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American Chronicle - Jul 19, 2007
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=32565

Religious Pedophiles Go Free

By Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM

Religion can mean differing things to different people, but two common
threads appear to be key factors. The role religion has in any
individuals life supposed to help them to feel better about themselves
or perhaps more empowered than going it alone. Secondly, religion uses
the fear factor in helping to keep people in line. Regardless of what
people say, fear about not getting into heaven, fear about going to
hell, fear about not meeting up with 40 virgins, or whatever ones
religion is about in the end can and does modify how one acts or reacts
to a variety of situations that life dolls out.

I am not a religious person, but feel compelled to speak out about the
recent settlement that I regard as payoffs or hush monies by the
Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church and their insurers in Los
Angeles, California to hundreds of persons who have suffered sexual
abuse at the hands of those entrusted with providing moral and ethical
instruction in the name of religion. These priests preyed upon young
unsuspecting children and imposed their sexual deviations upon them and
remain free to continue to do so. If these priests had not the benefit
of hiding behind their religions they would be in jail locked far away
from the impressionable minds they have abused with their sexual
misdoings.

On July 15, 2007 the AP reported via Fox News that the Roman Catholic
Diocese in Los Angeles, California had come to a settlement for the 508
cases against their priests in their most recent sexual abuse scandal.
The amount of the settlement was touted to be the highest ever at $660
million dollars. Some 40% of that settlement will go to pay the
attorneys fees. This is not the first of such settlements and most
likely will not be the last. Part of this settlement is that the Roman
Catholic Church is supposed to hand over documents from their priests
that many are hopeful may provide insight or information about possible
cover-ups for these abusive priests.

The Archdiocese in Orange County, California paid out $100 Million
dollars for sex abuse allegations in 2004. In December of 2006 the Los
Angeles Archdiocese paid $60 Million Dollars to 45 people with claims
against their priests for sexual abuse. Many of these persons coming
forward in these and other abuse cases date back to 1950. Since 1950
the Roman Catholic Church has paid out more than $2 Billion dollars to
quiet the discontent and smooth over those persons who have been abused
by their priests. Nearly 25% of that $2 Billion dollars has come from
Los Angeles, California.

The judge has also opened the door to possible punitive damages for the
plaintiffs in these cases which could also prove to be costly for the
Roman Catholic Church.

Five Roman Catholic Church's have filed for bankruptcy protection in
order that they might circumvent the system. Those five are; Tuscan,
AZ: Spokane, WA: Portland, OR: Davenport, IA: and San Diego, CA. In my
opinion this does not negate their culpability in such cases.

>From the web site www.answers.com I provide the following definition
for sexual abuse;

sexual abuse

n.

1.The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another, as
by the use of threats or coercion.

2.Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an
adult and a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.

Sexual abuse can manifest itself in many ways. Some of the symptoms of
such are listed below.

1. depression

2. suicidal

3. avoidance of all things sexual

4. sleep disorders or nightmares

5. seductiveness

6. refusal to go to church or school

7. aggressive behavior, conduct problems, or delinquency

Many of the people who have been sexually abused wear those scars for
life. The people responsible for abusing these children should be
punished and never allowed near children for the remainder of their
lives. The monies garnered from these cases do not begin to mitigate
the damages these priests have done on those lives they sexually
abused. I sincerely hope that I am not the only one who smells a lot of
hypocrisy in religious institutions and the double standards they set
for their religious leaders.

[Michelle Malsbury holds a BSBM and MM in Business Management. She is in
the process of working towards her doctorate. Michelle is a lifelong
learner who's passions lean toward politics, world peace, the
environment, and about becoming energy independent. For more
information about Michelle please visit her web site at
http://www.MichelleMalsbury.com ]

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