Church News

I have been meaning to post on this subject for awhile, but haven't gotten around to it. An article was posted on the front page of the Denver Post this past Monday that caught a lot of people by surprise. Longtime Colorado priest removed from duties after allegation of sexual abuse decades ago - The Denver Post

Father Mel is a very sweet man, whose sermons were very passionate and heartfelt. He has been the assistant Pastor at St. Thomas More for the past 9 years up until this past weekend when he was removed from his duties. Despite what media likes to portray, the Church takes these allegations very seriously which resulted in his quick removal from the church. Which other profession would remove someone from their job after one unproven allegation without so much as giving the accused a chance to speak for themselves? Guilty until proven innocent?

Now, don't get me wrong. I completely understand the urgency of removing someone under these circumstances. The safety of our children always comes first before anything. However, is it really putting our children's safety first when media shows up to school Monday morning filming students going into class before an announcement had even been made, or parents had been given an opportunity to discuss the issue with them?

It is important to note that Father Mel has maintained his innocence. However, since the allegation happened in the early 70's it is out of DPD's statute of limitations and therefore no investigation will be conducted. So even if Father Mel were 100% innocent, his name will now be forever known as a child molesting priest. No other allegations have been made.

I used to work with Pedophiles and think there is nothing worse than this crime and 'disease.' What could be worse than harming a child? I pray for those abused, and especially those abused by ones they've trusted.

I am not saying that Father Mel is innocent, right now only he and God will know. But I do know that if someone is saying they are innocent it is important that their voice is heard too. For those that jump to conclusions and assume he is another boy loving priest is hurtful and bothersome.

The only “good” news in today’s heavy, renewed media attention to international allegations of clergy sex abuse is that we’ve learned a great deal from experience. It’s clear now, in ways far more irrefutable and widely reported than in years past, that celibacy has nothing to do with the cause of clergy sexual abuse; that the Church in the United States has acted vigorously to deal with this problem; that priests abuse young people at no higher rate than any other profession or social group; that sexual abuse of minors is equally prevalent in public schools and institutions; and that too often - as Investor’s Business Daily editorialized on April 9 - too much of the press itself, including leading publications like The New York Times, has a seriously flawed approach to reporting this sensitive issue. -Archbishop Chaput, Denver Catholic Register April 12, 2010.

You can read the rest of his article here Column by Archbishop Chaput :: Swift action painful but necessary in abuse allegation

It is hard knowing that you belong to a religion that so strongly preaches love of the poor and helpless. That gives so much love, time and resources to those that are hurting and in need. Yet you hear so many hurtful and ignorant comments by people that are sometimes hard to swallow! I always knew there were people with many opinions of the Catholic church, but until recently I did not know how rampant they were. To claim that we are not Christian, that we are intolerant of all people not Catholic, that we worship idols, that all clergy members are child molesters, that the church is money hungry is all hurtful and inaccurate. But, all that is another topic of discussion.

My main point of this blog is to acknowledge that this has happened at my church and that we are taking it seriously. But to also remember the penal law, innocent until proven guilty.