NY Bishop Rape Shames Abuse Victims: Boys Are ‘Culpable’ For Their Actions At 7 Years Old

[KamaAina]

http://churchandstate.org.uk/2015/09/ny-bishop-rape-shames-abuse-victims/

Bishop Robert Cunningham of the diocese of Syracuse, NY doesn’t think priests should take all of the blame for decades, if not centuries, of sexual abuse against young boys. According to Cunningham, the “age of reason” in the Catholic church is seven, so those boys are culpable for their actions.

The shocking statement came during testimony that was recently released from a deposition for a federal lawsuit. Charles Bailey, a survivor of a priest’s abuse, asked then-Bishop James Moynihan whether the church held children victims partly responsible for sexual abuse from priests . “(Bishop) Moynihan said that right to my face – ‘The age of reason is 7, so if you’re at least 7 you’re culpable for your actions.’ That kind of floored me,” said Bailey.

Obviously, the sentiment isn’t something one Bishop believes, but a broader excuse used to cover for the guilt of sexual predators.

The “age of reason” may be seven years old, but that in no way makes it the “age it’s the kid’s fault he was raped.” According to church doctrine, seven is the age a child should understand the difference between right and wrong. It’s also the age a child is eligible for communion.

[dragonfly301]

1. and this is why I left the cult -eom

[closeupready]

7. +1. Also, it sheds an interesting light on Sinead O'Connor's

infamous act during her SNL performance back in the 90's.

That is, maybe now we kind of know what she was trying to say.

[Throckmorton]

16. Me too.

The 7 year old was seducing me meme. Tax the churches. Now.

[boston bean]

2. Sicko. Needs to go to prison.

[Major Nikon]

4. Now if only everyone who blames children for their own rape were so judged...

“I have been informed that the complainant is emotionally unstable with a tendency to seek out older men and engage in fantasizing,” Clinton, then named Hillary D. Rodham, wrote in the affidavit. “I have also been informed that she has in the past made false accusations about persons, claiming they had attacked her body. Also that she exhibits an unusual stubbornness and temper when she does not get her way.”

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/20/exclusive-hillary-clinton-took-me-through-hell-rape-victim-says.html

[longship]

8. Did she also say, "She's a witch!!!"

The only thing left is, "The complainant turned me into a newt! ... I got better."

No satire or agreement here. Just an appropriate response from just about any perspective. However, the extent that somebody would take such a position is the extent that the person HAS NO SOUL!

Just saying.

[Major Nikon]

9. No, but she did just basically say the child was asking for it

I just think it's very telling how the HRC fan base is strangely silent on this bit of history. If they say anything at all it's usually something along the lines of how she was just doing her job as a lawyer, which doesn't seem like much of an excuse for such morally reprehensible victim blaming, but even if it were the same would seem to apply to an agent of the RCC defending the RCC.

If nothing else it's a good case study on how the double standard works.

[The Second Stone]

23. Alerting would be insufficient on the venomous libel you

just inflicted. It's time you got banned.

[Major Nikon]

25. Libel does not mean what you think it means

“I have been informed that the complainant is emotionally unstable with a tendency to seek out older men and engage in fantasizing,” Clinton, then named Hillary D. Rodham, wrote in the affidavit. “I have also been informed that she has in the past made false accusations about persons, claiming they had attacked her body. Also that she exhibits an unusual stubbornness and temper when she does not get her way.”

[The Second Stone]

31. I practice defamation law, I won't be taking lessons from someone

who recklessly flings insults to damage people's reputations. That's the nasty kind of socialist.

[Major Nikon]

32. I think you need more practice

I have a red phone directly to the almighty and He isn't convinced of your flagrantly laughable allegations of libel either.

[The Second Stone]

33. Your red phone is to the red guy with the pitchfork

and he thinks you are entitled to your opinion.

[Major Nikon]

34. He's on there too as is the pope

It's like a big party line.

[Lordquinton]

14. Apparently Nikon hit a sore spot

Claiming that the child seduced the adult is not OK in any context.

[Major Nikon]

26. Any dose of reality about the anointed one seems to do that

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027644958#post23

[1939]

29. I don't support Hillary Clinton

but this is what defense lawyers do in our legal system. They muddle, confuse, and obstruct the prosecution if they have a guilty client. If their client is accused of rape, they attack the credibility ogf the main prosecution witness which is usually the victim.

[Major Nikon]

30. I understand others do it

The question is whether or not it's ethical. Contributory negligence is a defense often used in tort cases, but the use of it in criminal cases is actually pretty controversial even among lawyers and was so even back in in the 70's. This is not what all defense lawyers who represent alleged rapists do in our legal system, even with adult victims, much less children. There is simply no reality I can imagine where contributory negligence is any sort of an ethical defense when a 12 yr old has been raped. Furthermore if the "I was just doing my job" excuse were actually valid, then it would also have to apply to an agent of the church defending the church. Either both of those things are wrong, or they are both right. I'm of the opinion that they are both wrong.

[Solly Mack]

3. I can't help but wonder how many kids Cunningham has raped.

No doubt he would see it as the child seducing him into sin.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. But any criticism of this organization here is met with shouts of outrage and cries of love for the

all male clergy.

[trotsky]

15. There are many who attempt to deflect in a very dishonest way.

Namely, that critics of the church's (in)action won't acknowledge pedophilia in other groups of people. But the dishonest part is, I'm not aware of anyone who denies that pedophilia exists in all segments of the population. The thing that's being criticized when it comes to the RCC are aspects such as the one in the OP. That's fucking unique - BLAMING the child? What's also unique is setting up a system that covers up the crimes, shuffles the criminals to new locations with fresh victims, and not doing a damn thing to protect children.

Thankfully one of the most tireless defenders of the RCC here is on a 5-hide vacation for several more weeks.

[That Guy 888]

6. Link to change.org petition to Pope Francis asking for his removal.

https://www.change.org/p/pope-francis-remove-bishop-of-syracuse-for-his-callous-attitude-towards-priest-sex-abuse-victims?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=402060&alert_id=VZOiZhyBwC_QKbOCigIqylQN3AW8MTdov1gj7PnQ2UvYFbt4faO%2BiU%3D

[bklyncowgirl]

36. As a lapsed Catholic I signed it gladly.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. Ah, more moral clarity from the Vatican

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. Ugh

[prayin4rain]

12. Disgusting, disgusting pig. n/t

[Nye Bevan]

13. "The altar-boy led me on!"

[BlueSpot]

17. At what age does a priest become culpable? n/t

[Orrex]

18. As always, The Onion foresaw this, way back in 2002

Pope Forgives Molested Children

[kairos12]

19. Disgusting person.

[Monk06]

20. Those seven year old boys and their flirty ways

Reminds me of the judge that called a three year old girl a seductress

Just saying that shit should put you in jail

[rockfordfile]

21. One sick religous pos

[Nevernose]

22. FYI, that's legal doctrine in most states

Technically, whoever is responsible for a child under seven commits whatever crime the child commits (although I've never seen anyone prosecuted for it).

(Not defending pedophiles and their enablers, just making small talk)

[xenoturkey]

24. Disgusting. (n/t)

[PoliticAverse]

27. _Spotlight_ just won the best picture Oscar, he should go see it. n/t

[randys1]

28. Religion is problematic, Catholic Church is a crime.

[Initech]

35. How the fuck does this church still have members?

I mean seriously. This is almost the Catholic equivalent of a "let them eat cake moment".