Out of Control

In the last few years, there have been numerous allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church in Spokane, allegations of abuse from years and years ago.

In what I believe to have been a fatal mistake, our bishop, William Skylstad, gave up the castle, without seeing any weapons at the gate. I don't know the particulars or the dates, but I know some basic information.

Because of these allegations, and because it was known by the higher ups that some abusive priests had been shuffled around years ago, the Diocese of Spokane has been sued.

Rather than try the individual priests involved, the Diocese has been put on trial. And the Bishop and others have said, sure, why not?

Alleged "victims" have until 10 March to file. I don't know exactly what proof these people have to give as evidence, but it doesn't seem like they have to prove anything.

How is that fair?

So, because the Bishop chose to file for bankruptcy, the whole Diocese is under fire. A stupid judge ruled that each Parish, etc., belongs to the Diocese, rather than the people who built them, sustain them, the parishioners.

The Diocese is going to have to pay millions and millions of dollars to these "victims." Actually, we, the parishioners, are going to have to pay whatever the Diocese can't come up with, after the lands and some buildings are sold. More on that here.

How fair is that?

This is the fatal error the Bishop made. These "victims" ought to have had to prove their cases in a court of law, with real evidence, not just make allegations.

We are not reponsible for what sicko perverts did years ago. Many good, honorable, Holy men have been falsely accused of this horrid crimes.

And then, today, comes this: Top U.S. Bishop Accused of Sex Abuse.

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman has filed a claim that she was sexually abused more than 40 years ago by Bishop William Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops and leader of the Spokane Diocese.

Skylstad issued a statement Wednesday categorically denying the accusation, saying he has not violated the vow of celibacy he took 47 years ago.

The claim was filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Dec. 27 by a woman who said she was under the age of 18 when Skylstad sexually abused her at St. Patrick's Parish and at Gonzaga University from December 1961 to December 1964.

Skylstad was a student at Gonzaga University from 1962-1966 and taught mathematics to students at Mater Cleri Seminary at Colbert, north of Spokane.

The diocese is one of three in the nation that filed for bankruptcy protection to deal with claims of sexual abuse by clergy. Skylstad last month offered to settle with 75 victims for $45.7 million.

The woman's claim was filed as a result of the bankruptcy "proof of claims" process, the diocese said.

Victims of clergy sexual abuse have until Friday to file claims. Greg Arpin, an attorney representing the diocese, said there were a total of 135 claims as of Wednesday morning, including the original 75 who would be covered by the settlement.

Other than this error of stupidity (in my estimation), of choosing this legal road, Bishop Skylstad is a good, honorable, Holy man.

Our Lib paper, the Spokesman-Review (aka the Socialist-Review) has had very biased coverage. For what it is worth, you can find it here.

This whole thing is completely out of control. We shouldn't have to sell our schools and Churches to pay for something we didn't do . . . that there is not much proof of. Shouldn't these people have to provide proof, before they wipe out a whole Diocese? People sinned, but not all the people.