I can't even think of a word that describes how despicable these so-called "men of the cloth" were. Don't get me started.

Every Bishop of Joliet since the 1950's hid this information. Thereby perpetuating sexual abuse among children. I really find it difficult to understand why anyone would still stand behind this organization. Why they would attend church services listening to those in charge preach morals while those at the highest level have not abided by common decency or protected our youth. Why do people continue to give money to an organization that keeps these monsters in a comfortable retirement? Do that not realize that their stewardship helps to pay for the legal defense of these child molesters?

I really don't understand how any women in the US can be a practicing catholic. It is a secret society of men. It sickens me that the church refuses to accept women into their diocese and that they are STILL against contraceptives. I am in agreement with Jennifer, the whole thing is so sickening!

Follow God and His 10 Commandments. Our church leaders have failed us - not God. This was all prophized. Open your eyes. Not only has our Church failed us, but so has our Government. Get on your knees, say the rosary. Whatever your religion or political affiliation - Prepare yourselves.

Marion Sneig, a priest from the 1950's from St. Jane De Chantal parish sexually assaulted my two older brothers and they both killed themselves with alcoholism.
The catholic church is completely dysfunctional. Back in the day many priest had too much time on their hands, and let their poor morals betray many innocent children.

Kaffer became an auxiliary bishop prior to Frederick dying. So this hypocrite was in a position of power and stood by as a guy who he knew was a sexual predator continued to minister. Yet I could have been ex communicated because I engaged in pre marital sex with a women I was engaged to and eventually married. Hypocrites

You said it Jennifer! How can anyone still be a Catholic...it's got to be embarrassing to be a part of an organization that shuns divorce and birth control and yet condones molestation?! It's a sick, twisted cult...can't wait to watch the smoke signals to see which new molester is their head. Catholics are pompous, hypocrites. Open your eyes, protect the youth!!

Monetary settlements are part of the answer, incarceration should also be part of the settlement. No amount of money can undo the damage that the Catholic Church has done to ruin children's lives, both by the actual commission of the crime and the resulting cover up, which is almost as bad as the act itself. When will society start demanding justice for the children, who we all give lip service to their protection but do nothing ?

All of you that are "recovering catholics" as I consider myself should flood the diocese with requests for excommunication.....I want no part of this cult it should be disbanded and the spoils distributed amongst the poor and every one of those bastards should be doing time. From what I understand the general population dosesn't take kindly to short eyes.

I am a Catholic, although I think all religions have problems,the Catholic church is way behind the times. Every person,Business and organizations have to adjust with changes in the world. It took way to long to adjust to English from Latin. It is way past the time to allow women to be involved in all aspects of the Catholic church. It is a haven for pedofiles with the current rules.

Thankfully, the Catholic Church is beginning to rid itself of the homosexual scourge that has put a black eye on the Church and her mission for many years. It will take a while, but it is beginning to happen.

Also, if Burnett denied the charges and Rudofski has a case, why wasn't Burnett criminally charged? Oh, yea, it was only 32 years ago. The DA, didn't want to touch it with a 30 year old pole. Rudofski and his lawyer are going after the cash.

By the way, a public school teacher grabbed my crotch in 1976, when I was on the wrestling team. My memory was jogged when I read this article. Can I get money too?

Yes Mike, it is time for a change of churches...When I first heard that that pope was retiring I was skeptical. Why would a pope retire after 600 years of a pope not doing that?? That to me is very fishy. I grew up with many catholics on our street, they told me I would be going to hell because I am not a catholic. That was when the entire mass was in latin, One of the catholic mothers would come down the street and would cry to my mother that she was pregnant again. I think she ended up with 14 children, the eldest one to commit suicide. Why so much guilt??? Seriously, live a life based on Jesus Christ's teaching, period. It is also my belief that men become priests because they are gay and they are too ashamed to come out, it's all about shame and guilt. The molestation of children I do not understand, and for it to go on this long as it did is unforgivable!!! I will never forgive the catholic church and I wish that smoke would turn what ever color it is suppose to turn, so the news media shuts up about it.

Now for some current news of alleged sexual abuse as opposed to the ones that took place 32 years ago,

February 2, 2012: Bond Set For Orland Park Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that bond has been set for a substitute teacher and basketball coach at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a seventeen year old female student. Steven E. Reynolds, 26 (d.o.b. 2/28/1985) of the 600 block of 55th Street, Hinsdale, appeared in Bond Court this morning charged with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 2 Felony. Judge Elizabeth Sexton set his bond at $250,000 with 10% to apply.
It is alleged that the inappropriate contact occurred on January 28, 2012 at Reynolds’ home in unincorporated Hinsdale. The alleged incident came to light when the victim disclosed the alleged contact to her friends who subsequently informed school officials. Authorities at the school immediately contacted the Orland Park Police Department who in turn contacted the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. An investigation into the matter conducted by the DuPage County Children’s Center resulted in today’s charges.

