“[U]nlike the foreseeability for misconduct at a fraternity house, the Cour[t] does not find a corresponding general foreseeability regarding the Oblates and minor children,”
- Judge Stacey Neumann
This is a bizarre comparison. I guess if the Catholic church closed its eyes to abuse, they deserve a 'foreseeability' pass from the state.
Certainly Catholic officials have long known of on-going sexual abuse by priests - who they routinely shifted around the US and to communities in poor nations with few protections. They ostracized people who brought abuse to their attention and protected sexually predatory priests.
To some degree families and parishioners knew. And could provide some protection through avoidance. Although many were enthralled to church authority. Many children were at the 'mercy' of the church, especially in Catholic schools and institutions. Giving "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me" a different spin. This is one reason why separation of church and state is essential.
“[U]nlike the foreseeability for misconduct at a fraternity house, the Cour[t] does not find a corresponding general foreseeability regarding the Oblates and minor children,”
- Judge Stacey Neumann
This is a bizarre comparison. I guess if the Catholic church closed its eyes to abuse, they deserve a 'foreseeability' pass from the state.
Certainly Catholic officials have long known of on-going sexual abuse by priests - who they routinely shifted around the US and to communities in poor nations with few protections. They ostracized people who brought abuse to their attention and protected sexually predatory priests.
To some degree families and parishioners knew. And could provide some protection through avoidance. Although many were enthralled to church authority. Many children were at the 'mercy' of the church, especially in Catholic schools and institutions. Giving "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me" a different spin. This is one reason why separation of church and state is essential.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/letter-may-prove-clergy-abuse-in-the-1950s/97-155810781
https://www.mainepublic.org/maine/2016-01-05/portland-diocese-sued-over-alleged-abuse-in-1950s-thru-70s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_cases
So disturbing that this judge ended the case this way.