This documentary is a must see for anyone who does not believe that the Catholic Church has completely failed at dealing with the Priest Sex Abuse Scandal. I highly recommend renting this movie.
Category: Priest Sex Scandal
Pennsylvania Legislative Update
During the 2007 session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, 3 lawmakers sponsored and many others added their names as co-sponsors to legislation to modify or eliminate statutes of limitation for criminal and civil actions in Pennsylvania. These pieces of legislation, if approved, would have opened a window for victims of sexual abuse by serial… Continue reading Pennsylvania Legislative Update
Florida, not the happiest place on earth…
Near the end of my 8th grade year, Father Gibson made an offer to take me to Florida for a vacation. While most 13 year old kids in 1974 would have jumped at the chance to go to Disney World I knew what I was in for. He made the suggestion to my parents, who… Continue reading Florida, not the happiest place on earth…
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
Support Groups
I have been looking for an organization that could provide information and guidance in helping me deal with this mess. The obvious group is the Survivor's Network for those Abused by Priests or SNAP. Snap has a pretty comprehensive website with frequent updates on news, legislative updates and events that impact those who have been… Continue reading Support Groups
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.
Unexpected Interaction
I am amazed at the positive response I have been receiving to this blog. I have communicated with people that, unfortunately, share a common bond of having been abused/molested/raped by a member of the clergy or are close to someone that was. I was startled by the similarities in the stories not only of the… Continue reading Unexpected Interaction
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
Crossing the lines…
It seems counter intuitive that the Catholic Church would protect pedophiles and seek to silence the victims of sexual abuse. After all, the church is supposed to be a moral compass guiding us to behave in such a manner as to emulate the life of Christ. It should be championing those who have suffered and… Continue reading Crossing the lines…
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 