Off My Knees – A Blog by Michael Baumann
Standing up for myself and other victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
From the Diocese of Scranton's Media Page. Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton I was surprised to find out that Bishop Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton held a Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse. At this mass, “he acknowledged and again apologized for the pain of survivors of sexual abuse.” Wow, what… Continue reading Bishop holds mass for survivors but didn’t invite them…
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. Albert Einstein While I was at the Task Force Event at the University of Scranton, I had the opportunity to meet Paul and Kris Ciaccia, the husband and wife team behind The Angry Catholic. They run a site… Continue reading The Angry Catholic.com
You were in the room when I arrived early for the event. Another survivor was there as well. We were both trying to get the lay of the land, a feel for the space, and a read on the way we would be received. You were organizing the room when I introduced myself and the… Continue reading Compassion
Packing my bags for the event in Scranton on Thursday. I can't forget my Bingo Card to keep score. Thanks to Mike McDonnell for posting this to Facebook.
For those of you planning on attending the Healing, Reconciliation, and Hope event at the University of Scranton on Thursday, March 5, 2020, be aware of potential traffic and parking restrictions. President Trump is conducting a Town Hall Event during approximately the same time frame in Scranton. As of this posting, I have no information on… Continue reading Trump Card on the Diocese Forum
I was going through kitchen cabinets tonight looking for one of my old Navy mugs when I stumbled on a University of Scranton Orientation '81 mug. It was a thank you gift for the student volunteers who made Orientation go flawlessly for the class of '85 during Labor Day Weekend, 1981. I was one… Continue reading Questions, I Have So Many Questions
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
I have heard from a few of you concerning the amount of time it is taking to get an offer from the various funds set up by the Dioceses in Pennsylvania for childhood survivors of sexual crimes by priests. I have heard there is a backlog with the administrators, an article, Pennsylvania dioceses offer $84M… Continue reading An Update on the Status of Survivor Funds in PA
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
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
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 