Frontline investigates Catholic priest's sex crime cover up

I would like to make several comments, if I may.

I am deeply concerned about abuses throughout the USA. By the Catholic Church. I am not overly hostile to them, for "God is forgiving in all"! BUT...There again...the church clergy "swepts everything under the rug, when it is able to do so". And has done this tactic over and over again.

In New Mexico USA. They had a Arch Bishop of Santa Fe, who was in charge of all church related issues for ALL...of Northern half of New Mexico (1980's-1990's). This was Arch Bishop Sanchez, who eventually was "quitely sent to a church in Alaska"! He abused many children of the church. The church therafter (when he was caught) sent him approx. 50-65 mile NNW. from Albuquerque, NM. to hide him in a Catholic Monestary located in Jemez Springs, up in the mountains West of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, in Los Alamos. The Catholic Church took no direct action, for his homosexuality acts! But did look the other way, instead.

I am originally from Taos, NM. There has been many abuses there as well, during the post-war, preceeding World War II. I was a young boy then. Many nuns were impregnated in the Nuns Rectory, by preists. Many of the unborn babies they had, (since...nuns are not allowed children of their own)were found, right under the front porch steps, many years later-accidentally, but plumbers who were installing sewer lines, and running water to the building, the unorn babies were in shallow grave sites. The Arch Bishop Mac Quire was in charge of all of Taos County during the late 1940's and 1950ish years. If anyone is interested in what I know personally, and will soon write a book about this "senseless slask of unprofessional clerical power, which was intially brought to this country, from the old one, (Europe)please contact me. I am a dear friend. A Ex-Catholic, and my mother was also Ex-communicated from the church for "unproved heresay" by her sister-in-law gossiping to the all powerful Arch Bishop of Taos, NM. USA. County.

Anthony Vigil
vigilaw43@hotmail.com
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I had just returned from a 20 year abscence to Catholicism. As a Benedictine "monk in training" I was sexually harassed by a gay member of the community (he since was sent packing for various reasons) and another who was constantly wanting hugs and was I suspect aroused by this somehow. I left in much anger as the Abbot was not helping in fixing the problem. (I think he really didn't know what to do) About 3 years ago I returned to the church, and am once again a semi-practicing Catholic. (my son was just Baptized) Something I wonder about in all these abuse cases is the question of where God is in all this? It seems nobody really addresses this. I feel badly of course for those who were the victims of abuse. The church hierarchy has protected "their own" much too long. It is time that such issues be dealt with in the courts. I do now view the clergy as being any holier than are the laity. For so much of history it seems they were somehow "elevated" above the rest of us. Hopefully we have learned something from this past history. The laity must keep a close watch and the laws of our land must apply to clergy as well.

I live in phoenix AZ. i found this show by accident, being born and raised in the south shore area of Massachusetts. it brought back horrible memories. first i am not a catholic, but the show moved me to tears because it forced to to admit to myself, i am not at fault. I was molested from 1974 till 1977 by my high school gym teacher. I always wondered was it something i did? something i said? or was he just a sick man. and yes he is. / unfortunatly he is now the head coach of the school and if i come forward who would believe me? After 30 years, is it worth it to ruin a man and also the ruin it could do to myself? or should i come forward with the information i have to possibly stop him from harming other students? / My religion has kept me going in life. and i know myself GOD does not hate me for what was done to me but despises the person who committed the acts on me. / This show was not a case of catholic church bashing, not if it can move a non catholic to face the fears and hurt i went through, instead it just may helped me to realize i am not at fault. the fault is the person (not the school or church) who committed this terrible deed. / So everyone what would you suggest, keep quiet after all these years or come forward to possibly help others? tough decision, put yourself in my shoes and feel the shame/pain and hate i had for myself for years. / This was hard to write as i only told my mother 5 years ago and she told me "he is a well known teacher and well loved how could you say such a thing?" what do you do when even your parent doubts you? / kind of tough questions but any ideas are appreciated.

I just finished watching the program and while I had a positive experience in the Catholic Church I can certainly understand why Joe Cultera and his family feel the way they do. I think the Church must come clean about this situation, and in some cases they have. One need to look to the Diocese of Metuchen where Bishop Bootkowski has worked with SNAP and other groups to heal the wounds of the past. I feel very strongly that instead of bashing and abandoning the Church, we must work together ensure that this type of abuse and victimization never occurs again. I also do not agree that a married clergy is the answer, and by the way the Catholic Chruch does have a married clergy, just not in the Latin Rite.

Gee, Mike, I wonder if you would feel the same way if you or your children were being abused.

Well, several years ago Sinead O'Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope on SNL. O'Connor claimed that the gesture was in protest of the Pope's blind eye to the atrocities being committed within the Catholic Church. People chastised O'Connor for her actions, rather than acknowledging the real horror of these sickening crimes.

I don't think the article was Catholic bashing, and I'm a practicing Catholic. The fact is the church has handled these all-too-frequent situations very, very poorly, but I hope that's largely a thing of the past. In my opinion, not allowing priests to marry just sets the stage for more of these terrible situations.

The church has often stated there's a shortage of priests and of those who wish to become so. Allowing marriage would change that almost instantly, I think. A close friend of mine from grade school changed his path to the priesthood when he fell in love, married and had children. He would still make a good priest, even if he's a husband and father, in fact, probably a better priest.

Well said, jDub.

When you say "reconcile," do you mean "cover up?" Because some abusive priests are not being disciplined, but rather sent to new parishes or sent to "rehabilitation" camps to wait out the storm. There are certainly abusive members of the clergy in all faiths, but the Catholic Church has notoriously tried to discredit the victims and cover up the abuse. And it's news, even if it makes people who practice the faith uncomfortable. It's not "bashing," it's reporting.

great, thanks for the catholic bashing article of the day.

in an era where the church is trying to reconcile it's past, we parishoners are reminded of it everytime by those who don't practice the faith. Thanks! not.