Off My Knees – A Blog by Michael Baumann
Standing up for myself and other victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
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
In March 2020, I attended an event at the University of Scranton where I challenged officials from the Diocese of Scranton on their lack of honesty when dealing with victims of Diocesan priests. I wanted to point out that survivors have a voice, a story to tell, and the right to be heard. While I… Continue reading Another Road Trip to the Electric City this November
Whoever listens to a witness, becomes a witnessElie Wiesel The University of Scranton's Task Force on Healing, Reconciliation and Hope was created in 2018 with the mandate to "address the difficult but necessary questions raised by the Grand Jury report detailing the sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Pennsylvania and failures by church leaders in… Continue reading The University of Scranton Task Force Report Is In
I traveled to Scranton for the University of Scranton's Task Force on Healing, Reconciliation a& Hope presentation Diocese of Scranton: Learning Lessons, Strengthening Safeguards & Empowering Survivors. The event featured the Vicar General of the Diocese, the Victim's Assistance Coordinator (VAC), and the Safe Environment Coordinator. A friend from the Class of '82 made the trip… Continue reading All Roads Lead to Scranton
Let me state at the beginning that I am a graduate of the University of Scranton. I think I can say that I began the process of healing at the U during my time there (1978-1982). I loved my school while I was there and still have many friends with whom I keep in contact.… Continue reading The University Of Scranton to Host Diocesan Offices Complicit in Sexual Abuse Coverup
It is done. I have spent hours filling out the ISCP questionnaire from the Diocese of Scranton. Despite the documentation already provided and the written acknowledgment from the Chancery, I had to answer the following questions: Where did the abuse occur? I provided a list. Age when first sexually abused? Thirteen When did the abuse… Continue reading Allocution
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)… Continue reading Mother’s Day Weekend update from the Diocese of Scranton
I have been struggling with this for weeks. I am trying to make sense of this play by the Diocese of Scranton. They have set a window for survivors to apply for the Independent Survivor Compensation Program (ISCP) that terminates in July for those who have not previously reported their abuse or in September for… Continue reading Filling out the ISCP application
If you are a survivor in the Diocese of Scranton, you will need to look at the Diocese website for the Independent Survivor's Compensation Program. The link is at the end of the news release and is not part of the main Diocesan site. The Bishop also released a video. There is not a lot… Continue reading Diocese releases more information on the ISCP
Author's note: This is my second attempt at this post. I have tempered my approach, but my outrage has not abated. A half-truth is even more dangerous than a lie. A lie, you can detect at some stage, but half a truth is sure to mislead you for long.” Anurag Shourie I have had two… Continue reading A letter from the VAC at the Diocese of Scranton: Independent Survivor Compensation Program
