Santorum Stands Firm, Keeps Blaming Liberalism For Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church
Santorum Stands Firm, Keeps Blaming Liberalism For Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church
In July 2002, Santorum blamed sexual abuse in the Catholic Church on “academic, political and cultural liberalism.” Today on ABC’s This Week, George Stephanopoulos gave Santorum multiple opportunities to take it back. Santorum refused:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Let’s move on to another controversy you stirred up, the question of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church. You made a statement in July 2002 which has drawn a lot of fire.
You said, in a publication called Catholic On-Line, When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While there’s no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm.
You’ve reaffirmed that just a couple of weeks ago. Ted Kennedy, John Kerry say you have to apologize. Mitt Romney, Republican governor, says basically you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Do you still stand by that statement?
SANTORUM: Look, the statement I made was that the culture influences people’s behavior…
[snip]
STEPHANOPOULOS: So you’re standing your ground…
SANTORUM: And I’m standing my ground because I tried to fight to change the church.
I don’t care what Jon Stewart says. Santorum is a “bad dude.”
By popular demand, we’ve posted the full transcript of the interview.
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43 Responses to “Santorum Stands Firm, Keeps Blaming Liberalism For Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church”
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Bush taught him one thing well: never back down, no matter how idiotic your statement or decision.
Spread that Santorum, Rick!
July 31st, 2005 at 11:34 amRepublicans sin? God forbid! Don’t blame conservatism.
Their website, though, dropped one tantalizing hint: its list of past presidents includes Donald Edgar “Buzz� Lukens (1963- 1965). Buzz went from head of the Young Republicans to being a two-term congressman from Ohio. After an unsuccessful shot at state politics he was elected to Congress for another two terms, where he voted consistently against sex education, welfare, and Medicaid. Sadly, his career was cut short by an unfortunate incident in which he had sex with an underage black girl in exchange for liquor and $40, and another incident involving the unwelcome fondling of an elevator operator, and jail time for statutory rape. Some have criticized Buzz but, to our knowledge, no one has ever accused him of wanting to marry a man.
But Buzz represents what Donald Rumsfeld might call “the ‘old’ Young Republicans.� What’s the new breed up to?
July 31st, 2005 at 11:36 amOf course! Everything that’s wrong with everything is the fault of the Democrats/ liberals/ Clinton. Once we get used to that everything about everything will be right.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:06 pmMarie has it.
Being a conservative is about blaming others.
No responsibilities, but fixing blame other your enemies is good.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:12 pmSomething tells me that Mr. Santorum is going to have some gender gap issues next year.
Hopefully, whoever is running against him next year can exploit this. Mr Santorum is writing his opponents ads for him/her.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:14 pmI don’t think someone who truly loves and cares for children would say such a thing.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:16 pmArt and life imitate eachother. But the Catholics INVENTED sick culture and redefined child rape.
If Santorum actually believes his own rhetoric he’s admitting Catholics are easily provoked into pedephilia.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:24 pmWhat! Are you saying Santorum is a hypocrite? Perish the thought! I saw his pathetic interview this morning as well as previous interviews earlier this week — he’s a throwback to the days of Oz — Ozzie and Harriet, that is. Just prick him with a fork — he’s done.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:29 pmIf Mr. Santorum believes so ferverently about pro-life issues, the family unit and the atrocities of the Catholic Church concerning pedofilia, then I’d be interested to know what he thinks of the atrocities being committed in Iraq concerning the amount of innocent dead Iraqies, and the rape of young boys by our soldiers. Why doesn’t anyone ask him about matters such as these. His own party seems to want to bury any discussion of the problems this administration has caused for the people of Iraq.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:34 pmGood point, Grace. I am actually afraid of the rape footage getting out. But the world needs to know about it.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:35 pmThe sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Boston is more a reflection of the ridgid patriarchal society that Santorum and his kind embrace and would like to impose, that the result of Liberalism. Secrets stay secret in the “boys” network as we see in our govt. today. Ever seen such secrecy in an American govt.? Ever hear anyone admit to being wrong? Anyone see this Admin. change course after failure? Wrongs are never righted just as in the Catolic Church in Boston.
July 31st, 2005 at 12:52 pmDon’t worry too much about this buffoon. He is going to lose his re-election bid to a very popular man. Poll rating have Santorum down by 10 points. In the interview this morning George asked him to identify some of the “radical feminists” he blamed all problems on and he couldn’t name one. Later he came up with Hillary. What a friutcake!
