{"id":1079,"date":"2009-02-07T13:13:00","date_gmt":"2009-02-07T13:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2009\/02\/in-the-face-of-the-medias-intense-hatred-of-our-catholic-faith.html"},"modified":"2009-02-07T13:13:00","modified_gmt":"2009-02-07T13:13:00","slug":"in-the-face-of-the-medias-intense-hatred-of-our-catholic-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2009\/02\/in-the-face-of-the-medias-intense-hatred-of-our-catholic-faith.html","title":{"rendered":"“In the face of the media’s intense hatred of our Catholic faith…”"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s quite a storm<\/a> brewing out in Illinois, involving allegations of sex abuse, lawyers, the bishop and, it seems, the media: <\/p>\n

<\/a>Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky is lashing out at the news media and Illinois courts over the handling of sexual abuse allegations made against priests. <\/p>\n

In a letter dated for distribution this weekend to Catholic parishes throughout Central Illinois, Jenky expresses concern over media coverage and court rulings he thinks have been unfair to the diocese.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmid all the tensions of our nation\u2019s culture wars and in the face of the media\u2019s intense hatred for our Catholic faith, I am increasingly concerned that our Church in effect no longer enjoys equal justice under the law,\u201d wrote Jenky.<\/p>\n

The diocese did not respond Friday to a request for comment on the letter.<\/p>\n

Jenky defended the church\u2019s policies and track record for dealing with abuse cases, saying credible claims have been settled while allegations unsupported by facts are rejected. He thinks measures put in place in recent years have made the church a safe environment for children.<\/p>\n

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has not allowed abusive priests to move from parish to parish, said Jenky, who also vowed not to be intimidated by \u201cchoreographed demonstrations or the abuse that is sometimes personally directed against me\u201d by victims\u2019 support groups.<\/p>\n

The bishop questioned the motives of attorneys representing some victims and groups supporting them, saying, \u201cObviously (they) have a significant financial stake in trying to overturn our Diocesan policies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff Jones, Peoria leader of the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, responded Friday to a copy of the letter provided to the organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sad day when the bishop has to use these kinds of tactics to make sure innocent victims receive no reparations. He will stop at nothing,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n

In his letter, Jenky also assures area Catholics that he will be a \u201cprudent steward of the money you offer for the work of Christ\u201d and warned that difficult days may lie ahead as the diocese faces the potential of more than a dozen abuse lawsuits.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can read more at the link<\/a>. Meantime, advocates for victims have responded<\/a>: <\/p>\n

A support group for those who say they were abused by the clergy blasted a letter Bishop Daniel Jenky planned to send out to the Diocese of Peoria this weekend, saying its contents are outrageous, sad and scary.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to know which of Jenky\u2019s radical claims is more bogus \u2014 that journalists hate Catholicism or that the diocese handles clergy sex cases perfectly,\u201d said Barbara Dorris, outreach director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, in a statement.<\/p>\n

SNAP received the letter dated Feb. 7-8 addressed to all \u201cpriests, deacons, religious and faithful of the diocese,\u201d from a concerned Catholic. SNAP provided the Journal Star with the letter.<\/p>\n

The bishop wrote, \u201cAmid all the tensions of our nation\u2019s culture wars and in the face of the media\u2019s intense hatred for our Catholic faith, I am increasingly concerned that our church in effect no longer enjoys equal justice under the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clergy support group retorted: \u201cIt\u2019s possible that Jenky is attacking reporters just to intimidate them into soft-pedaling stories about church corruption and recklessness and deceit. Or it\u2019s possible Jenky actually believes this outrageous claim. Either is sad and scary.\u201d <\/p>\n

The group pointed out that at least 18 current or former Peoria priests are admitted, proven or credibly accused predators.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Jenky seriously claiming the church handled every one of those cases promptly, openly and honorably? That defies common sense and painful history,\u201d Dorris said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Continue right here<\/a> for the rest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There’s quite a storm brewing out in Illinois, involving allegations of sex abuse, lawyers, the bishop and, it seems, the media: Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky is lashing out at the news media and Illinois courts over the handling of sexual abuse allegations made against priests. 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