"Witnesses Sought to Soul Murder..."

As a Catholic wife,mother and supporter in the Survivors of those Abused by Priests(SNAP), as a society, have we truly supported justice to those who werevictims of Soul Murder, most commonly referred to as clergy sex abusesurvivors?

After submitting several articles and letters toeditors nationwide concerning the protections of children and those whoprotect them as mandated reporters (Whistleblowers), most often myexercises of free speech, press and opinion have been labeled asanti-Catholicism or just another writing of a non-politically connected"crazy" lady. This is the furthest thing from the truth.

Afterconducting a recent internet search, it is evident that our societysupports justice and legislation that demands legal, moral andfinancial accountability for crimes committed against children andother violations of the law, i.e., killings, fatal accidents,kidnapping, bank robberies and weapons of mass destruction. The phraseslisted below were searched, and multiple internet hits were revealed.The hits revealed an interesting story on the subjects below:

*Witnesses Sought to Killings..."

"Witnesses Sought to Fatal Accident..."

"Witnesses Sought to Kidnapping..."

"Witnesses Sought to Bank Robbery..."

"Witnesses Sought to Weapons of Mass Destruction..."


However, there is one phrase that did not reveal multiple internet hits:

"Witnesses Sought to Soul Murder...(Clergy Sex Abuse Crimes)"


Asa society, is there a reason why the media, government and religiousleaders have not publicly supported justice and due process when itrelates to Soul Murder, clergy sex abuse crimes committed againstchildren by employees of religious and/or private organizations?

Asa society, are we only outraged by a sense of injury, injustice andhealing to survivors of past clergy sex abuses if it directly involvesone of our children, family members or personal friends?

Thisweek, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will be meeting in LosAngeles, California. During that meeting, many topics will be discussedand matters of concern will most likely be resolved. However, as asociety, can we possibly understand the impact of forgetting about SoulMurder, the lives of precious children and families that have sufferedin shame and silence, without due process or a day in court?

Aselect few ethical journalists, priests, clergy, attorneys andgovernment leaders have assisted survivors of Soul Murder in theirpublic outcry, outreach and attempts to seek new legislation nationwidethat would return due process to victims of Soul Murder. But, thequestions to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week willhopefully address the questions below:

When will U.S. Bishops, legal advisors, government and political leaders,

* assist the media with headlines "Witnesses Sought to Soul Murder,

*acknowledge that Soul Murder has been ignored, mandated reportingfailed and ongoing legal delays continue. Is this another example ofDavid v. Goliath?

* promote legislation nationwide, that willreturn due process, legislation and justice to survivors of past SoulMurder crimes,

In conclusion, this week's meetings(commencing June 15, 2006) of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishopsare the opportune times to restore faith and trust to the socialjustice teachings of the Catholic Church, the struggling faithful andthe freedoms that are guaranteed in our great country.

Pleasewrite letters to the editor of your local newspapers; send letters toyour Bishops and church leaders -- do it now -- in time to show theBishops how urgent these discussions are to you.

Happy writing-- enjoy exercising your freedoms of speech, press and opinion. Pleasenever forget that freedoms of religion do not include sex abuse crimesagainst children and failures to report the crimes to law enforcement.

Without justice, there will never be peace and without peace, faith is empty.

God bless you always.

Debby Bodkin, Founder
www.catholics4justice.com

www.catholics4justice.com

As an amateur writer, my passion forthe courage of clergy sex abuse victims has changed my life directionin many ways. We must never forget that our country's freedom ofreligion does not include sex abuse crimes, cover-ups and failures toreport sex abuse to law enforcement. Your input is important and valued-- please listen to the personal stories of clergy sex abuse survivors- write to your state legislators and Church leaders expressing yourviews and concerns. May God Bless you always.

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