Here's another recent case within the last two years, not 32 years ago: September 11, 2011

Wheaton—A 72-year-old Wheaton man pleaded not guilty on Oct. 24 to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a young girl in 2007, records show. Glenn Camp, last of the 200 block of South Morgan, was recently indicted on the charges he grabbed the girl's buttocks more than four years ago. Camp is free on $35,000 bail with orders to stay away from the Morgan Street address and to have no contact with any females under the age of 18. He returns to court Nov. 21.

OK, here is one from this year, not 32 years ago! from Naperville High School...

Former Naperville North High School Counselor Pleads Guilty to Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Student

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that a former high school counselor at Naperville North High School has entered a plea of guilty to one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 4 Felony. John Carbonaro, 35 (d.o.b. 12/29/1977) of Melcher Avenue, Warrenville, entered the plea in front of Judge Blanche Hill Fawell this morning just prior to the start of a bench trial.

Today’s plea is the result of allegations that in the summer of 2010, Carbonaro became involved in an improper relationship with a female student under the age of 18. During the relationship Carbonaro inappropriately sexually touched his victim. The sexual abuse occurred at Carbonaro’s home. In February, 2011, a third party informed school officials about the relationship between Carbonaro and his victim. Authorities at the school immediately contacted the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. An investigation into the matter conducted by the DuPage County Children’s Center resulted in charges against Carbonaro and ultimately his guilty plea.

“As a trusted member of the high school’s staff, Mr. Carbonaro used his position to sexually abuse his young victim,” Berlin said. “He cared nothing for his victim and betrayed the trust.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the sex abuse cover up from 7 years ago (not 30-40 years ago) from Hinsdale Central High School...

Hinsdale district sued in sex case
Former student assaulted by coach
April 04, 2007|By Art Barnum and Meg McSherry Breslin, Tribune staff reporters

An attorney for a 2004 Hinsdale Central High School graduate who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the former head basketball coach is suing the coach, the principal, the school district and the district's retired superintendent.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in DuPage County Circuit Court, focuses on school administrators who conducted an investigation into anonymous allegations concerning former coach and teacher Robert Mueller and another student, who graduated in 2001.

Forgot about his one from less than 30 days ago, not 30 years ago...again from Naperville...

A lawsuit seeking substantial financial damages has been filed on behalf of a young Naperville man who claims he was sexually molested over a two-year period by a track and triathlon trainer then working at a fitness center in Warrenville.

Attorney Brian J. Perkins said his law firm also represents another youth who was allegedly abused by the trainer, Woodridge resident Robert J. Theodore. Criminal charges have yet to be filed in that case, Perkins said Thursday.

So you see, these criminal creeps, come from all walks of life. The poor decisions that people in charge made to avoid embarrassment whether the were Catholic or in the above case, from Hinsdale Central, were horrific. The good news is the Catholic Church and other institutions have been completely focused on child safety, criminal reporting, and making sure this doesn't happen again. EVER.

The other good news, is that in all walks of life, these criminal creeps are just an infinitesimal part of the general population.

The bad news, and good news, is all of the victims, whether from Catholic schools or public schools or, most likely, the family down the block, need our help recovering from these horrific crimes.

Thanks, Karen, for letting me set the record straight.

@Vincent Russell

All of the comparisons to lay people are meaningless as we are discussing abuse in the Joliet ArchDiocese, specifically, and, the other Arch Diocese's worldwide. These are not isolated cases, but a sickness that has populated the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. Not only has the Church sanctioned these abuses, by covering up, or moving Priests to other Diocese's so that they could prey on other young children with the knowledge of what they had done, which makes them accessories. You sound like William Donohue of the Catholic League who blames everyone who speaks against the Church as haters of Catholicism, which is also called deflection. So what happens when a priest or Cardinal or Bishop or even a Pope, well, they are given sanctuary in Vatican City where the cannot be prosecuted. And, by the way, pedophilia and homosexuality are two widely divergent things.

Vincent Russell,

You forgot this one when you were posting recent articles.

Diocese of Joliet doesn’t deny reinstated priest abused teen

BY BOB OKON bokon@stmedianetwork.com September 13, 2012 7:42PM

The Rev. Lee Ryan is shown in this file photo. Supplied

Updated: October 15, 2012 9:55AM

The Diocese of Joliet is not denying that the Rev. F. Lee Ryan had inappropriate sexual relations with a minor.

But Ryan is being returned to the ministry based the Vatican’s interpretation of an obscure tenet of canon law that suggests such conduct can be tolerated if the victim was at least 16.

Here's another one that you missed Vincent.

Former Joliet Catholic priest again charged with sexual abuse

By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com March 17, 2011 6:10PM
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM

VENICE, FLA. — A priest who was once the assistant principal at Joliet Catholic High School has been arrested on sex abuse charges for the second time.

The Rev. William C. Wert was arrested Feb. 1 after a 14-year-old boy told police Wert had engaged in a sexual relationship with him for five months.

Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM

VENICE, FLA. — A priest who was once the assistant principal at Joliet Catholic High School has been arrested on sex abuse charges for the second time.

The Rev. William C. Wert was arrested Feb. 1 after a 14-year-old boy told police Wert had engaged in a sexual relationship with him for five months.

