I do not believe in accidents when it comes to justice for survivors of child sexual abuse. So when I heard last week about the “mistake” made in the process of bringing an amendment that would extend the timeline retroactively for victims to file civil actions against the predators that abused and raped them, I… Continue reading Justice Denied by Clerical Error? I Think Not!
Category: Pennsylvania Legislation
Allocution
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
Abuse Survivors, the New Lepers
a person who is avoided or rejected by others for moral or social reasons. Let's just put this out there. Abuse survivors are the new lepers to the "Catholic faithful." Recently, a Facebook Post reply from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference to a comment left by Carolyn Fortney showed that organization's disdain for the universe of… Continue reading Abuse Survivors, the New Lepers
Senator Scarnati’s Pastor Removed for Allegations of Sexual Abuse with a Minor
The Diocese of Eire has removed Monsignor Charles Kaza from St. Tobias Parish in Brockway, PA while an investigation is made into allegations that he sexually abused a minor at St. John The Baptist Parish in Erie in the 1980s. As of the time I was writing this on 19 May 2019, it is five… Continue reading Senator Scarnati’s Pastor Removed for Allegations of Sexual Abuse with a Minor
Filling out the ISCP application
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
A letter from the VAC at the Diocese of Scranton: Independent Survivor Compensation Program
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
Awaiting Details of the Bishop’s Fund and End of the Year Reading
There are only a few days left until the Diocese of Scranton releases the information on the Bishop's Victims Compensation Fund. I am confident that Bishop Bambera will over-promise and under-deliver to victims and their families. If you plan to make a claim against the Diocese of Scranton, watch their news release page for information. … Continue reading Awaiting Details of the Bishop’s Fund and End of the Year Reading
A Letter to the President of The University of Scranton: Show Me Your Good Faith and Resolve
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
St. Crispin’s Day
Today, 25 October, is the Feast of St Crispin. It is also the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years War between France and England. It was an English victory despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of the French forces that engaged a tired English army. A turning point in the war,… Continue reading St. Crispin’s Day
This week’s required reading…
Here is the latest group of articles I am recommending as your reading for the week: How a Catholic sex abuse report in Pennsylvania echoed around the U.S. D.C. attorney general opens inquiry into sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Washington Bill White: PA Senate's inaction on child sex abuse bill was cowardly Want to… Continue reading This week’s required reading…
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 