Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian
From the Pastor Emeritus' Desk

     The Church has come under severe criticism the last few years, as we know, because of the way some bishops have handled the cases of sexually abusive priests, who have violated their sacred vows and caused irreparable harm to hundreds of innocent children and young people. Much of this criticism is justified and a cause of shame to the Church. Be assured, however, that the Diocese of Cleveland, aware of its own indiscretions, has in place a rigid policy pertaining to the “Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse” since March of 2003, and revised in November of 2007.
     Awareness of this scandal has now spread throughout Europe and involved not only local bishops but the Holy Father himself who is accused of covering up allegations of abuse while still a diocesan bishop and as the head of the Office of the Doctrine of Faith in Rome. Bishops sometimes down played the guilt of an individual priest in order to protect the reputation of the larger Church, based on the Thomistic thesis that the community is greater than the individual. This is wrong, of course, when great harm is done to the individual.
     Keep in mind, however, before we blame the bishops too much, that they often sent their guilty priests to psychiatrists or other health professionals for treatment and rehabilitation, who, after a few months, pronounced them “cured” or “healed” and recommended that the bishops return them to ministry. We know now that the affliction of pedophilia is not curable.
     Remember, too, that sexual abuse is not a “Catholic problem.” It exists among all cultures, religions, ethnic groups; it is indeed a global plague. In the United States, some 40 to 60 percent of such abuse takes place within families – often at the hands of live-in boyfriends, or the second (or third or fourth) husband of a child’s mother. Nor is celibacy the cause of such crimes. As reported by Newsweek, according to George Weigel, noted author and senior fellow of Washington’s Ethics and Public Policy Center, the case of a married Wilmington, Delaware pediatrician charged with 471 counts of sexual abuse in February has nothing to do with celibacy. Neither did the 290,000 reported cases of sexual abuse in American public schools between 1991 and 2000, estimated by Charol Shakeshaft of Virginia Commonwealth University. Sexual abusers throughout the world are noncelibate.
     Let us pray for the victims of abuse and for their abusers. And give thanks to God for the many deserving priests and bishops who lead our Church as faithful shepherds.

Fr. Bob

     Everyone in our Nation, and indeed, throughout the world, was shocked and extremely saddened by the tragic events that took place in New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001. This, of course, includes the people of our city and parish community, whether or not we knew people or are related to those who lost their lives.
     People ask: “What can we do?” We have already responded in a prayerful way by coming together for a special memorial service and for Sunday prayer and liturgy. We have responded generously with financial support to the Catholic Charities Disaster Relief Fund and to the many appeals from Fire and Police agencies. At the bidding of Parish Council, I have written to Mayor Guiliani of New York City and President Bush offering our prayers for the victims and their families and support for their administrations, as well as for Divine guidance for the decisions that will have to be made in the near future.
     Still, people ask: "What more can we do?” As your pastor, I urge you to live the Christian life to the best of your ability. Seek justice, but be aware of God’s infinite mercy. Be kind to one another. Be compassionate and considerate and respectful to one another. Forgive each other as God has forgiven you. Love your enemies as well as your friends, as the Lord bids us to do. Have respect for all human life, from conception to natural death. Be a people of prayer. Gather the family for daily prayer. Pray before the Blessed Sacrament. And above all, don’t let your anger and frustration turn into hate for the people of any race, nationality, religion or ethnic background because of the actions of a few.
     God has perhaps called us to this moment of truth to test our faith and dedication to carrying out His Divine Will. Let us be up to the task. Justice must prevail. Perpetrators must be punished. But let us also remember the words of Christ on the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
     "Let there be peace on earth. And let it begin with me.”