July 31st, 2005 at 12:55 pmHow does Saint Ricky explain that in those dioceses where the sex scandal has been most intense, and where the evidence is that the offenses that have come to light occurred many years ago(some cases 20-30 years ago), those who were in charge of formation, running the seminaries, and leading the dioceses could all be classified as leaning sharply to the right??? It is about time that when people like Santorum make idiot statements they be asked for the facts that support their contentions, not just whether they support their stupid statements. Santorum proves he knows nothing about the Archdiocese of Boston or any other for that matter. “Sit down Ricky and keep your mouth shut, or your going to get detention.”
July 31st, 2005 at 1:00 pmhttp://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/07/31.html#a4244
July 31st, 2005 at 1:01 pmhere’s the Vido of the apperance
Santorum is at the Republican Carnival earning prize tickets for rabid comments; that he’ll later cash in at the prize booth for a one-way trip to heaven. He is really not much different than a mullah preaching revolution.
July 31st, 2005 at 1:10 pmIt’s the cultcha…
Denton constable faces sex charges
The Colony: Case in Colorado alleges intent to assault a child
10:21 PM CDT on Friday, July 29, 2005
By JAY PARSONS / The Dallas Morning News
A Denton County constable drove to a Colorado restaurant on Thursday and called a woman he met through the Internet to let her know he had arrived, according to court papers.
Instead of Marsha showing up with her 8-year-old daughter for a sexual encounter, he met her colleagues – Cañon City, Colo., police officers.
Larry Dale Floyd, a 62-year-old constable from The Colony, was arrested on suspicion of soliciting to have sex with a child and was charged with seven related crimes, Cañon City police said.
Mr. Floyd was being held at the Fremont County Detention Center in southern Colorado on $100,000 cash-only bail. He could not be reached for comment.
Texas and Colorado investigators are looking into Mr. Floyd’s life for evidence of other encounters with children, said Dave Bodycomb, a Cañon City police records clerk.
“They have suspicion he’s done that,� Mr. Bodycomb said.
Investigators would not comment further, but court papers detail sexually explicit conversations with an undercover officer dating to June 2.
Charges against Mr. Floyd include conspiracy and criminal intent to commit sexual assault on a child, pandering of a child, inducement of child prostitution, trafficking in children, criminal solicitation, solicitation for child prostitution and enticement of a child.
A person using the screen name freevacation_formoms contacted Marsha – the undercover officer’s alias – through an online instant messaging service, according to the statement of probable cause released by the clerk’s office of the Fremont County Combined Court.
The person identified himself as Rick from Oklahoma. He described himself as a “very real older male, clean, safe, discreet� with “a motor home so will travel,� according to the document.
Rick asked about Marsha’s 8-year-old daughter, Melissa. He “told me that he had no limits, none at all, other than moms rule,� the officer wrote in the court document.
The officer’s name was redacted in the court papers.
Rick told Marsha about explicit sexual acts he wanted to perform with her and her daughter, according to the document.
“He also told me that he had traveled two times before so far for this same thing,� the officer wrote. “Rick told me that he was looking for one mom into this that he could visit and take on vacation several times a year.�
Child photos
The next day, Rick asked to speak with Melissa on the phone. “He said that she needed to chat with uncle Rick,� the officer wrote.
It’s unclear whether that phone call took place.
Marsha sent Rick childhood photos of a female police officer. They traded several more instant messages, phone calls and e-mails until June 29, when Rick said he planned to visit Cañon City on July 28.
In one phone conversation, Rick asked whether Marsha knew any other children. Marsha replied that she had a friend with a 16-month-old boy and 3-year-old girl.
“He wanted us to be able to have my friend’s two children for the weekend so we could be sexually active with them also,� the officer wrote in the probable cause statement.
“He mentioned a few times that they were the age that they wouldn’t talk and tell and asked if I thought they would,� the officer wrote. “I told that him they wouldn’t.�
On Thursday, the man called Marsha to say he had arrived at a Denny’s restaurant in Cañon City and was waiting for them.
And the police were waiting for him.
Mr. Floyd has been a Denton County constable since 1993. A Republican, Mr. Floyd was unopposed in his most recent re-election in November.
“My promise to the people was to have a high level of visibility and to serve the citizens in a professional manner,� Mr. Floyd wrote on the Web site for his Constable’s Office.
Denton County officials said Friday that it’s not clear what will happen with his Precinct 2 position, which covers The Colony and parts of neighboring cities. The deputy constable is filling in during the interim. He did not return a call for comment.
Because constables are elected, county commissioners cannot remove him, said County Judge Mary Horn of Denton County. The district attorney could take steps for his removal, and if that happens, the commissioners would appoint a replacement, she said.
