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"When anyone steps out of the system and tells the truth, lives the truth, that person enables everyone else to peer behind the curtain too. That person has shown everyone that it is possible to live within the truth . . . ‘Living within the lie can constitute the system only if it is universal.’ Anyone who steps out of line therefore ‘denies it in principle and threatens it in its entirety.’"
~Vaclav Havel
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Above Artwork by Debra Classen.
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It is important for all of us - and Church leaders - to give voice to victims/survivors and their loved ones.
We have worked with so many victims/survivors, their parents, siblings, spouses, and loved ones, who want to share their story. It takes courage to give voice to the pain, continue their healing, and advocate for change. US Church Insiders Who Have Blown the Whistle on Alleged Child Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up
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Church whistle-blowers join forces on abuse
Laurie Goodstein of the New York Times
Laurie Goodstein of the New York Times
Statement from Catholic Whistleblowers on Quote from Canon Law
In the past, many people have feared that speaking out about corruption in the Church was a form of disloyalty. But that is the result of a backward understanding of what is the Church. The Church is the People of God, and it is the People of God who have been raped by corrupt employees. That is why it is essential for us to speak out against all forms of abuse.
In fact, the Church’s Code of Canon Law, in Canon 212 on “The Obligations and Rights of All the Christian Faithful,” paragraph 3 states:
“In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they (the Christian Faithful) possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”
In other words, “blowing the whistle” on clergy who are molesting children and on bishops who are covering up for them is the duty and responsibility of all of us. We do so, not out of disloyalty, but out of love for the People of God.
The BishopAccountability.org website lists hundreds of whistleblowers throughout the country, all of whom have exercised their right and responsibility to protect the Church from predators.
In fact, the Church’s Code of Canon Law, in Canon 212 on “The Obligations and Rights of All the Christian Faithful,” paragraph 3 states:
“In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they (the Christian Faithful) possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”
In other words, “blowing the whistle” on clergy who are molesting children and on bishops who are covering up for them is the duty and responsibility of all of us. We do so, not out of disloyalty, but out of love for the People of God.
The BishopAccountability.org website lists hundreds of whistleblowers throughout the country, all of whom have exercised their right and responsibility to protect the Church from predators.
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