The sex abuse scandal has increasingly entangled Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican in allegations of the cover-up of molesting priests. Now, one case has directly implicated the Pope after it was learned that in the 1990s then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger effectively spared an American molesting hundreds of deaf boys. The then Cardinal received letters from Wisconsin priests asking him to move against the Reverend Lawrence Murphy, who worked at the St John’s School for the Deaf in St Francis, Wisconsin. He appears to have blocked efforts to defrock Murphy.
The disclosure came as part of litigation against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In 1996 Murphy’s case was forwarded to the the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed by then Cardinal Ratzinger, who declined to act on the case even after the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Rembert Weakland, asked him to defrocked the priest.
Notably, the Pope’s right hand man, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (now his Vatican’s secretary of state) had ordered a canonical trial but that was stopped by the Pope after Murphy wrote to the Pope asking for mercy. He wrote to the Pope that he was in bad health and “I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood . . . I ask your kind assistance in this matter.” He appears to have gotten the assistance that he sought. He was able to live out his days as a priest.
This is the second major abuse case tied directly to the Pontiff this month, here.
UPDATE: The Vatican has issued a statement denying the allegations vis-a-vis Murphy, here.
For the full story, click here.
“sudden”
Bad fingers! Drink. More. Coffee.
Bdaman. You called Mike Spindell a “christ killer” and also tried to scare him about knowing his identity. He said he took steps to protect his family. What a thing to do to a man with a bad heart condition or anyone for that matter.
bdaslowone,
Nice try and a further indication of your true trollish nature.
You really aren’t on your A game anymore. Not that that was ever a serious threat.
What’s next? A double-dog dare? Oooooo.
Do not mistake my perfectly rational anger at the Pedophile Pope to be a suddenly lapse into stupidity or an inflexibility of tactical response. I’ve got tools you haven’t even seen yet. Nothing has curtailed my ability to make you look foolish. You do most of that heavy lifting yourself. All I have to do is show up to win in your case. Byron can at least get off the porch. You? Eh, not so much.
How about you running back and hiding under the porch again, little dog.
Because if you’d ever bested me in any way, you might have earned that kernel of respect you so clearly crave from a victory you’ll never have. All men are created equal, but not all men are equally created. It’s a truism because it’s true.
Run along now. Buddha has bigger concerns than your bruised ego.
Mike A.,
I was not including the ANTI-Popes in the calculations. I think I have read between 3 and 5. Depending on “WITCH” version you use.
Thank you again for the reference to Augustine. Was he the one from Hippo?
Buddah it’s all good. We both know that you can not, and will not, post as you did in the past. Especially now that names are being floated for lifetime positions. Don’t believe me. Go off like you use to. Go ahead I dare you. There’s the bait. Now lets see how hungry you are.
AY, the last Pope to resign was Gregory VI in the early 1400s. But I think there have been maybe a half a dozen. It’s not completely clear because they have not all been “voluntary.” Whether he resigns or not, the new information discovered in the Milwaukee litigation may provide legal grounds to expand the reach of the lawsuit. As long as the Church refuses to thoroughly purge its clerical ranks as a moral imperative, we must continue to rely upon the tried and true capitalist approach of using the financial imperative.
You don’t like being called out for your past actions, bdapuppet?
Actions have consequence. Again, cause and effect.
Like “poke the bear, get bit”.
Sure, what ever you say, just don’t quit your day job.
Mike A.,
If memory serves me correctly that maybe One Pope has resigned but not in most recent history. So long as he is Pope and all in the last 300 years has died in office he has immunity afforded the head of state. Hence, if he resigns he could possibly be criminally charged as head of the Corporation but not if he stays on the job until he dies. We will probably has to wait for the next puff of white smoke.
AY,
Point taken.
Hey man you live in LA, proof that GOD does not exist. Nuff said….
It is time for Pope Benedict to resign.
Or do you want to call me a “Christ Killer” too?
You only say that because you’ve been silent enough not to merit my wrath, bdatroll. Make no mistake, your agenda is counter to mine and I’ll never forget you are a bigot.
Buddah you have done an excellent excellent job as of late in re to self-control. I commend you sir.
I would also like to add as an aside to the Prof.:
Realize that it took almost every shred of my self-control to not unleash my full verbal nuclear arsenal on this scumbag.
Because I most surely want to use the most radioactive elements at my command, but in absence of such feel compelled to convey my desire to do such.
Oh yes.
I wanted to scream in him like the hot wind off the wings of furious angels. Very, VERY badly.
For the third time ever posting here, I am actually, not just angry, but ANGRY.
You are most welcome for my restraint, by your leave.
Well it fits he pattern of sparing an abusing priest from Germany who forced an 11 year old to perform oral sex on him. The Vatican’s reaction is likewise true-to-form: “Everyone’s setting up the Pope.” Here are the “compassionate” words of Fr. Lombardi, the Pope’s spokeman:
It’s rather clear that in recent days there have been people who have searched – with notable tenacity – in Regensburg and Munich for elements to personally involve the holy father in the question of the abuses. To any objective observer it’s clear that these attempts have failed.
Suffer the little chldren, indeed.
Tell it to the Judge!
OMG, WTF.
“Lay with dogs and one gets fleas.” – Old Country Truism
But we aren’t talking dogs here, are we Your Popeliness? We are talking about pedophiles. Abuse of the weak by those in positions of authority. Does covering the abuses – for ANY reason be it simple embarrassment or avoidance of civil liability – does that comport with the teachings of Jesus? Or if presented with the situation, would he have cleared them out of the Temple along with the money changers? I’m betting it wouldn’t have been as kind an ejection as the money changers got. It’d might have resulted in a straight out beat down.
Quite simply, your vileness knows no end. Bad men protect bad men from justice. And pedophiles are some of the baddest of the wicked.
Enjoy your flea rife bed, Your Unholiness.
If you’re feeling the heat? Might I suggest it’s just your actual boss whispering in your ear. You know him all too well, your alleged opposition. “Please allow me to introduce myself/I’m a man of wealth and taste/I’ve been around for a long, long years/Stole many a man’s soul and faith.” And not the cartoon red-skinned, cloven hoofed, pitchfork wielding Satan either, but the actual twisted and dark evil impulses that can arise in the hearts and minds of even the most banal. If you are hearing an ever growing noise? That droning roar is the Wheel of Karma. In this instance might I say it should roll steadily over your dogma, Protector of Child Predators.
EVERYONE involved in the conspiracy of this cover-up needs to be prosecuted & jailed.
NO ONE is above the law.