Randal Martin on the CAM/Jeriah Debacle

[steve-in-kville]

Articles like that are hard to read, not because of what was committed but how people rally around a known perpetrator. Its a kick in the face to both the victims and their families.

[Soloist]

Articles like that are hard to read, not because of what was committed but how people rally around a known perpetrator. Its a kick in the face to both the victims and their families.

I would agree, but I think one needs to be careful to avoid assuming everyone is like this.

I don't assume all catholic priests are abusers...

I don't assume all Amish/Mennonites cover up sin.

I personally know of two cases were there was zero attempt to cover it up. The problem though is that while well intended, sometimes the impact to the victim isn't always understood well. The victim I'm thinking of, felt blamed even though I doubt anyone ever told them that. The guilt of speaking up and causing someone to go to prison... They won't see that person again for 27 years and the impact to the church damaged many ties without meaning to.

None of this justifies the sin, and while the response might have been appropriate, there is still fallout.

[steve-in-kville]

I would agree, but I think one needs to be careful to avoid assuming everyone is like this.

I don't assume all catholic priests are abusers...

I don't assume all Amish/Mennonites cover up sin.

Yeah, I have to remind myself of that sometimes.

One thing we learned in our situation is that everyone is a victim, and yes even the perpetrator in a sense. I tried extra hard to be supportive of my daughter when a lot of other people made her out to be the "bad guy." I keep having tom remind her she did the right thing by speaking up. She still suffered emotionally from that.

[RZehr]

Good for both you and Tom.

[Ken]

Articles like that are hard to read, not because of what was committed but how people rally around a known perpetrator. Its a kick in the face to both the victims and their families.

"Rally around" is actually just a euphemism for "Criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice" and "accessory after the fact." Which are crimes in every state in the country.

Yes, not every Catholic or Mennonite is guilty of this sort of thing. Clearly not. But those who are complicit are actual criminals, whether they have been charged or not.

[steve-in-kville]

Good for both you and Tom.

I had no idea who your were referring to. Then I re-read my post....

[Ernie]

Articles like that are hard to read, not because of what was committed but how people rally around a known perpetrator. Its a kick in the face to both the victims and their families.

Yes, I felt sick the evening I read that blog post. I went and got Harold Herr's book and burnt it.

[Aurien]

I would agree, but I think one needs to be careful to avoid assuming everyone is like this.

I don't assume all catholic priests are abusers...

I don't assume all Amish/Mennonites cover up sin.

Yeah, I have to remind myself of that sometimes.

One thing we learned in our situation is that everyone is a victim, and yes even the perpetrator in a sense. I tried extra hard to be supportive of my daughter when a lot of other people made her out to be the "bad guy." I keep having tom remind her she did the right thing by speaking up. She still suffered emotionally from that.

It makes me angry to read that some people made your daughter out to be the "bad guy." I had that experience too. Thank you for reminding your daughter that she did the right thing by speaking up.

[steve-in-kville]

It makes me angry to read that some people made your daughter out to be the "bad guy." I had that experience too. Thank you for reminding your daughter that she did the right thing by speaking up.

Its not fun to get a call from her school guidance counselor telling me my daughter is having suicidal thoughts because her grandmother blamed her for "tearing the family apart."

Not cool.

[Aurien]

It makes me angry to read that some people made your daughter out to be the "bad guy." I had that experience too. Thank you for reminding your daughter that she did the right thing by speaking up.

Its not fun to get a call from her school guidance counselor telling me my daughter is having suicidal thoughts because her grandmother blamed her for "tearing the family apart."

Not cool.

I know what it's like to be blamed by family members, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that with your daughter. I hope she's doing ok now.