OH- Nephew of murdered nun speaks about priest's funeral

For immediate release: Thursday, July 10, 2014

Statement Lee Pahl, nephew of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl, who was murdered by Fr. Gerald Robinson

I don't understand why the Catholic Church covered up Sister Margaret Ann's murder in 1980. I don't understand why the Catholic Church has covered up thousands of sexual abuse cases by priests and others. I don't understand why the Catholic Church would not defrock a priest convicted of murder or why they would give him an honorary funeral.

What I do understand is that God tells us that if we don't forgive we can't be forgiven. Shortly after Sister Margaret Ann's funeral, my family publicly forgave the murderer even though they didn't know who had done it.

What I also understand is that Fr. Robinson's real judgment has now taken place. If he did not repent for his sins we know he will be spending eternity in a worse place than the prison that has held him for the past 8 years.

(NOTE - Earlier this week, the Boston-based Voice of the Faithful wrote to Father Charles Ritter, the “administrator” or temporary head of the Toledo diocese, criticizing funeral plans for Fr. Gerald Robinson, who was convicted of murdering Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl. So too has NSAC, the National Survivors Advocate Coalition, and SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.)

(For a copy of VOTF's letter, contact Donna B. Doucette, Executive Director,1-781-559-3360, [email protected]. A copy of the SNAP/NSAC letter is available at SNAPnetwork.org) 

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Groups-oppose-Mass-for-priest-convicted-of-murder-5604170.php 

Fr. Robinson's funeral is tomorrow. 

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 25 years and have more than 18,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org) 

For more information: Claudia Vercellotti of Toledo 419 345 9291,[email protected], David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell,[email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747,[email protected])