West Virginia bishop calls for predecessor, accused of sex and financial misconduct, to pay $792,000

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

West Virginia’s new bishop Tuesday called for his predecessor, Michael Bransfield, to pay the diocese $792,638, apologize to victims and to the diocese, and lose his place in the diocesan cemetery as part of a restitution package for alleged financial and sexual misconduct that some church experts say is a first for a bishop.
The announcement by Bishop Mark Brennan follows a statement in July by Pope Francis that Bransfield’s replacement should decide how the ousted leader “make personal amends.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/11/26/west-virginia-bishop-calls-predecessor-accused-sex-financial-misconduct-pay-restitution-apologize/

This "making personal amends" can never erase the horror of the abuse, nor can it do anything for the survivors, but neither can prison, or any other social punishment.

[edhopper]

1. How does a Bishop have

almost a million dollars?

[guillaumeb]

2. I wondered about that as well.

Perhaps this is in case he inherits money.

[edhopper]

3. I thought the RC clergy have to give up their

worldly possessions?

[guillaumeb]

4. If a relative gave him money, he could not keep it.

[Major Nikon]

5. Each diocese is its own little fiefdom

They run their own finances and most of their compensation comes in the form of housing, transportation, household goods, and living expenses. Anything they make on top of that can go straight to the bank.

[WVlaserguy]

6. Why isn't the asshole in jail?

That's all I keep thinking. He's a child molester.

[guillaumeb]

7. Yes, he is.

And yes, he should be in jail.

[trotsky]

8. What exactly do you mean by this?

This "making personal amends" can never erase the horror of the abuse, nor can it do anything for the survivors, but neither can prison, or any other social punishment.

Are you saying we shouldn't bother punishing these monsters?

BTW - paying victims CAN ease their suffering, by allowing them to afford the counseling and treatment they might need.