe that priests are special. They represent Jesus Christ. They have very special spiritual powers. Their intercession is essential for anyone who wishes to make it to heaven in the next life.

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JuneAnnette | Sep 27, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT

falconflash . . I would strongly urge you to prayerfully reflect upon the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 / Link: http://www.richardsipe.com/Doyle/2010/2010-07-25.htm***"The Church is a visible institution. The Church teaches as official dogma that the Church as we know it, that is, a hierarchical structure that is totally run by celibate male clerics (mostly bishops), was instituted by Jesus Himself. The Church teaches that the pope is the representative (Vicar) of Christ on earth. It teaches that Christ founded His church and left it in the control of the twelve apostles and explicitly willed that these apostles pass this power down to their successors. Consequently the official teaching is that the visible church is run by men who have been explicitly chosen by the Supreme Being. Furthermore the Church teaches that priests are fundamentally different than other humans. They are, in the words of John Paul II, uniquely configured to Christ. Catholics are taught to believe that priests are special. They represent Jesus Christ. They have very special spiritual powers. Their intercession is essential for anyone who wishes to make it to heaven in the next life.

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JuneAnnette | Sep 26, 2011, 11:56 PM EDT

It seems implausible to me that otherwise intelligent people are willing to ignore the abundant and compelling evidence regarding the abuse of children across the globe by the Roman Catholic “church” that unarguably and categorically proves the “church” of which they are members is not guided by the Holy Spirit, neither the “one true church” built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone and only head.(Eph. 2:20; Eph. 5:23) So blinded are they by their inbred institutional loyalty they find themselves unable to act rationally in the face of the painful realities with which they are now confronted which compels them to leave, but choose instead to remain tethered to a church that is utterly devoid of any moral or spiritual credibility. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”(Eph. 5:9) In place of goodness, there is gross immorality and unchecked vice . . all that is evil; in place of righteousness, there is widespread corruption; in place of truth, there is mental reservation . . deceit and lies. As it is written . . “spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) May the Lord be pleased to grant those who are so blinded, the courage to renounce the counterfeit religion of Rome, that they may by God’s grace, wholeheartedly embrace the religion of Christ and serve HIM in sincerity and in truth.*** “. . . Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4)

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christopherMATT | Sep 26, 2011, 10:21 PM EDT

I would like to weigh in on the statue of limitations question. I did not seek/get help until I was 55 years old. The abuse occurred occurred between 1968 - 1972. This is 40 years after the abuse. My brain SUPPRESSED a lot of this for many years. But when I found that perscription sleeping pills made you go to sleep and feel really really good, I thought maybe take 1 or 02 0r 10 more. This was a wakeup call. So........................ I am all for the removal of statue of limitation laws regarding child sexual abuse.

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christopherMATT | Sep 26, 2011, 10:10 PM EDT

One more comment to A/H . Don't hold back. You seem to harbor some hostility. Maybe you need to post what that hostility is all about ? I am new to this dialog.

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christopherMATT | Sep 26, 2011, 10:02 PM EDT

To A/H, I think your comments are totally over the top. I am a victim of childhood sexual abuse. You cannot judge the entire church, the vast majority of the clergy are 'priests of integrity'. You can rant and rave all you want. Are you a victim ? If so, I pray for your healing. If we have larned anything over the centuries, it is not to judge by the group, but by the individual. God bless.

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Rayosun | Sep 26, 2011, 04:51 PM EDT

When Mr. Roberts ends his critique by saying "It is time for the church,who are clearly approving of Donohue's attacks to rein him in. He is doing their cause no justice smearing victims and launching vicious attacks on journalists who are doing their job uncovering corruption and abuse in the Catholic Church." those who still imagine that this church is "tru and holy" wonder why it allows Dononue to represent it in the U.S. media. When are sincere Catholics going to recognize that the INSINCERITY of the R.C. church, which is NOT AT ALL what it claims to be, as I show in agonizing detail at http://JesusWouldBeFurious.Org/ ?

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JuneAnnette | Sep 26, 2011, 03:56 PM EDT

Ripley838, F.Y.I. . . the Catholic League is endorsed by these pillars of Roman Catholicism and so-called “princes of the church”:***"The Catholic League performs an invaluable service in defending the Faith. All too often, the Church and her faithful are misrepresented and even slandered in contemporary society. However, the Catholic League always stands ready, willing and able to challenge those who would malign us and our beliefs. Ever vigilant, the Catholic League does what other lay organizations hesitate to do —protect the religious and civil rights of Catholics according to the provisions of the United States Constitution. I am happy to assure the Catholic League of my support and esteem."/ Edward Cardinal Egan, former Archbishop of New York***"I encourage you to join the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights which defends not only the interests of Catholics, but of all victims of anti-religious bigotry." /Roger Cardinal Mahony, former Archbishop of Los Angeles***"The Catholic League has the courage to speak up candidly and forcefully for the Church when circumstances call for fighting the good fight. The League should be on every Catholic's short list of essential organizations to support." /Most Rev. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., former Archbishop of Denver***"I am privileged to support the Catholic League. The work of the Catholic League is invaluable and its accomplishments over the years are unparalleled." / Most Rev. Edwin O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore

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JuneAnnette | Sep 26, 2011, 03:43 PM EDT

ripley838 . . FACT CHECK . . The Catholic League has the endorsement of these "so-called princes of the church"***Source: catholicleague.org "The Catholic League performs an invaluable service in defending the Faith. All too often, the Church and her faithful are misrepresented and even slandered in contemporary society. However, the Catholic League always stands ready, willing and able to challenge those who would malign us and our beliefs. Ever vigilant, the Catholic League does what other lay organizations hesitate to do —protect the religious and civil rights of Catholics according to the provisions of the United States Constitution. I am happy to assure the Catholic League of my support and esteem."— Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York***"I encourage you to join the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights which defends not only the interests of Catholics, but of all victims of anti-religious bigotry."— Roger Cardinal Mahony, former Archbishop of Los Angeles***"The Catholic League has the courage to speak up candidly and forcefully for the Church when circumstances call for fighting the good fight. The League should be on every Catholic's short list of essential organizations to support."— Most Rev. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.,Archbishop of Denver

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