Response from SNAP’s National Director to a recent post on Off My Knees

Through an email released by SNAP to its leaders a few days ago, David Clohessy responded to the blog of  "a relatively new leader" (that would be me), specifically the post entitled What's the SNAP Game Plan for the New Bishop of Scranton? Some thoughts from David Clohessy When SNAP issues public statements, like we… Continue reading Response from SNAP’s National Director to a recent post on Off My Knees

What’s the SNAP Game Plan for the New Bishop of Scranton?

Yesterday, the Vatican announced the appointment of Monsignor Joseph Bambera as the 10th Bishop of Scranton.  I jumped right on this, I am a blogger, that is what I do.  Other people jumped on it as well.  SNAP  issued a few statements yesterday.  One of them was on Bishop-elect Bambera of Scranton. In the interest… Continue reading What’s the SNAP Game Plan for the New Bishop of Scranton?

The friend of my enemy is my enemy…

By Michael Baumann I received a comment to an older post about a week ago that had me a little baffled at first.  The comment was from a "D. W. Downey" and it was intended to get me to wonder if  Father Virgil Bradley Tetherow, formerly a priest in the Diocese of Scranton, was framed… Continue reading The friend of my enemy is my enemy…

Innocent until proven guilty…

It is already beginning.  The troops are rallying around the disgraced priest.  If you read the online reports of the arraignment of Father Bob Timchak in the various news outlets you will find comments by people weighing in on both sides of this issue.  Parishioners and former students are expressing shock and disbelief.  Some are… Continue reading Innocent until proven guilty…

Child Pornography in the Rectory at Lords Valley, Pennsylvania

In case you are one of the people who believe that the worst of the sex scandal in the Catholic Church is over, I have more bad news.  Another priest in the Diocese of Scranton has been reported, this time for child pornography. According to news reports, and this is a story that is just… Continue reading Child Pornography in the Rectory at Lords Valley, Pennsylvania

Working the Congregation, A Story of a Philandering Priest …

The Year of the Priest rolls on. I just don’t think that this is what the Pope had in mind! A New York Times article that ran on 15 October tells the story of “a mother, a sick son and his father, the priest”. The priest a, Franciscan Friar, was able to work his way… Continue reading Working the Congregation, A Story of a Philandering Priest …

Rogue Priest, formerly of the Diocese of Scranton, Living the Good Life in Paraguay

I recently received a press release concerning on of the Diocese of Scranton's poster priests for child sexual abuse, Fr. Carlos Urrutigoity of the Society of St John.  I don't usually get press releases, so I did not really know what to do with it.  Because I had written about Carlos Urrutigoity in the past… Continue reading Rogue Priest, formerly of the Diocese of Scranton, Living the Good Life in Paraguay

What I Have Learned in a Year of Blogging

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town. George Carlin It is October and I realized the other day that I have been doing this blog for almost a year.  I posted for the first time on 14 October 2008.  Since then I have published over 90… Continue reading What I Have Learned in a Year of Blogging

Nova Scotia Bishop MIA in Wake of Child Porn Warrant

After an arrest warrant was issued by Canadian authorities for Bishop Raymond Lahey of the Roman Catholic diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia for child pornography, the whereabouts of Bishop Lahey are unknown. Bishop Lahey had his resignation accepted by Pope Benedict XVI over the weekend, followed by his hasty departure from his Diocese. Bishop… Continue reading Nova Scotia Bishop MIA in Wake of Child Porn Warrant

Tim Fischer

There is a bond that connects many survivors of sexual abuse by clergy.  I wish I could pin it down and tell you what it is. It is far more than a shared experience or knowing the depth of the anguish that comes from holding a secret as horrible as this for all these years.… Continue reading Tim Fischer