Proving that the Roman Catholic Church plays dirty every single time, this amazing article appeared in the New York Times last week. The NYT does a very good job of covering sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and the many betrayals perpetrated by this institution.

Father Michael Guidry of St. Peter Catholic Church in Morrow, LA, confessed to sexually assaulting the son of one of the church’s deacons. He was sentenced to a seven year prison sentence. In March 2021, the family obtained a monetary settlement for an undisclosed amount against the priest and the Diocese of Lafayette.

The family was then shunned by the god-fearing parishioners. Eventually the deacon (the boy’s father) resigned his position with the church. Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel wished him well and added that sacramentally, he would remain a deacon. Three months later, Bishop Deshotel wrote the deacon to inform him he had been excommunicated, the church’s highest censure.

“I am aware that your family has suffered a trauma, but the answer does not lie in leaving the Most Holy Eucharist,” the bishop wrote. Apparently the dirty church attorneys could not save Fr. Guidry or the diocese from liability in this case, so the good bishop got his digs in with the excommunication/voodoo play.

What an institution.

From a reader:

So many of us who were just kids in 1977 agree with you Cathy and I know those who were adults in 1977 especially our parents, whether still alive or gone now ( as so many are) would be so angry to think there was any hesitation on the part of authorities to see justice served. This must be such a difficult time of year for your family Cathy. March 22 1977 is burned in my memory. I think our parents were part of a generation that trusted police and authorities to always do the right thing. They would never have dreamed such corruption existed – my parents generation were tough and strong in many ways but also more naive when it came to police and authority figures. I know my parents Aunts and Uncles were in a bit of shock that this could happen SO close to home and they really had no idea what to do or that they should even question law enforcement at that time. Although they felt such empathy for your family. I think today they would be furious at the delays and the excuses.
I do want to say. Tim was a beautiful child as were Mark, Jill and Kristine. I will never forget them.

See, https://catherinebroad.blog/2024/03/24/gaslighting-and-vindictiveness/

Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey youth wrestling coach and former state champion who made headlines for becoming the NCAA’s first openly gay college wrestler has been sentenced to prison.
— Read on https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/new-jersey-youth-wrestling-coach-sentenced-to-more-than-7-years-in-child-sex-abuse-images-case/