In an Aug. 20 Tribune article, David Zubik, bishop of Pittsburgh's Catholic diocese, claimed his office had followed “every single step” regarding the 300 clergy accused in the recent grand jury report.
He spoke of an independent board reviewing individual charges deciding whether to submit the information to law enforcement, remove the errant priest or return certain accused individuals “back to the ministry.” Back to the world where their transgressions apparently went unobserved or ignored.
A pedophile cannot be changed by a lifetime of penance and private recollection, as the pope directed one disavowed archbishop found to be guilty of such abhorrent action or lack of oversight. The perpetrators belong in 6-by-8-foot cells, the traditional "three hots and a cot" where they can really contemplate their misdoings.
Although Zubik and his fellow church hierarchy are equally responsible, the primary blame lies in the Vatican. Pope Francis continually issues statements of sorrow and feeling the pain for the victims of his clergy's monstrous actions. He acts as though he has never had any information regarding the abuses and criminal actions becoming too current within the priesthood. Is the church that disjointed and lacking any degree or organizational communication?
Perhaps he is just relating back to his days as a “Peronista” activist (for dictator Juan Domingo Peron in the 1950s) back in Argentina. When Pope Francis was a young priest, his support of Peron was considered evident by those who claim knowing him back then. As the supreme head of the Catholic Church, his duty is to lead or get out of the way. I think it is time for him to get out of the way.
James F. Oshust, Millcreek