Where's the Perp? Vol. 2 - St. John Neumann, Knoxville, TN

[momoramone]

i understand what you guys are trying to do and all, but I must agree about the pictures staying because of history. And this is simply my opinion. On the subject of labeling every picture to say child abuser I think it wrong, and this is why. After having publically confessed such a thing is that not humiliation enough? how would you like it if every photo of you was labeled with your worst sin? I agree that the situation is messed up, but Jesus Christ taught forgiveness did he not?

[snaptn]

You say you know what we are trying to do. We are trying to get the truth out to all of you who do not know it. Would you keep a picture of an uncle who molested your child hanging up in your house . . . for history? I hope not. Your child deserves more respect than that. Well, our victims of abusive priests in TN (and there aer more than you know) deserve more respect than the continued honoring of a molester Bishop. Forgiveness is one side of the coin; the other side is truth and justice.

[momoramone]

you want truth, he told us that he molested people.

you want justice? His authority as a bishop has been undermined not only in this diocese but in florida as well.

you want to talk about being respectful to victims? did you ever consider that you have only given these pictures the very attention that you don't want them to have by pointing out that they are there?

I mean no disrespect to your cause, but you should focus your energy on exposing those who supposedly still molest children.

[snaptn]

Wow, he told us he molested! Did he say dozens or "maybe one or two?" The truth is dozens. Justice? Wow, since when does losing you job as bishop pass for punishment? We certainly have a different standard for clergy than we have for anyone else. If you or I did what he did, we would be in jail. A cushy life at Mepkin Abbey? Terrible punishment!! As for keeping attention on the picture. . . focusing on injustice lets victims know that at least we "get it" even though the church doesn't.

[evenstar345]

ew!! get out of my church you creepy lady!

[Crystal1078]

I'm one of the Co Leaders for the Sacramento CA SNAP group & just so happen to come across this tonight & just wanted to say THANK YOU, your doing a great service to all survivors! Being a surivior of Clergy sexual abuse it helps knowing SOME others understand. THANK YOU!

[leftbehind81]

get a life.

[snaptn]

Usually people who say "get a life" are insensitive and unwilling to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

[survivorjake]

I want healing. I want to forget all the things that happened to me. I can't cause the church hasn't acknowledged its problem...IT hasn't healed. The church is spiritually and morally devoid in this regard. I am offened and hurt that my high school, Knox Catholic, chooses to keep pictures of this abuser as well.

[Boocherman]

Thomas Jefferson - slave owner

Lee Harvey Oswald - accused murderer or patsy?

Jim Baker - too much to list

Bill Clinton - adulterer?

All still have pictures in VERY public places... not harming anyone today. What is driving you woman? I saw you on the news the other night - self indulgence? Go away - maybe someone can heal... or do you keep all your wounds open?

[snaptn]

A church ought to be a better protector of children and teens. They see an abuser being honored in a public place; they believe that church protects the abusive adult. Very wicked message for them. Truth drives me, Boocherman, and the wishes of victims who want their voices heard.

[Boocherman]

PTS, a survivor according to his mother (ASA) seems to be doing well personally and professionally. Do you think he didn't tell his mother because he knew she wouldn't let it go? so he could begin healing? This is my last correspondence. I dont want to continue the attention that keeps wounds open. I hope the victims are allowed to heal in peace. If a public display offends enough people, they will quit going. Look in the mirror... right sister?

[hopechronicles]

These statements show that you are woefully lacking in information, sensitivity, and tact. Goodbye, Boocherman, and may you someday understand.

[Bdmbsdrt2]

Right Father! You tell 'em. The 7000 victims who say they haven't healed just need some more years of silence, and this sodomy and rape thing won't bother them anymore. Try talking to some victims why don't you? Oh God, that would be giving them some attention and we know as the body of Christ (church) we wouldn't want to do that. No, no, might seem compassionate and to like what Jesus would do. Let's continue the silence. It has worked so well.

[capnpcard]

boocher, how do you define "well" personally and professionally? do you really want the answers to your sybaritic ignorance? or do you relish in salting the wounds of others because it helps you deny or escape your own pain? speak up, don't go away, you and i need to have a talk.

[Joey0648]

Bishops and priests have special authority bestowed by their institutional hierarchy. When they sexually abuse they betray a special trust that does DEEPLY HARM survivors. Jefferson, Oswald, Baker, and Clinton were not ordained clergy. It puzzles me, as a survivor, and ordained clergy, why any sexual predator clergy be held in high esteem through any means. The church through masterful, cunning manipulations continue to DENY REALITY--such dysfunctionalism in the name, honor and glory of God!

