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Greetings, |
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I apologize for not updating the site as often as I would like, It has become very demanding, answering emails and working. Because I work for a School District, time has been limited, but now with summer recess I hope to keep up as much as I can. I have also had to cut back on Telephone contacts due to enormous phone bills. I have been in touch with many victims as of late and I hope that all of you that have contacted me or us seeking information has found some comfort in dealing with your individual needs and concerns. |
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Since this site started we have been in contact with hundreds of victims and have uncovered abuse in not only our area but others as well. We are contacted by people from all over the world. We encourage you to post on the Database any information you have regarding Priests that have been convicted. And although we keep ourselves "low Profile" our site is growing and gaining popularity among victims and the media at a rate we never expected. With sites and groups such as ours and the Network Survivors Group we will hopefully see the day where we can raise our children in an environment that is safe, and allow them to worship in a place that is free from abuse. |
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Nationally, people in the Catholic Church can feel some sense of relief due to the recent policy set forth by the National Conference of Bishops. But here in our Area Albany, New York. I feel their is still work to be done, only due to the Only Bishop in Disagreement with the National Bishops Policies is the Bishop for the Catholic Diocese here in Albany, New York. He compares the policies to "Drug Policies" and has stated that those policies have hurt people and destroyed their lives...........So out of touch! |
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I personally don't understand how he can compare an addiction problem to a Criminal act. I don't understand how he cannot "feel" for the victims abused in the past. There shame and pain last's a lifetime. |
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And if anything, it is his not understanding, the previous policies of the church and the policies he would like to see in place, that have destroyed countless lives even resulting in the loss of some in the past and for many years to come. The Bishops Conference vote clearly shows how out of touch the Bishop is with not only his people but other Bishops and the church hierarchy as well. |
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6/15/02 |
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"We must take advantage of this moment to make tangible for generations to come the spirit of this amazing era." |
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Bishop Hubbard |
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"You are a leader in the community |
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who works together with people to proclaim |
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God's promise of hope, life and justice." |
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Dear Bishop Hubbard, |
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As the author of this site I took it upon my self to test the openness and truthfulness of the Albany Diocese's "New" attitude towards Sexual Abuse. |
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I called the Diocen Office and asked to speak to someone regarding the New Taskforce that was recently put into place by your Holiness. I was told that I needed to speak to some one in the Chancellery office and was transferred. My phone call was met with dis-trust and they refused to give any information as to who was on this "Taskforce" or give me any information regarding the names of Priests that were previously found to have been involved with any activity the church deemed inappropriate. |
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Their reasoning was...that if I couldn't give them my full name, I was not entitled to it. I might add that it was already published in the Albany Times Union. (March 3,2002) The person on the phone was being coached as to what she could and could not tell me. Now I may be wrong here, but it was already public knowledge.....what harm was there in giving me the information I requested regarding the Taskforce?.....It seems to me that if the Diocese wants to work towards communication, forgiveness and understanding....they would be a little more forthcoming about something.....that was actually quite trivial, having already been published. |
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They were quite insisting on getting my name.....which to me shows a great deal of mistrust in their "Honest" intentions. Their handling of this matter goes far beyond human compassionate understanding. |
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Am I to believe that to "Make things right" ...a victim, is to simply call the diocese and tell them their name and sit down with the bishop and other priests to tell them something that was done by one of "their" peers......ok, that sounds comforting. Am I to believe that your panel (Taskforce) set up mostly filled with Lawyers is for the "Victims" sake? Of course not....that would be pretty naive of me. Oh wait, I almost forgot, their are two people on the Panel who are mothers....all well and good but what about the others, they don't get the same recognition. Even the name of the panel is confusing, "Taskforce" sounds urgent and very important, which it should be, but for a victim, it conjures up images of a intimidating "Swat Team". |
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How about a panel that does NOT include, the very people who the victim came to dis-trust?, How about a panel with LESS lawyers and more advocates for abuse, and also a child Psychologist to convey what the victim was feeling or going through at the time of his abuse? How about someone from the States child protective agency or an establishment equal to it? How about maybe even someone who has been a victim.? I commend Bishop Hubbard on his efforts, but I think a taskforce more in tune with abuse, civil liberties and human compassion issues would be more beneficial in understanding the whole picture, not a taskforce set up for the Church's own "Damage Control" policy....based on Dollars and cents. |
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The passing of time and the number of victims has proven that the Church can't handle the matter. |
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By what authority does the Church feel that it can handle "Civil" criminal activity? |
