The email has been pinging again. It seems that the Diocese has announced that they have paid out $2.2 Million to “abuse victims” in the first 90 days of the Individual Survivor Compensation Program. (David Singleton. May 11, 2019. The Times-Tribune: Diocese of Scranton pays $2.2M to abuse victims in first 90 days of program)
How nice to let the mothers of the Diocese of Scranton know, on this their special weekend, that the Bishop/Diocese are paying pennies on the dollar for sex crimes committed against their children. I hope you are pleased that they see this as a good thing and not for what it is, a horror story.
I have heard from other survivors about the struggle to document the abuse, the stress of having to put the details of the sexual offenses committed against them by priests who used their position to perpetrate these crimes and the cover of the bishop’s office with all the minions in line to avoid scandal. Never mind that they all failed, including the incumbent, Joseph Bambera, to protect children. They failed to do the right thing. They failed to uphold the basic tenants of the religion in which they placed their faith and took vows to live their lives by the teachings of their savior.
I have not submitted a claim as of the date this post will be published. I am finding it challenging to sit and write out the details of the sexual violations committed against me by Robert Gibson. You may recall that Gibson is the infamous “Father Ned” returned to a parish by Joseph Bambera at the order of Bishop Timlin. I don’t see this ISCP as long-awaited justice. I still think this is just a way for the Diocese of Scranton to pay minimal compensation to a large number of survivors to make this go away. As if it will ever go away.
The parishioners of the Diocese of Scranton should be demanding answers to questions on where the money for the program comes from. Why is the Diocese spinning this as a successful program? It seems to be a successful coverup. Why are the parishioners still in pews, still tithing, still believing that the problem is not that big a deal? Why don’t they get it.?
It strikes me as odd that men who preach that all will stand in front of their god in judgment, behave in a manner contrary to their everlasting salvation. I see this as an indicator that this is all smoke and mirrors. They continue to act in a fashion that indicates their own disbelief in a higher power’s justice. Perhaps they believe their collar makes them immune. Think about it.
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 