(AUDIO read by author) This final post details concrete reform recommendations for laity to regain relevancy in their advisory roles in this diocese. Long-time Buffalo-area advisors working for their FIFTH or SIXTH bishop are not appropriate for this task, as demonstrated throughout this series. Included is a practical action guide for laity to get involved in the battle for the soul of our diocese.
(AUDIO read by author) Sexually abusive clergy and their abuse-facilitators in chancery offices operate off principles. Throughout this series, we saw their chief principle in action: Keeping a lid on the exchange of information and squashing dissent at every opportunity. We laity have principles we work off of too. In this post we look at ten guiding principles foundational to any diocesan reform recommendations.
(AUDIO read by author) We explore indications that the Diocese of Buffalo, over the course of many years, groomed a tight-knit circle of lay advisors in a system that effectively compromised their objectivity. Lose that, and you can easily get duped.
(AUDIO read by author) To combat the clergy sexual abuse crisis, it is not enough to address the abusers. We have to change the look-the-other-way culture that allowed the abusers to flourish. We examine more dark corners of the diocese to watch how this enabling culture plays out and what laity can do to root it out.
(AUDIO read by author) If we do not have faith in the integrity of people within the system, how can we have faith in the system itself and what it produces? Transformation of diocesan culture begins with a personal gut-check of every individual who agrees to the enormous responsibility he or she assumes on behalf of innocent souls. Holding diocesan officials accountable is not optional. It is a responsibility we have to the innocent and most vulnerable.
(AUDIO read by author) This six-part series walks you through dark corners of the Diocese of Buffalo in which we explored areas of moral depravity laced with chilling aloofness and missed opportunities as we examine the the intersection of laity with the clergy sexual abuse crisis. To fix this system, we have to fix the culture that created the crisis. Laity can play a significant role in doing that.
(AUDIO read by author) This 6-part series explores the dark corners of this diocese in how it handles the clergy sexual abuse crisis. There really is much we laity can do to help create lasting reform. It starts with conversion. We may not be able to fix the clergy in the hierarchy, but we laity can certainly change the way laity operate, particularly the way laity represent us and our needs in this diocese.
If that’s the case, why is Rev. Ryszard Biernat—who blew open secrecy surrounding criminal/immoral behaviors of diocesan officials—the one to have his priestly faculties/ministry removed? Why hasn’t Bishop Scharfenberger reinstated this courageous priest who really does believe: “Criminality is not entitled to secrecy.” This post outlines why the wrong chancery officials were stripped of their canonical duties and faculties and jobs and titles in the Diocese of Buffalo.
A note to Bishop Scharfenberger: Rev. Ryszard Biernat should be restored to full and active ministry as the gospel would compel in this situation. Had you taken the time to speak with the dedicated laity protesting outside your office on Mondays when you were in Buffalo, you would have been presented with a different point… Continue reading Unjust penalty for Whistleblower–Does Bishop Scharfenberger even know the details of this heartbreaking case?
Fr. Ryszard Biernat's spiritual lobotomy ordered by Most Rev. Richard Malone has already commenced, but hey, we have school Christmas pageants to attend and another candle on the Advent wreath to light. This asylum needs an epic overhaul. It starts with utilizing people who have a sense of basic humanity.
