On November 10, 2021, I participated in a frank discussion about the Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church from the Perspective of Survivors. Joining me were Kristen Ciaccia (Co-Host of The Angry Catholic Show), Shaun Dougherty (President of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)), and Brian Cites (Associate Director, Baker -Nord… Continue reading The Video from Survivors’ Perspectives Panel is Available
Category: Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Truth and Reconciliation
Forty years ago, I was a Senior at The University of Scranton. I had to let that set in when I was on a Zoom call with everyone involved in bringing this event together. I am heading back one more time for a conversation that I believe is long overdue. Joining me to have a… Continue reading Truth and Reconciliation
Justice Denied by Clerical Error? I Think Not!
I do not believe in accidents when it comes to justice for survivors of child sexual abuse. So when I heard last week about the “mistake” made in the process of bringing an amendment that would extend the timeline retroactively for victims to file civil actions against the predators that abused and raped them, I… Continue reading Justice Denied by Clerical Error? I Think Not!
An Update on the Status of Survivor Funds in PA
I have heard from a few of you concerning the amount of time it is taking to get an offer from the various funds set up by the Dioceses in Pennsylvania for childhood survivors of sexual crimes by priests. I have heard there is a backlog with the administrators, an article, Pennsylvania dioceses offer $84M… Continue reading An Update on the Status of Survivor Funds in PA
This week’s reading. Follow the money!
I took today off to finish drafting my ISCP package. With any luck, I will have it off my plate by the end of the weekend. I will go through that mess with you all as soon as it is emailed to go through a review for legal sufficiency. But for now, I have a… Continue reading This week’s reading. Follow the money!
Awaiting Details of the Bishop’s Fund and End of the Year Reading
There are only a few days left until the Diocese of Scranton releases the information on the Bishop's Victims Compensation Fund. I am confident that Bishop Bambera will over-promise and under-deliver to victims and their families. If you plan to make a claim against the Diocese of Scranton, watch their news release page for information. … Continue reading Awaiting Details of the Bishop’s Fund and End of the Year Reading
Indifference
"What hurts the victim the most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander."
St. Crispin’s Day
Today, 25 October, is the Feast of St Crispin. It is also the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years War between France and England. It was an English victory despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of the French forces that engaged a tired English army. A turning point in the war,… Continue reading St. Crispin’s Day
This week’s required reading…
Here is the latest group of articles I am recommending as your reading for the week: How a Catholic sex abuse report in Pennsylvania echoed around the U.S. D.C. attorney general opens inquiry into sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Washington Bill White: PA Senate's inaction on child sex abuse bill was cowardly Want to… Continue reading This week’s required reading…
Dare to do right…
"DARE TO DO RIGHT AND TRUST THE CONSEQUENCES TO INFINITE WISDOM" James G. Blaine Those words are carved into a stone bench facing the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. It makes me wonder if the people who work there, allegedly in the service of the people of the Commonwealth of… Continue reading Dare to do right…
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 