Have Catholics had enough yet?

Catholics have been sickened by ongoing revelations of the sexual abuse scandal in our Archdiocese and beyond; we've learned that this kind of abuse causes more emotional pain than most people could ever envision.

The recent situation at St. Mark Church in Chicago provides more evidence. How is it in our own Archdiocese that our shepherd remains quiet for six months before telling parishioners that there is credible evidence against one of their priests? How is it that our shepherd in speaking to his brother bishops at a Baltimore meeting tells them to "move beyond the clergy abuse scandals of the past, and look to build unity within the church?" This statement screams either a new level of naiveté or a total lack of sensitivity and compassion.

Catholics are still reeling from the aftershock of the clerical abuse scandal and now we are to be united?

We already know the hierarchy is united while the flock is left to be vilified, terrified or threatened by an insensitive leadership who only demonstrate self concern.

Catholic silence and apathy continues this tyranny! Where is justice being served when the church withholds crucial information for six months to a faith community that has a credibly accused perpetrator? Where is justice when predators are left in ministry to abuse again or are invited to reside at the Cardinal's mansion? Where is the moral responsibility when all responsibility is deflected elsewhere so that Church leadership remains untarnished?

I can't help but ask myself why justice is preached from the pulpit while few if any attempts to rectify wrongs continue. When our shepherd spends more time protecting the guilty than the innocent, we are in a sorry state. Unity is never possible when justice is absent.

Janet W. Hauter

South Barrington