NY priest apologizes for saying child is often seducer in sex abuse cases

[cbayer]

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/31/13583763-ny-priest-apologizes-for-saying-child-is-often-seducer-in-sex-abuse-cases?lite


By NBC News wire services

NEW YORK -- A New York priest says he "deeply regrets" if he hurt anyone by his comments that priests accused of child sex abuse are often seduced by their accusers and that a first-time offender should not go to jail.

The Rev. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal apologized Thursday for the comments he made in an interview with the National Catholic Register, published this week. The conservative, independent Register removed the story from its website and posted an apology for publishing the comments. Groeschel and the friars did as well.

"I did not intend to blame the victim. A priest (or anyone else) who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible," Groeschel said in his post on the website. "My mind and my way of expressing myself are not as clear as they used to be. I have spent my life trying to help others the best that I could. I deeply regret any harm I have caused to anyone."

The friars expressed regret for the remarks and highlighted Groeschel's medical history. They said he had been in a car accident several years ago, and that "in recent months his health, memory and cognitive ability have been failing." They described the comments as "out of character."

more at link

[skepticscott]

1. Another well-designed and totally phony apology

offered up only after discovering that his real views are despicable and (yet another) embarrassment to the church. Blaming victims for being raped is not a matter of "I misspoke", any more than talking about "legitimate rape" is. It was a well-considered and deliberately expressed opinion.

[rexcat]

2. What a pile of BS.

[cbayer]

3. Apparently they are blaming it on dementia.

[rexcat]

4. Then why did they let him make such a statement?

[cbayer]

5. Big mistake, wasn't it. I am sure whoever is in charge of him is not

happy today.

[skepticscott]

6. He obviously wasn't too "demented"

to make a very clear, detailed and specific statement in the first place.

What a despicable man.

[rexcat]

7. Exactly...

one wonders how demented he really is. More of a cover up than reality.

[cleanhippie]

10. How convenient. Seems like every time a believer makes a ridiculous claim...

its because s/he has "mental" problems.



Yeah, I'd say so...

[Angry Dragon]

8. ..........

[edhopper]

9. Looka like a Todd Akin

nonapology apology to me.

[MineralMan]

11. That's not a real apology, I think.

It's an "I'm sorry my stupidity and moronic idea got noticed" apology. That trick never works.

If, in fact, the man has dementia, he should not be giving interviews about anything. He said what he said.