I knew something was wrong. I was supposed to spend the night at the rectory. The reason for the stay has long ago left my mind. Instead of getting on the East Stroudsburg School District bus in front of Notre Dame that would take me to East Stroudsburg High School to allow me to transfer to… Continue reading First descent into hell
Tag: Father Robert J. Gibson
The tyranny of distance and the curse of the Internet
I am frustrated. Admittedly, some of the frustration comes from a tyranny of distance. I am in southern Virginia and the diocese that I have an issue with is 400 miles worth of driving north of here. I would love to have a face to face conversation with the Bishop's advocate so I could look… Continue reading The tyranny of distance and the curse of the Internet
An Open Letter to Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Diocese of Scranton
At some point it stops being about God, doesn’t it?
Fear and Doubt
Thirty-five years later and I still have moments of terror. He had shown up in my life while I was in college and caused me to panic, the flight instinct kicking in and sending me into a spiral. He was always there in the back of my head and in the forefront of my… Continue reading Fear and Doubt
Picture This…
I realize that people are becoming desensitized to the Catholic Church's Sex Scandal. The media coverage over the past 10 years has been overwhelming at times. Some people would like to see this story die and go away. I know that the Catholic Church would like to see people like me go away and remain… Continue reading Picture This…
Bishop Timlin’s Precept and Decree on Father Robert Gibson
Reasons of Health? Is that what they call it at the Chancery when a priest has been accused of and admitted to molesting and raping children?
The Tip of the Pedophile Iceburg
Bishop Accountability lists 16 accused and/or convicted sexual predators in the Diocese of Scranton. News articles that included interviews with Diocesan officials list as many as 9 more who's names are being kept from the public. If you look at the database for accused priests for Pennsylvania, the number listed is 192. Imagine the depth of the problem if they all had… Continue reading The Tip of the Pedophile Iceburg
Let the Federal Search Warrants Flow…
Please support your local crusading U.S. Attorney! Yesterday's news, chronicled in the Abuse Tracker by Kathy Shaw, was full of stories about the Federal Grand Jury Investigation of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony for his alleged role in covering up child molestation by priests. The grounds on which the grand… Continue reading Let the Federal Search Warrants Flow…
Second and Third Order Effects
When I look back at decisions I have made and actions that I have taken throughout my life thus far, I am struck by the primary, secondary and tertiary effects of those decisions and actions. (note: if you are a diocesan spokesperson, tertiary is defined as third rank of order or importance, please try to… Continue reading Second and Third Order Effects
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…
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 