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Bishop Murry has earned community’s appreciation
TweetEver since the American Catholic Church was rocked to its core in 2002 by credible newspaper reports that the church’s hierarchy had covered up numerous incidents of sexual abuse of minors by priests, we have adopted a hard line against bishops and archbishops who have been identified as protecting the clergy.
Our position is that while priests who indulge in sexual abuse and pedophilia are being punished as a result of the outcry from Catholics and non-Catholics, the hierarchy has not been called to account. Some of the most influential bishops and archbishops have sought to silence the accusers of the abusive priests with monetary payoffs and to protect the priests by assigning them to other parishes.
We have often criticized the failure of those in charge to deal with this shocking scandal in an honest, open, Christian manner.
Such honesty and openness is possible — as Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has shown.
Bishop Murry, who has led the diocese since March 2007, is dealing with an ongoing sexual abuse case involving a long-time priest, the Rev. Thomas Crum, in a way that will instill confidence and faith in his leadership.
“The Diocese of Youngstown continues to be committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse,” the bishop said in a statement. “I am deeply sorry for the pain suffered by survivors of abuse due to the actions of some members of the clergy, because nothing is more important than protecting our children.”
If only other bishops and archbishops had been as forthright in acknowledging the sins of some clergymen and as heartfelt in their recognition of the physical and psychological damage done to many innocent young Catholics.
Quick action
Bishop Murry moved quickly to strip Father Crum of his right to celebrate the sacraments, wear clerical attire or present himself as a priest in good standing after the priest admitted to an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 years ago when he was on the faculty of Cardinal Mooney High School.
And, more importantly, the bishop encouraged anyone who may have experienced sexual abuse by clergy or others associated with the church to contact the diocesan victim’s assistance coordinator and to notify civil authorities. Subsequently two other allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Crum have been lodged.
While Bishop Murry has made a commitment to keep the identities of the sexual abuse victims secret, it might be beneficial to the community if some details of when the sexual abuse occurred were revealed. Father Crum was on the faculty at Cardinal Mooney from 1975-1977. The question that has arisen since the first allegation was made is this: How is it possible that the priest was able to conduct himself in such a despicable fashion without any of his colleagues knowing?
On the other hand, if there were whispers about his behavior, did anyone in authority confront him?
Bishop Murry’s initial reaction, however, should reassure Catholics and non-Catholics alike that the Youngstown diocese will not participate in a cover-up of misbehavior by the clergy.
Comments
It may well be that we will never know how many Roman Catholic Pastors, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals and Major Superiors have been, and are yet still, involved in the coverup of the sexual victimization of children, young people and vulnerable adults perpetrated by Catholic Priests, Brothers, Deacons, Nuns and (yes) even some Bishops. It is however, rediculous for Church Leaders to continue to speak on matters of morality when most of these Leaders have ridden to their present positions of wealth and power over the bloodied and tortured bodies of the Roman Catholic Children and Young People. There is a great deal of blood on the name and reputation of our once ancient and honorable faith. Those who have sinned, will be judged; however, there can be no pardon for the criminal depraved indifference of the suffering of purity and innocence.
"The question that has arisen since the first allegation was made is this: How is it possible that the priest was able to conduct himself in such a despicable fashion without any of his colleagues knowing?"
I agree, how is this possible? From my experience, I have learned the sad stories from victims who have been sexually abused by catholic clergy.
Kids have been raped, sodomized, manipulated, sexually abused during prayer, in church sanctuaries, and in church rectories, in priests' cars, in priests' cabins, in priests' boats, and in the victim's house, (while parents are not aware). They have been abused in schools, in the priest's own bed, in front of other priests, in front of other kids, in choir lofts, at CCD classes. They have gotten called out of the class room (to learn how to be an altar boy).. but instead they have been fondled, masturbated, forced to masturbate the priest, they have been sexually abused in confession, after confession, in boys clubs created by priests, in front of statues, and before and after Mass. They have been fondled and forced to perform oral sex on the priests. They have been told that this is normal, while being sexually violated. They have been threatened that if they tell anyone, their parents will get kicked out of the church, or they will get kicked out of school, or worse... they have been told that what is happening to them, has already been ok'd by their parents. I can keep going....if you wish!!
So yes, this Vindy opinion article has asked two very valid questions that need to be answered by those who work for the Youngstown diocese.
Judy Block Jones, SNAP director southeastern Ohio, 636-433-2511
This article is all fine and dandy. However, the Roman Catholic body of people continue to overlook the fact, by definition, of celibacy in and of itself being a perversion. Essentially all the the church is perverted and no one is left to forgive these monsters. None will escape this appelation, all are aware.
I like this guy a lot, but he had two fraud's handling the merger, cough closing, of St. Joseph's with IHM.
Dear Editor,
The Vindy is asking some very valid and urgent questions about whether Fr Crum's colleagues knew about his despicable behavior and did anyone in authority confront him?
I would also ask some more questions.
How was Fr Crum able to get away with abusing not just one child but several, yet the Youngstown Diocese knew nothing about his behavior until a couple of weeks ago when Bishop Murry removed him from his parish?
Crum is reported to have been placed in a private institution somewhere, but have the Youngstown law authorities been notified as to where he is located? As more reports seem to be surfacing, there may be one that is actionable, and accused priests are known to skip the country.
Your article focuses on the importance of asking questions. All parents, who's kids went to Mooney high school, or who were altar boys in other parishes, or who were associated with Fr Crum in anyway, should ask questions. The latest reported victims came forward when they found out that they were not the only ones. This opening up is both healing for the victims and a protection against future victimization by Crum or any other priest.
Children expect adult responsibility and deserve our care. Victims of Crum are worried there are many more who have been harmed by this priest.
I urge anyone who has ever been harmed or has knowledge of harm, come out of the shadows of self-blame or fear. The only way to protect others and help victims heal is to go public. It is your responsibility to contact law enforcement if you have any information about illegal behavior by Fr Crum.
The Soothsayer
314-994-3534
For those who are wondering "WHY" the sex abuse by clergy has been such a big cover-up by the catholic bishops. this document will explain.
You may have to cut and paste this link into your web browser to read --- http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files... ---
This order from the Vatican to all the Bishops was to inform them on "HOW" they were instructed to handle the problem of sexual abuse by their clergy. If they did not follow these orders they would be excommunicated.
Please read and learn... then you will understand "WHY" I am constantly urging anyone who has been harmed by Fr Crum or any priest to report this crime to law enforcement, not the diocese.
This document was sent to every Bishop in the country from the Vatican March 16, 1962, it is called "The Decree
CRIMEN SOLLICITATIONIS"
Thank you for caring, Judy Block Jones, 636-433-2511
I was at a church where Fr. Crum served. As I read through the list of where he was and for how long I wondered if he was moved so often because of allegations at the time? Did he take a personal leave in 1994 on his own or was he forced to take a personal leave because of allegations? Did our Dioceses already know of allegations years ago and cover them up? While I would hope and pray that this isn't the case, my gut reaction is that there was a cover-up going on for years.
I applaud the Bishop's stand and how he has handled this current situation, but I still feel there is way more to this story and I would hope that all darkness is exposed.
Tom Doyle explains this document so well...cut and paste into your web browser if you wish to read....
http://www.richardsipe.com/doyle/Comm...