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The
Survivors Network
of those Abused by Priests
Opinions
& Editorials
Select essays from around the nation
Moral authority missing
By Boston Herald editorial staff
Friday, February 13, 2004
Hypocrisy, thy name is Dupre. Bishop Thomas L. Dupre to be exact.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield resigned
Wednesday, just a day after Springfield's leading newspaper submitted
questions to the diocese about allegations Dupre had sexually abused
two boys in the 1970s.
It's horrible that Dupre may have betrayed the trust of the boys
and their families as a parish priest 30 years ago. And it's even
worse that Dupre more recently has mishandled abuse allegations
against other diocesan priests - and has been roundly criticized
for protecting predators over victims.
But the gall of the man to have spent the past several weeks going
from parish to parish in Western Massachusetts to garner opposition
amongst the Catholic faithful to any recognition of gay relationships.
``When the family is sick, the nation suffers as well,'' Dupre told
a congregation in Hadley. Referring to the breakdown of the institution
of marriage, Dupre said, ``We have also experienced the disastrous
consequences on family life and on children.''
As opposed to the disastrous consequences of sexual abuse committed
by priests, Bishop?
Dupre sought approval of his resignation from the Vatican shortly
after a mother had come forward to accuse him of molesting her son,
according to The Republican.
To then have the audacity to use his moral authority as bishop to
tell Catholics where they should stand on gay unions is beyond the
pale.
The Catholic Church has every right to stand against gay marriage
and lobby for its point of view. Its cause, though, is immensely
harmed for being led by an alleged pedophile and pedophile-protector.
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