The Arch Nemesis Can't See The Forest For The Trees

What kind of priest seriously considers bankruptcy as a valid option to protect his diocese from having to pay damages in lawsuits because of unresolved child abuse cases that keep getting won in court by victims? Why; a Catholic priest, of course! Reverend John Nienstedt, Archnemesis of the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, truly feels that despite dozens of lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct of his priests, he "couldn't see the forest for the trees", and he refuses to resign.

Before this whole matter went public, the archbishop did not perceive any problems, despite the fact that his knowledge of Minneapolis priests was the same as it is now. This means that the real problem, as the reverend sees it, is that he is having to answer in court for the priests he failed to properly train, and that the matter is now known to the general public. Back when he enjoyed the luxury of private child abuse, Nienstedt had no problems.

This type of Christian church truly pushes limits. It seems that when Catholic priests are not busy telling victims of domestic violence to apologize to their abusers, they are telling victims of hate crimes that the violence is all their fault......after all, if the victim had never been Black, Spanish, female, disabled, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim, ect., the hate crime never would have been committed! Surely the victim should "take ownership" for being different in some way or other that offended the perpetrator! Merely obeying the laws and being upstanding is obviously not good enough; we must all work harder to make the bigots happy, so they don't lash out! Ain't that right, Reverend Patrick Sullivan? And it appears that those children should all work harder at not being children, because it's all their fault that they are vulnerable, and as long as that's the case, a priest is naturally expected to take advantage of vulnerability, rather than act like a decent human being. It's never the church or the priest's fault. If the perpetrator is politically or financially better off than the victim, it's always the victim's fault when abuse takes place.

Of course, another perspective would be that Archbishop John Nienstedt should be responsible and neuter his priests.

If I appear To Have Overlooked Something

If it seems to the reader that there are things I should include on this site, either in the form of posts, or as the subjects of pages or categories, don't despair. There are things occurring locally which have attracted my notice, but which, also, have not played out completely in their respective arenas at this point. From state legislation to open lawsuits, (Northeast Kansans really don't understand compliance with federal law) there are reasons for the timing of media coverage for certain events, and that includes websites such as this one. One does not use unripe fruit for jam, and vintage wine does not age in the blinking of an eye.

The Catholic Church Cracks Down On Nuns

Oh dear. The Catholic Church perceives that there is a serious problem with nuns in the Unites States! Those American nuns are failing to teach the youth to be submissive enough, and to be unquestioning to authority. But should we really be surprised? People who do not question authority and people who are overly submissive make the best victims. Judging by the nature of lawsuits filed against Catholic parishes over the past twenty years, both within the United States and in other countries, it appears that Christianity encourages and rewards those who are willing to become easy victims.

Here's an idea, Catholic Church: try cracking down on abusive and perverse priests who prey on children!

Very Smart School Board Decision

 

A Jackson County, Ohio middle school used to have a stupid looking, White-Jesus picture hanging from a railing on a staircase, until the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued the school on behalf of the more intelligent parents and students to take the offensive thing down. The superintendent of Jackson County Schools pointed out that the school insurance company refused to insure the school against lawsuits inspired by the subtle expression of a preference for one religion over another, so he removed it. That was very smart. It's too bad Northeast Kansas schools will not learn a lesson about lawsuits, insurance to cover damages won by parties with reasons to sue the occasional erring school, and the dumb shit fundamentalist Christian teachers and administrators often do to encourage lawsuits.

If that picture were to stay, there should be other pictures alongside it. Perhaps one like this: