Parishioners rally behind priest ousted over sex abuse claims

[Ediacara]

Parishioners rally behind priest ousted over sex abuse claims

January 26, 2004

BY MAUREEN O'DONNELL AND CURTIS LAWRENCE Staff Reporters

Holy Angels parishioners rallied Sunday behind a priest removed from ministry because of sexual misconduct allegations, blaming his on-again, off-again status on disgruntled critics, troubled accusers and double jeopardy.

The priest, the Rev. John Calicott, was in Mercy Hospital on Sunday. He said he had suffered chest discomfort that may have been caused by stress -- and said he has never acknowledged sexual misconduct with minors, contrary to statements from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.

Calicott, 56, wouldn't say Sunday whether he intends to continue playing a role at the parish at 607 E. Oakwood.

"I can't say anything until I see the documentation from the bishop, and I've got to deal with canon laws and things like that,'' he said from his hospital room.

More at the Chicago Sun-Times

[Democrats unite]

1. The hell with ...

all these damn people in the Catholic church! Will rally against me getting married, but will also rally around a child molester. Glad to see where your fucking priorities are! What a bunch of hypocrites!

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. Last time I checked

We have a tendency to assume people are innocent until proven guilty in the U.S.

[Democrats unite]

3. The last time I checked The catholic church is paying out

millions for pedophiles. Nu ff said!

[Bridget Burke]

4. Too bad so many accepted payment.....

In the Bad Old Days, pedophilia claims were handled "discreetly"--with a payoff. The family of the offended child wanted to avoid the embarrassment; perhaps the priest was punished, perhaps he wasn't.

Pedophilia is a criminal matter. Legal charges need to be filed, followed by a trial. All efforts must be made to protect the child, but the need for "discretion" should not override justice.

It's better to have a pedophile jailed if, indeed, he is found guilty. Accepting a payment instead of involving law enforcement is not very effective.

[Democrats unite]

5. I agree

It's the Catholic Church that has protected them & it's the Chaolic Church that should be made to pay.

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. That means nada

About this case.

[Forkboy]

9. No,not "nuff said"

in this country it's innocent until proven guilty.

Now it's 'nuff said!

[Voltaire99]

7. Backlash!

The past few years have been very expensive for Catholic churches, monetarily and spiritually. Average parishioners have watched their altruistic charity be used to mop up after their spiritual leaders, an equation that calls into question the foundations of their belief. What are sheep, after all, if led by evil shepherds? What does it mean to be fooled -- not merely a little, or even a lot, but systematically and for decades, over and over again?

As a consequence, Catholics are due for a backlash. The limits to coping with corruption may usher in more of the disingenuousness and denial that allowed their pedophilia culture to flourish. Is this uproar in Chicago the first sign?

[toopers]

8. As a catholic,

I know that all the normal catholics find pedophilia disgusting, and the scandal related to the church just as disgusting. The way the Pope and his minions (including those in the US) treated the entire scandal was appalling. While I still give to the church, I only give to my local parish and designate it for a specific use within our parish.

I really wish that someone in the US would form a separate sect from the Roman Catholic Church. They completely mishandled this issue.