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What I don't understand the most, is that the Diocese is not "Listening", you have no regard for the victims.....I have heard claims that "Victims have a moral obligation to let the church know who is abusing them"....Don't the abusers (criminals) have a moral obligation as well?...Don't these Priests have an obligation to the vows and their beliefs in God in asking for forgiveness, coming forward and asking for "Help as well". All the church is doing is forcing the victims to rely on the churches failed attempts at some type of reconciliation. And belief that they will help them. Which I believe they will, monetarily ...at least, for counseling and therapy, but I don't think they can "Buy" their faith back. Damage control for who?... for only the accused. |
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I personally think that you as well as other bishops need to search your souls and turn to God for the Answers you are going to need to resolve all of this and save face with not only the victims, but the public, the congregation and God himself. Lets face it...The damage is done....So lets honestly together save not only the victims, but the accused and the Catholic institution in the process. The Catholic institution has very little faith in the very people that contribute to its beliefs. The very people who make up the church.....500,000 faithful who could "walk" at any time.....and still be the church. Although the Catholic Buildings would all be empty, the church will still stand. |
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The people that make up the church, do so, based on their faith and strong religious convictions. They do it without doubt.....they do it because they believe. In a civil society we have no "Conviction" when there is doubt. The Catholic Church and the Albany Diocese is leaving to much "Doubt" to not only their efforts, but their handling of this whole matter. Its time to just "listen to what you teach" and follow the very words of God "I am the way, the truth and the life. The Albany Diocese needs to set an example, one in which I seriously think all Christians would be proud of, forgiving and most of all, relieved with understanding. Show us the way, let the truth be known, it is the only way the church will restore not only faith in its flock, but also restore life. Life to a church and institution, that at this point in time.... could surely use. |
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Its time for the church to test its faith in the very people they taught, its time for the church, rather than the people to "allow" forgiveness, with honesty and duty to the public and civil laws of this country and State, that allows its very presence. You as a Religious Organization demand "separation of state" yet mock the very laws that govern the people who make up the state. For the church to believe or insist that they can and should handle all cases of sexual abuse, basically Identifies that act in its institution as something of a religious rite. Yielding to some authority of the church and respecting its laws, I could see if maybe the claim of abuse was within its clergy, or ministry whereas the victim was one of the aforementioned, but we are talking about sexual abuse of innocent children of our civil society. God sacrificed his only son for the sake of others, its time for the Church to make sacrifices for all of our sake. It would be nice if this letter was about Bible study, but its about Horrible sexual acts done to children. Is this what the church wants people to identify it with? |
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Its also time for the church to take a hard look at its self and its purpose, How can you continue to teach the word of God, or grow. How can you continue to help the less fortunate, how can you continue to maintain the wonderful ornate structures of worship, how can the church show us the way, teach the truth, and put God in our lives when all of its resources and offerings are being used to pay huge settlements and claims for sexual abuse.....all of which will eventually lead to a time, when there will be no Catholic Church. Isn't it enough that people are leaving in countless numbers already, isn't it enough that the church has to close Schools, isn't it enough that the church has to pay huge premiums on there insurance due to all the claims, isn't it enough...isn't it just ENOUGH. |
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Criminals are criminals, no matter what....crime has no religion, and although the church can minister to criminals, the church should not attempt to harbor, be judge, jury and executioner. Leave that to the civil courts.....the church needs to act now, and do what is right. Society is corrupt enough, if the church is corrupt, who are people going to turn to?..... |
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One last point I would like to make, that I haven't seen discussed anywhere involves the Clergy itself. |
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How do the Priests that live a Godly life, currently going through the process of ordination...devoted and secure in thier commitment to God, the word and the people, feel about the Clergy that commit these crimes. Don't you owe something to them as well? When was the last time you saw a Priest in Collar (Clericals) at the local grocery store? I feel so sorry for them, to have to go around in shame for what others have done, to have to carry that burden, through no fault of thier own. " oh look mommy" a priest...."stay here son, don't go near him" |
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I know that sounds harsh, but it is not far from the truth.... |
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Church turns over Pedophile priest to authorities..... |
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Church moves Pedophile Priest to undisclosed Parish.... |
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Which Headline sounds more comforting? |
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The one that shows, accountibility and the possiblity for repentence and therapy... |
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or the one that shows absolutely, no regard for the public and leaves Doubt....... |
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Its really a no brainer.....Your thirty years of "hiding" the truth has hurt the Church very much and you wonder why the public Doesn't trust what is told to them......The Priest that molested me, Is still serving the Catholic Church in an Official Capacity. Take away all doubt and do what is right. |
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M. Murphy, A survivor as well |
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Alterboys.net |
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Comments are welcome |
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This article does not express the opinion of anyone else other than myself. If the information needs clarification, I invite the church to do so, by emailing me at Alterboys.net |
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Survivor of Clergy (Church) Abuse |