Four. That is the number of victims of Father Robert Gibson to which the Diocese of Scranton has stipulated. Four. I don't get it. I cannot believe that the Diocese of Scranton continues to stubbornly stick to that number. I have corresponded with survivors, family members of survivors, classmates of survivors, as well as friends. I have spoken to… Continue reading Only Four, I Think Not…
Category: East Stroudsburg
Fund Drives and the Ghosts of Pedophiles Past
I received a letter in the mail not long ago from the "2009 Annual Campaign" for Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The campaign has a theme, "Celebrating Today... Preparing for Tomorrow". As with all fundraisers, the letter came with a glossy brochure full of information on projects to be accomplished, scholarship assistance… Continue reading Fund Drives and the Ghosts of Pedophiles Past
Threats and intimidation
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
An Open Letter to Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Diocese of Scranton
At some point it stops being about God, doesn’t it?
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
An Introduction
A recent article in the Scranton Times-Tribune identified another priest in the Diocese of Scranton who has been accused of sexually abusing children. The headline accompanying the story exclaimed, "The Diocese comes clean on Abusive Priest." The Diocese did not really come clean; they were forced to respond to a reporter's inquiry about allegations that… Continue reading An Introduction
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 