Silence is Golden or Is It When it Comes to Catholic Church Scandals?

Whether it is the current Priest Abuse Scandal, or the other centuries old Scandal, of the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church in omitting the truth of Women Priests History, in our early Church, they literally used Silence as their own vehicle to continue to perpetrate both cover up and lies to the Laity.

The hierarchy under this veil of silence had free rein to do whatever they wanted in the absence of absolutely no type of checks and balances, in lieu of not being confronted or questioned. Who knew, that same silence enabled their habitual moving of priests offenders to other parishes.

These offending Bishop’s moved these priests around like they were simply figures on a Chess Board with no regard of the heinous acts they had performed. I will personally never understand their callous blatant disregard in allowing this behavior to continue on by looking the other way on this. For the issue of Women’s Religious roles in our Church History, the hierarchy employed non- disclosure to the Laity in the form of outright lies to them. When you cannot see what formerly was there, then there is no need to ever question that something.

The Facts… and Nothing But the Facts

But it is a whole other scenario, to actually know the facts of an issue and still do nothing and become a part of that silence. There recently was an eye opening article in the Buffalo News, spelling out the complete complicity of the Catholic Church on Priest Sex Abuse. The article basically mentioned an agreement between the Bishop and the Police. The offending priest after being taken to a police department was let go.

After the police called the Bishop, this priest was then picked up by another priest. Thus, there is no accountability for offending priest actions, just the same old, same old continuing cover up resuming once again. Yet, why is it that, the former pray and obey mentality, is still so entrenched in every day Catholics today? Even in lieu of the previous two examples of cover up that same deafening silence from the Laity, continues to be more pervasive than ever.

Where is the Spotlight

At a time when the spotlight literally is shining light on deceit and deception, the other spotlight is not shining any light, rather only darkness. Its voice of accountability is nowhere to be found, its voice of any conscience is completely missing. Might it be, that behind the ever silent voice of the Laity, one doesn’t have to worry about rocking the so called boat. Silence provides the safety of not offending anyone or anything.

Where has this golden silence got the institutional Church to? Our hierarchy is operating out of a Ministry of betrayal and deception. While, Catholics after so many years of silence have seemingly lost their own ability to speak out against their Church’s Ministry which in no way reflects Jesus’ Ministry. These Catholics need to both remember and follow Jesus’ own actions, which included not remaining silent when he saw the religious figures of his day, not doing what they should do.

Just as Jesus was vocal, Catholics today, need to be vocal and as well hold their hierarchy accountable for what they are doing which in no way mirrors Jesus’ own ministry. Secrecy, cover up and lies were certainly not a part of Jesus’ Ministry. So then, why today, are we allowing them to be a part of our hierarchy’s Ministry to the Catholic Laity, world-wide?