Whistleblowers group offers Cardinal Dolan support, criticism

[rug]

Peter Feuerherd | May. 9, 2017

NEW YORK Before embarking on a May 9 lobbying day in Albany in support of proposed New York state legislation that would extend the statute of limitations on child abuse claims, the watchdog group Catholic Whistleblowers offered both support and criticism of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

The group praised the New York Archdiocese's Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program to compensate victims with claims against clergy sex abusers. The program offers compensation even to those who come forth beyond New York's window for presenting claims, five years after a person reaches the age of 18.

The bishops of New York state have fought efforts to extend the statute of limitations in the past, stating that it would stretch the ability of witnesses to remember events that happened decades ago; would unfairly target private institutions like the church while leaving other entities untouched, such as public schools; and threaten dioceses with bankruptcy.

The effort to extend the statute of limitations has become an annual Albany legislative struggle, successfully fought off by the state's Catholic bishops. A similar struggle is expected in this year's session before the legislature adjourns this summer.

The Catholic Whistleblowers group comprises some 30 priests, religious and laypeople, including supporters of those sexually abused as well as victims who have worked for the church. In a statement, the group praised Dolan for instituting the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/whistleblowers-group-offers-cardinal-dolan-support-criticism

[AtheistCrusader]

1. "and threaten dioceses with bankruptcy"

So what.

If the crime was committed, if the harm was done, why is this even a concern?
BUT WE"LL GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

Oh sad. What a shame.

[rug]

2. So what?

If it goes bankrupt who will pay the claims?

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Ask yourself honestly.

Is that a concern you would raise about any non-religious or for-profit corporation that had criminal wrongdoing afoot, AND protectionism of said wrongdoing, when there are more victims that have not been compensated in any way?

I'm perfectly happy with that, regardless of whether it's a church or not.


Think real hard on what you're objecting to.

"If it goes bankrupt who will pay the claims?"

Since the claims threaten to bankrupt the church(es), and the time-window to file the claims exposes them to whatever financial tipping point might precipitate a bankruptcy, you're basically ignoring the fact that people were harmed, in favor of the church's financial health, on the justification that the church needs to pay some of the people who were harmed already.


People don't always come forward about sexual assault. For a variety of reasons, including the very protectionism that has exposed the church as an entity, to liability. Protectionism includes things like victim-blaming, and public victim-shaming. It's pretty fucked up.

Like murder, this type of crime is one I would be happy to see no statute of limitations whatsoever. I don't care if it's about a school system or a church, or a for-profit corporation, or a knitting club.

Edit: LOOK at this shit. https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218249968
Over and over. 46 years, I totally understand the difficulty in coming forward.

[rug]

4. No one is ignoring anything.

The IRCP itself is an acknowlegment that people were harmed. A cornerstone of restorative jstice is that those who were harmed are made whole. Compensation, with or without a lawsuit, is a cornerstone of that. Internet glibness about the issue is not.

Speaking of changing one's tune because something is or is not a religious entity, show me your posts about BP.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. I don't really post about that for BP in this location, because it is not a thing that would be

contested in the DU environment.

Point me to a BP apologist that would minimize or deflect for BP on that issue, and I'll happily have at them.
(During the entire thing, I didn't see any, in GD or Environment)