Off My Knees – A Blog by Michael Baumann
Standing up for myself and other victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
I don't get much feedback from those who come to this blog. There are times when I think it would be easier to drive to Virginia Beach (I live in Southeastern Virginia) and yell at the tide rolling in than to write posts (and rewrite them repeatedly). Two weeks ago, I wrote a piece on… Continue reading I am not the only militant talking about Bishop Bambera.
It has been six months since my last post. Much has happened for me, but nothing has changed as far as the Diocese of Scranton is concerned. Everything remains a risk calculation for the boys on Wyoming Avenue. We are no closer to the truth, no closer to the Bishop taking responsibility for his actions,… Continue reading When Life Gives You Demons
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
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
Twas the week before Christmas... The University of Scranton's President, Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., has released a message on the University's Website and in an email to the University Community regarding the Maryland Province releasing the names of Jesuits credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. As Father Pilarz points out, four of the Jesuits… Continue reading The Jesuits
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in the Sexual Abuse Crisis would be removed from campus buildings and honorary degrees awarded to those individuals rescinded.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
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…
The Republican Senators getting ready to vote against legislation, based on recommendations from the recent Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, that would grant the the right for victims to seek redress in a civil court are reaffirming the culture of protecting pedophiles and support for the continued victimization of children and vulnerable adults in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I have a healthy skepticism when it comes to anyone actually prosecuting the institutions that have made it a business practice to support and protect pedophiles that groom, sexually abuse and rape children within that institution. There is a risk calculation, no doubt, that guides these institutions to deny claims of abuse, attempt to discredit… Continue reading Dial the number…
I am writing this from the low country of South Carolina. A break needed to assess where I am and where I am going. I am also working on a project that I will keep under wraps for the time being. The first steps are proving to be very challenging. After the post from July… Continue reading The Answer to “What is it going to take?”
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 