Over time, Gibson became much more controlling and aggressive. He was less likely to "soften" me up with alcohol and much more forward when he had the opportunity to get me alone. His initial caring words and expressions of god's love and understanding that what we were doing was good and right and part of… Continue reading Threats and intimidation
Category: Diocese of Scranton
First descent into hell
I knew something was wrong. I was supposed to spend the night at the rectory. The reason for the stay has long ago left my mind. Instead of getting on the East Stroudsburg School District bus in front of Notre Dame that would take me to East Stroudsburg High School to allow me to transfer to… Continue reading First descent into hell
An Open Letter to Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Diocese of Scranton
At some point it stops being about God, doesn’t it?
Building an Online Community for Survivors of Clerical Sexual Abuse.
I am trying to work out where I want to go with this blog. Now that I am over 50 posts into this little exercise in free speech I am struggling with where to go next. I am trying to find out what I should be talking about and what voice I should use to… Continue reading Building an Online Community for Survivors of Clerical Sexual Abuse.
Fear and Doubt
Thirty-five years later and I still have moments of terror. He had shown up in my life while I was in college and caused me to panic, the flight instinct kicking in and sending me into a spiral. He was always there in the back of my head and in the forefront of my… Continue reading Fear and Doubt
Patron Saint Nomination for Victims of Sexual Abuse by Priests
Since the Catholic Church is unable or unwilling to do the right thing when it comes to the victims of sexual crimes perpetrated by pedophile priests, it is obvious that we need someone looking out for us. What we need is a patron saint who is suited to intercede against the powers the inhabit the… Continue reading Patron Saint Nomination for Victims of Sexual Abuse by Priests
Looking for all other bloggers on the Church Sex Scandal
I am approaching my 50th post in the blogging experiment I began back in October, 2008. My focus has been on the continuing rape/sexual molestation/sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. Over the last 6 months I have linked to several blogs and websites that support victims to my blog. Let me be clear at… Continue reading Looking for all other bloggers on the Church Sex Scandal
Myths and Truths
The Zalkin Law Firm in New York has come up with a very interesting analysis of 8 top storylines promoted by the Leadership of the Catholic Church in their lobby efforts to defeat the Child Victim's Act of New York. They have debunked the key arguments set forward by Catholic Leaders across the country as… Continue reading Myths and Truths
Follow the Money
The 2008 Annual Report of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection was release in February, 2009. The document is the sixth Annual Report compiled by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The report is meant to assess diocesan /eparchial/religious institution compliance with The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The… Continue reading Follow the Money
Connecting the dots…
Abuse thrives in an environment of secrecy! These people are enablers of abuse as long as they keep the Bishops' secrets.
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 