Say It Ain't So, Father Fran.
The Daily Record has published an AP report that the Archdiocese of Delaware has filed for bankruptcy protection in an effort to avoid litigating 88 legal claims of sexual abuse. According to the article, the filing was made Sunday night, "on the eve of a civil trial." The decision was made by the Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
I knew Bishop Malooly as a boy, in Baltimore's Gardenville neighborhood. Back then, we called him Father Fran. I served mass with him as an altar boy.
I think what he is doing here is terrible. I understand he has an obligation to the Archdiocese, and that the law allows for these kind of filings.
But I think this is terrible. Does the Diocese not have an obligation to these Catholics alleging abuse? Obviously, there is a potential legal obligation. But these victims are Catholics and children of God, who allege abuse by a priest. And by a single action, they have been deprived of their day in court. Does the Diocese not have a higher, moral obligation to see that justice is done?
I wonder which Commandment is the one that says it is OK to use man's law to avoid paying for actions that are forbidden by God's law?