Detectives arrested William C. Wert, 53, this week on two counts of committing a sex offense on a victim between 12 and 15. On Wednesday afternoon, a judge refused to set bail on those two counts.

Weir is a friar with the Order of Carmelites and has been living in a retirement home the religious order owns in Venice while on leave of absence. In 2007, he was convicted in Washington, D.C., of simple assault after being accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old and put on probation.

Yes it is the cover up, all the way to the Vatican that would make me run from the catholic religion. It sickens me, these are suppose to be men of god. Seriously

my final point as you can find more details above at david le.
the catholic church cannot change their dysfunctional legacy. they cannot use money to alter their betrayal of children. Church power has never been challenged, but if this new pope could verbalize and ask everyday for forgiveness of these sins of betrayal, then maybe closure can happen for so many destroyed families.

Wow Vincent.....if you ever become a reporter or blogger I would love to continue reading you stuff. You are correct!

This is hardly the largest abuse scandal to taint the Roman Catholic Church, but I shan't recount the grim list. We may quibble about what percentage of priest are abusers or whether the the RCC is a statistical outlier. Sure there are bad apples everywhere.

What is far more damning is the action of the RCC when they become aware of these abuses of the most vulnerable among us. While any secular organization would dial 9-1-1, the RCC (it would often seem) does the OPPOSITE of protecting our children or meting justice for the most horrific of crimes and protects abusers at the expense of children.

So how is it that they claim moral authority?

Tom,
I'm also not certain how an 86 year old man, with health issues ( which he admitted, and which recently was reported in the media) Is intimate knowledge? I would have just chalked it up to common sense. And if you really think any Cardinal enters a conclave with clear designs of "running" for Pope, you have never had a conversation with any religious!

Just a comment to all of the believers, and enablers here that defend the Church. First, and foremost, the acts that have been committed on children are not the acts of Homosexuals, they are the acts of Pedophiles, there is a huge difference. There is no illusion to thinking individuals, that these acts are criminal in nature and should be prosecuted under common law not under canonical law. In my view, the ones who defend these heinous acts are not only enablers, but also, complicit in their actions.

I don't think a single person on here has condoned what happened to the victims. What kind of nut would condone abuse? And enabler, because you are a Catholic or attend Mass?? Come on!!
And all allegations of abuse are immediately reported to the authorities now. Should it have been that way all along? Of course! But none of the Catholic bashers will acknowledge the changes the Church has made. After all, what can you argue if you have to look at facts.
Doesn't matter anyway. The bashers will never change. They are sure they are right. I have to decide if I want to be right or I want to be happy. I'll choose to be happy and stop arguing with closed minded people.

Let's see 1% of Priest are abusers and 16-17% of the general population are abusers. More children are abused by the public than a Priest. So parents watch your children, a family member, friend, relative , coworker, Doctor, or neighbor my be a pedophile. Also keep your boys out of the Boy Scouts.

I wonder how many here have a family member or someone that committed abuse or other crimes and they know they did it or cover for them. There are many that do it.

Vincent Russell - Pedophiles are not homosexuals. Homosexuals are not pedophiles, they are simply men who prefer the company of men. Pedophiles prey on children, both male and female. Educate yourself before you continue posting nonsense. You are terribly naive and horribly insulting.

Let me understand this better. Can a homosexual man, that has a sexual in counter with a boy 13 or under be consider a pedophile.

"Do we throw the baby out with the bath water", is there no redeeming qualities with the catholic church?

Can a person be both, homosexual, and a pedophile, as well as a heterosexual, and a pedophile?

@Grandpamike "ones who depend these heinous acts . . . complicit in their actions." Are your views consistent with attorneys that defend their clients, family members, such as a mom in support of her son or daughter, who has been convicted of a crime?

@seriously: you put on so many hats, that you leave yourself open to so many attacks. I will only assault one. " . . . defines who they are." Most psychologist would tell you that it's not healthy to harp on the negative parts indefinite, let alone let it define you. But you appear to carry it around as a badge of honor, rather than what it should be, and that is a badge of survivor, therein is the help. And defend of Tiffany & Vincent, who need no defend, I did not read where they said " . . . who cares", please argue without lying.

They were let go but not prosecuted. Where are they now? They could be anywhere. That is the problem! If they were put through the court system, they would have been either exonerated or imprisoned. Now they could have been working with children for the last 10-20 years and possibly harming others. Also if they are innocent they were not given the opportunity to clear their name. The people at fault are the ones who were entrusted with our children's and BROTHER'S welfare and they didn't care about them.

Amen Madalyn!

While the actions of the abusers is truly horrifying, that's not the reason for the vilification of the Church. It's about the way church officials and the Vatican covered up the abuse and essentially provided new victims to the abusers when they were moved to different parishes. That vilification is well deserved, and the Church needs to completely come clean on this. That hasn't happened yet. Lawsuits are forcing the issue, otherwise we would never have seen this list.

Also, being a pedophile has nothing to do with being gay. Most pedophiles are heterosexual males. It's a sickness of the mind, not an orientation. Victims have been both little girls and little boys. The crimes are horrifying and disgusting enough without adding homophobic hate speech into the mix.