Off My Knees – A Blog by Michael Baumann
Standing up for myself and other victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
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
In a move that took me by surprise back in August, the incoming President of The University of Scranton, Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., directed that the names of bishops of the Diocese of Scranton involved in the Sexual Abuse Crisis would be removed from campus buildings and honorary degrees awarded to those individuals rescinded. This… Continue reading A Letter to the President of The University of Scranton: Show Me Your Good Faith and Resolve
I am catching up on my reading on the Diocese of Scranton in the wake of the Grand Jury Report and actions in the State House in Harrisburg. I keep going back to an article from the Associated Press by Michael Rubinkam on September 5th that discussed Bishop Bambera's involvement in a civil case… Continue reading Lack of confidence in Bishop Bambera’s ability to lead the Diocese of Scranton
I am the second son of an Irish-American Catholic family. My older brother was given the name of my father. My beautiful, devout mother named me after Michael the Archangel. Today, September 29, is the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel. In Catholic Angelology, Michael is one of God's storm troopers. He appears several… Continue reading The Feast of St. Michael, the struggle continues…
