I am working on drafting a letter to Bishop Martino to address the particulars of my "experiences" with Father Gibson when I was 13. This has been a difficult letter to write because it not only addresses the nature of the abuse but because I want to also ask him why no investigation has ever been conducted… Continue reading Drafting a Letter to Bishop Martino
Category: Diocese of Scranton
Adrift
I was reading some of the blogs that come from others who share a similar experience. One in particular struck me with a word that I no longer wish to use in my search for answers. The word is adrift. Please excuse an old Navy man for taking exception with this term. Adrift implies that… Continue reading Adrift
Kelly in Marquette
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. Blaise Pascal Kelly, I read your blog posts for December. I want more people to read it. I want people to read all the blogs of all the people that are still struggling with the damage caused by these… Continue reading Kelly in Marquette
Out of pocket
I have not posted in a little while. There are many reasons for this. Obviously, a glance towards a calendar would indicate that it was the holiday season. This time of year comes with some real challenges. The message of the holiday season and the focus on religious services sometimes can be an overwhelming reminder… Continue reading Out of pocket
Shameful Legacy
The current Bishop of Scranton and his predecessor have a dismal record of dealing with the issue of priest sexual abuse. While these men should have been working hard to tend to their flocks and drive the wolves from the church, they seem to be proud of the fact that they have kept the financial… Continue reading Shameful Legacy
The Face of My Abuser
I finally downloaded the drivers to get my HP "All in One" to work with VISTA on my laptop. Once I had the scanner working I was able to scan a photo of Father Gibson out of the 1976 Notre Dame High School yearbook. He was listed as the Pastor of Our Lady Queen of… Continue reading The Face of My Abuser
Investigations of Abuse Claims Are Optional?
One would reasonably think that the Diocese would be interested in either vindicating a priest accused of criminal activity or document his activity in an effort to remove him from any environment where he could repeat his behavior.
An application for an apology….
Spin is very important for an organization as large as a Catholic Diocese. In addition to the army of lobbyists they employ to keep legal avenues closed to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of some of their priests, they employ a communications director who serves as the mouthpiece for the organization. What this… Continue reading An application for an apology….
Note to the Chancery in Scranton…
Do I have your attention yet? Abuse thrives in an environment of secrecy! Have you figured that out yet?
I Dare You
At the end of my eighth grade year at Notre Dame JR/SR High School there was an assembly of the eighth grade in a large lecture hall next to the chemistry lab. This particular room had auditorium seating and a lab table in the front of the room. At this assembly the "I Dare You"… Continue reading I Dare You
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 