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Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre?
Posted on Monday, October 25 @ 21:36:27 EDT by SweenyTod
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Anonymous writes "By Warren Mason
October 25, 2004
The recent indictment and subsequent dropping of child rape charges against Catholic Bishop Thomas Dupre certainly points to the inadequacy of Massachusetts laws to deal with such heinous offenses.
Just as troubling and perhaps more telling is the Catholic hierarchy’s ignorance as to the whereabouts of their not-so-good bishop and their apparent lack of concern for what he may still be doing.
This is a Catholic hierarchy that has come to understand the seriousness of child abuse only after being threatened with criminal action; a Catholic hierarchy that removes the pedophile from ministry, yet continues to harbor him in the name of safeguarding our youth; a Catholic hierarchy that continues to pay the abuser with parishioner’s funds and has the gall to call it charity.
Maybe I’ve been misinformed, but isn’t it charity when you reach into your own pocket and not someone else’s?
Where is the moral imperative we have every right to expect from our religious institutions? Where is the righteous anger they are so ready to unleash on others, but are seemingly unwilling to bring down on their own brethren?
Ask the hierarchy where Bishop Dupre is and you hear only silence. You begin to understand the obvious--These so called leaders have neither the will nor the moral sense to keep track of their coddled criminals.
Bishop Dupre resigned as leader of the Springfield diocese on February 11, 2004, only after being confronted by the Springfield Republican with credible accusations that he repeatedly raped two young boys over many years.
Jarringly, he phoned one of his alleged victims, and then took off for St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland, otherwise known as Pedophilia U., where he spent at least the next 7 months. From there on the trail runs cold.
The Massachusetts grand jury that convened to review the accusations against Dupre knew of the difficulty in prosecuting him, given the archaic Massachusetts laws governing the statutes of limitation for child abuse. Yet they still chose to indict him due to the overwhelming evidence, the heinous nature of his alleged crimes, and the hope that other states might be able to move forward with charges.
Within the Catholic cocoon, Dupre remains a Bishop in good standing, a prince of the Church, receiving all the benefits and privileges that come with that title. He is neither reviled nor disgraced.
Indeed he is listed on the Diocese website with the stately title of Bishop Emeritus, apparently awaiting word from the Vatican, on when he can join Cardinal Law, his old friend and unindicted co-conspirator, in Roman bliss.
Surely during the past 10 months the Diocese of Springfield must have done something to investigate this abuse? Surely Bishop Timothy McDonnell, Dupre’s successor must have felt moved to protect his flock from this potential danger and ongoing embarrassment?
In short, they’ve done nothing!
Apparently they are leaving it to the Vatican, which after only 500 hundred years of reflection, grudgingly recognized Galileo’s theory that the earth revolves around the sun.
"He has no canonical relationship with this diocese. Bishops are answerable only to the Holy See and the Pope." said Diocesan spokesman Mark Dupont in a Berkshire Eagle article, confirming that they have no idea where he is.
Why do I always picture Pilate washing his hands when I hear this kind of babble?
Funny how this same diocese claims a canonical relationship with all it’s abusive priests as an excuse for paying them, but claims no such relationship with their Bishop Emeritus, who they also continue to pay!
As always they use their inane Canon Law as if it was Silly Putty, molding it to fit their ever changing message.
"It's always disturbing when a dangerous man evades the law because of a technicality. It's even more disturbing when an allegedly celibate, trustworthy Catholic bishop, who has molested kids and enabled other clerics to molest kids is nowhere to be found," said David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Why worry? After all the Catholic hierarchy is looking out for our best interests!
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Warren Mason is a Massachusetts-based writer whose social commentary has appeared in numerous newspapers."
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Average Score: 4.51
Votes: 35
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 26 @ 12:34:58 EDT | Now this St. Lukes Institute [also lovingly refered to as Pedophilia United] has to have a track record of what goes in the door vs. what goes out the door.
Just what is the 'SUCCESS RATE' of the Institute? And what do they consider a success to graduate? Are all applicants a pedophile to start with or are some really in doubt and want to learn more about it. Are any PERPS cured, in remission, or picking up new skills from the group sessions. That's my guess. This could really be a school in disguise.
