This post has been copied cc: to (among others) His Eminence Cardinal Jose Policarpo of Lisbon His Grace Archbishop Filipe Neri FERRAO of Goa and bcc: to my very good friend His Grace Archbishop Patrick Pinder of The Bahamas
re: the Issue of the Priest in Ribandar Goa accused of molesting a young girl "during confession". Professor George Pinto (California) wrote: d: I believe Aires (Rodrigues) wrote at least once there are other cases of sexual abuse by the clergy in Goa. I had written to the Archdiocese twice and did not get a response. Is there a formal study done in Goa regarding this issue? e: When the Church sex abuse scandal first broke in the USA, innocent priests were walking around "convicted by association" simply by being a priest. f: It is not fair to the priests or the victims. I am hoping there is formal investigation and study in Goa and the findings made public. The laity have a right to know if the problem is pervasive or isolated or non-existent. Dr. Gilbert Lawrence (New York) wrote: a: I am analyzing your posts on its merits. Both your posts on this thread and others on Goa's Catholic Church have very little factual information. There's another guy across the Atlantic who does the same. b: While you are quoting the case in California, I can forward you the story in our newspaper, where the priest was vindicated. Now where does he go to recoup his honor? c: I would suggest (and hope you'd agree) that the Goa church should embark on education courses for priests (and nuns too) on sexual harassment. This does not mean there is a problem. But it can prevent one. ===== jc response My dear Gilbert ani George, First of all ....good wishes to you ani all amche Goans for 2005. You both have made some very valid points. Please alow me to make the following observations:-> 1. Just because there is no (available) factual information of ABUSE, does not mean that there isn't any abuse. 2. Just because the Archdiocese has not replied to George's letter does not mean that the Archdiocese is hiding something. For all we know, the mail may not have been seen by the relevant folks. If the message is important, George may wish to send it again - and copy it to ALL the Goa related e-lists. 3. Just because the US-abuse story got prominence in the media, does not mean that Only the Catholic Church has abuse going within its organization. Let us firmly disabuse ourselves of this idea, if we are in possession of it. However, the Catholic Church in Goa cannot play OSTRICH (like the Goan Catholic Network and other Rt. Wing Catholic groups) and just believe that these accusations will go away. The Catholic Church MUST hold a preventive investigation (as George rightly advises) and hold on going training sessions (as Gilbert advises) not only for the clergy, but also for the faithful. Far too often, Catholic priests have been targeted. The Catholic Church will strongly benefit from using the lead of the Medical community - which strongly recommends that NO patient be examined or even counselled without the presence of a witness. Even Law Enforcement authorities are now being required to video-tape such sessions. The Church does not have to go that far - The presence of a witness is good enough. To protect the confidentiality of the discussion (or the confession), a safe distance or a sound proof glass partition will be adequate. You may wish to know that in my practice, I refuse to see female clients alone - whatever the circumstance. The time has come for us to ensure that we see ALL patients in the presence of a witness - taking the obvious care to maintain client privacy. I agree with George that "the laity have a right to know". I hope this LAITY also knows its responsibilities. The priests are not slaves to be used and abused by the "laity". The laity have responsibilities too. I sincerely hope that they do their part. And that part is not complete by merely attending Mass on Sundays or perhaps at the Hatch, Match and Dispatch (Baptism, Wedding and Funeral) services. We should also disabuse ourselves of this notion (as articulated recently) that the laity PAYS the priests for Masses. By the way, It's really time for the Laity which has Rights, to know its Obligations to contribute TOTALLY towards the costs of running the Church. Having read the repeated posts from Aires Rodrigues on the issue of the Priest from Ribandar Goa who is accused of having molested a Young girl during what was supposed to be a Confession, I'd say the following: 1. Aires (a lawyer) has already Tried and Crucified this priest in the court of Internet. Does the principle of Innocent unless proven guilty apply in India? 2. The Goa Church has kept awfully quiet in this matter. When will it speak up, and protect this priest from the Aires attacks, or hold an investigation and do the needful. 3. May I suggest that THIS is NOT the type of case which has caused problems in the US. This (if it actually happened) is a case of human failings. Something which ALL of us can fall victim to - even the good Bill Clinton fell victim to it. This is also the type of case which can be prevented by the policy of "Refusing to see clients alone". 4. This case (if it happened) is a case which needs to be referred for counselling. Finally, I ask the same question that Gilbert Lawrence asks: Where does a wrongly accused priest, doctor or university professor go, to recoup his/her good name? good wishes to all jose colaco Did not see comments on this story from the anti-Catholic types of this world on the following story http://www.colaco.net/3/priestcleared.htm when you good people have some time, please do read the following from Ema and me http://www.colaco.net/3/church-lurch.htm