[MJinET]

It's hard to believe the insensitivity being shown by the Diocese of Knoxville. Extremely hurtful for survivors of abuse as well as children. I am very disappointed in the lack of caring shown by Church officials.

[gene4ut]

Is this thing working?

[snaptn]

This video works fine on my computer.

[survivorjake]

Again, I don't think O'Connell is paying for anything. The Knoxville Diocese is working from information only since its conception. The record before while it was still the diocese of Nashville are not mentioned. Thats how simple it is. Richards, who was the pricipal of Knox Catholic was an abuser...there is no mention of him in this perfect diocese. I also do not reside in Tenn. I hate returning to the scene of the crime.

[gene4ut]

Bishop O'Connell was the first Bishop of Knoxville we can take down all the pictures but he was still the first Bishop. I do not condone what he did and it disgusts me. I don't care to see his picture either but the decision has been made to keep the pictures. I believe he is also paying dearly for his bad judgments and the Diocese has paid dearly and all Catholics have paid and now you are making us pay more.

PAX gene

[gene4ut]

I do not think that any of the priest that you claim to be moved here were moved here on Bishop Kurtz's watch. If my memory servers me right there was a priest here that had some type of abuse in his past, I think he was turned directly over to the authorities and was gone, not merely hidden away.

PAX gene

[snaptn]

Ask Bishop Kurtz how many priests have abused in the diocese of Knoxville. Ask him to cross reference with the dioceses of Nashville and Knoxville and tell you the whole story. The church in East Tennessee has been a worshiping community for 166 years. We deserve to know which priests abused here, when, and where. It is nothing more than the truth. . . but they won't tell you.

[gene4ut]

Again what good would it do to know what priest abused 166 years ago? What is important is there abuse going on right now!

Pax

gene

[snaptn]

If you or your child were abused, whether today or 40 years ago, it is ever PRESENT and must be dealt with. Because Catholics like you won't learn the depth of the problem, you re-victimize the victims of clergy abuse. We are supposed to be a church of TRUTH. Do you want the whole truth or not? If the hierarchy will keep terrible secrets of the past from you, what secrets of abuse are they hiding from you today?

[gene4ut]

What is the TRUTH, are there people who were abused by the Bishop still going to Saint John Neumann?

PAX

gene

[snaptn]

The families and friends of victims of clergy abuse are in every church in this diocese. Sadly, the victims of abuse usually do not return to the places where they were so cruelly raped and sodomized. They get physically ill at the sights and even smells that are associated with the church. O'Connell's victims? Where are they? Ask Bishop Kurtz. It is his final responsibility to tell you the truth.

[snaptn]

While you are questioning Bishop Kurtz, ask him when he is going to tell you about the rest of the abusive clergy who were assigned to the churches of this diocese.

[gene4ut]

Just a simple yes or no?

PAX

gene

[snaptn]

Sorry, Gene. Nothing simple about this. A yes or no will not do it, and a number would never satisfy you anyway. What you need to do is ask your pastor and the bishop to get the offensive pictures of an admitted molester of teenage boys off the walls so that victims begin to think that maybe, just maybe, you will try to understand. Yes or no. . . are you going to stand for victims or not.

[gene4ut]

Well I was interested in what you had to say, but you have nothing. I think you energy would be better spent attacking the abortion industry, were there are children are being abused to death.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

gene

[snaptn]

I was pro-life before pro-life was fashionable. If you were pro-life, you would be for victims of clergy abuse victims who lives are "abused to death" as well. If you think I have nothing to say, you have not been listening. Of is it that you really don't want to hear anything that would make you have to act outside your comfort zone?

[gene4ut]

Why did you not just ask for permission to go into the church and take your pictures? In stead you seek into the building like a thief. That is my Parrish and I feel abused and violated by your actions of sneaking into our Holy Church to try and to do us harm. You obviously do not have knowledge of our Church or respect for it. I question your character? After seeking into my Church I did notice that in Vol 2 you lied to the person when they asked if they could help you.

PAX gene

[snaptn]

Didn't sneak in anywhere. Walked right in. In broad daylight. No lies told by me to anyone. I told the lady in Vol 2 that she could not help me because that is true. Only the bishop and all the powerful priests can help victims by telling the truth, and they will not. The church is the faithful. Sounds to me like it is the hierarchy who does not respect the church because the do not respect you or me and certainly do not respect victims of clergy abuse.

[gene4ut]

You are saying that there are adolescents or I guess now young men now that are going to Saint John Neumann?

[gene4ut]

Please answer my question, are there people who were abused by the Bishop still going to Saint John Neumann?

PAX

gene

[snaptn]

Thanks, Lobster. Put us in your favorites and check back soon. You won't believe what we will find next!