The Institute releases patients from time to time, but what actually is their release status once they're back on the street? Is pedophilia being re-enforced during their 'stay'; no change or questionable remission. My guess is the former.
No real data exists on their end product and I'm sure a lot of people wpould like to know how their money is being spent on these crucial therapy sessions. Is there a discount for the 'revolving door' process?
Does anyone out there know what's truly going on there at S.L.I.P.U.? We'd all like to know. And where do the graduates 'hang out' after their release? At local playgrounds? Hmmmm. |
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Friday, October 29 @ 04:56:11 EDT | | I'll repeat what I said yesterday. Popes and Bishops are not immune from terrible crimes or other actions. But God has blessed you with the Catholic faith. To leave the church and accept a protestant theology is a slap in the face to the Good God. Pray for the Bishop as you are required to do by church commandments, find another parish but for the sake of your soul do not give up your Catholic faith. |
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Friday, February 11 @ 23:39:36 EST | I am a practicing Catholic and my children go to Catholic schools. I am sickened by the scandle of these so called "priests". They make the Catholic church look like perverts. It is a shame and a sin that molesting children was seen as acceptable behavior. If a parent did that they would be in jail and rightly so. What makes these priests think they are above the law? They have gotten away with this for far to long.
Bishop Dupre should be held responsible for his actions too. This Statute of limitations is bull. I hope that the lawmakers can get rid of this loophole and bring to justice all who hurt our children. They shouldn't be able to destroy a life and be able to get away with it.
SHAME on the priests who had a role in any way of letting the abuse continue. I suggest you get on your knees and BEG GOD'S forgiveness and mercy. I know we are all sinners and I am not trying to represent myself as anything else, but I would NEVER hurt a child or anyone else. I teach my children to respect others and treat them as they want to be treated. I will continue to do so and bring my children to Mass because that IS what I believe in, but I do not tell my children they have to look up to priests just because they are priests. They are people too and there are good and bad in the priesthood.
I am a college graduate with a degree in Religious studies. Bishop Dupre was at my graduation. I remember feeling proud not only to have him there but to have him pose with me for a picture. I think back to that day and it makes me sick and so does he. I have no respect for a man who can do such things then hide behind a coller. |
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Thursday, October 28 @ 07:27:25 EDT | We need to take them down, now!
Templar357 |
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 1)
by SweenyTod (sweenytod at sweenytod.no.com.spam) on Wednesday, November 03 @ 07:01:07 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.sweenytod.com/ | This message was sent to me for publication:
Regarding where is the bishop Dupre, we suggest you look in the monasteries, where lots of 'em are being seemingly hidden, we think, like the founding bishop of the Knoxville, TN diocese, anthony o'connell, who seems to live a cushy life complete with his title, in a Trappist monastery in SC, since stepping down when some of his victims went public in 2002 just after the Globe broke the story of abuse, that is still not ALL told....
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 27 @ 02:44:12 EDT | Well said, Mr. Mason.
What I do not understand is how Catholic parents, after learning the disgusting truth about their bishops, are still willing to push their kids into RC religion classes. Why would any reasonably informed parent encourage their precious kids to bond with this institution? Why would any sane parent want their son or daughter to lstand in line on the front lawn of a church on confirmation day, posing for a photo with a pedophile shuffling or sympathizing bishop.?
We do not want our kids to be around these men. That's why our Catholic family has fled to the Lutheran Church. I encourage anyone with kids to get them away from this sickness.
It is not normal. It is not God's Will. It is not safe for your children or grandchildren. |
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Re: Where in the World is Bishop Thomas Dupre? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Thursday, October 28 @ 04:19:05 EDT | Warren Mason raises some justifiable questions on how the Catholic Church deals with its erring bishops, but he does so from the point of view of an anti-Catholic bigot that diminishes his credibility.
Within the frame of his piece, is there any reason other than mindless anti-Catholic rage that caused him to attack the Catholic Church's system of canon law ("inane Canon Law") and the Vatican itself ("Apparently they are leaving it to the Vatican, which after only 500 hundred years of reflection, grudgingly recognized Galileo’s theory that the earth revolves around the sun")?
Allan Wafkowski
NJ, USA |
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