“We have to let the legal system prove its course, but this is just terrible,� Ms. Horn said. “It’s doubly sad because it implies there are other victims.�
Ms. Horn said she ordered Mr. Floyd’s county-owned computer locked down and would cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies.
Tom Keever, the chief district attorney over Denton County’s civil division, did not return phone messages.
‘Shocked’
“I am shocked and disappointed that he would do something like that,� said Jim Dotson, another Denton County constable. “If they have a case against him, I’d say prosecute to the fullest, regardless of who it is.�
Mr. Floyd is married with three children, according to his Web site. He is a Vietnam War veteran and has served in several law enforcement positions since leaving the Army in 1980, according to his Web site.
“I hope he’s innocent,� said John Dillard, mayor of The Colony. “Anytime something like this happens to a decorated Vietnam War veteran, it’s sad.�
Mr. Bodycomb said the Texas Rangers and the Dallas police Internet Crimes Against Children unit were helping investigate.
Mr. Bodycomb said Cañon City’s part-time Internet Crimes Against Children unit has arrested 10 or 11 people in recent years.
July 31st, 2005 at 1:18 pmFor more background on American Taliban Santorum’s defense of clergy sex abuse, see:
“Unrepentant: Rick Santorum and the Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal”
July 31st, 2005 at 1:28 pmHe needs to be asked why the Church can’t fix this “sick culture”.
July 31st, 2005 at 1:44 pmHe’s one of many in gov’t. We should be glad he doesn’t know when to shut up.
An ultra conservative organization is at fault here. They kept things quite, did not discipline their own, did not report crimes, kept up appearances and lied for years.
Santorum is wrongly linking that which allowed the abuse to occur and continue with liberal sexual behavior and liberal ideals.
July 31st, 2005 at 2:02 pmTrue Conservative values!
http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/ 2005_07_24_patriotboy_archive.html#112276701020853413
Follow the race between Hackett and Schmidt in Ohio. If Hackett wins on Tuesday, kiss conservatism good-bye!
July 31st, 2005 at 2:09 pmJohn (#11) is right, it’s the fault of a patriarchal church, and with Santorum, by extension, a patriarchal government. The church or the government has no right to tell us whom we can marry, or if we should, or whom we can live with or enjoy sex with, or who can raise children, and also no right to tell each other (church & government) what to do. Otherwise what you wind up with is a factually-challenged man like Santorum giving orders to you and me. I mean, he didn’t know who the feminist radicals were, didn’t know that John Kennedy wasn’t alive in 2002, or even how many kids he himself has. Was it four or six, Ricky?
Paraphrasing Ron (#2): What’s Ricky really up to? Come out of whatever closet you’re in, Ricky, you’ll feel better and lose your righteous anger, Senator whip-to-be, and accept the rest of us for what we are, not what you may want us to be.
Henry David Thoreau said: I heartily accept the motto,-”That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.
July 31st, 2005 at 2:15 pmOkay… he’s saying ‘liberalism’ caused the sexual abuse in the church?
… when did this ‘liberalism’ start? 1980’s? 70’s?… umm… 30’s?
…Actually, let’s try going back a few hundred years.
Liberalism is to blame?
How about creating a refuge for pedophiles in the Catholic church? Denial of the church that it even EXISTED cultivated that refuge… Want to be in a position of power over young boys? Ultimate power? Join the church.
It isn’t Boston, it isn’t Orange County, it isn’t Chicago… its the church!!!!
What a stupid asshat. His ultimate ambition is to drive all ‘this’ back underground… he liked it when the church denied pedophiles were members, they could ignore it then.
.
July 31st, 2005 at 2:35 pm…. and Santorum is not the worst of them. I don’t believe he washes his employees feet ……yet.
July 31st, 2005 at 2:39 pmRe #7: whatever else Brian may or may not be, he is certifiably intelligent about “if X is true, then it follows that Y is true.” I love stuff like that. I wish I could do it.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:11 pmIt’s important to remember that the Catholic Church is opposed to gay marriage for one reason and one reason only. If gay men could get married, they would have to let women become priests, most of the men would leave the church.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:13 pmThe logic of Santorum:
1.) Some priests commit criminal acts on little kids.
2.) Bishops cover it up for 50 years.
3.) A very sick and dying Pope does almost nothing.
4.) Priests are not kicked out of the church.
5.) The liberals- who people like Santorum say never attend church- are to blame.
Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
July 31st, 2005 at 3:21 pmLiberals did it, not!
Disturbing Connections emerge….
Disturbing connections emerge
Sexual abuse allegations, cases hint at Spokane’s shameful side
Three decades ago, while Spokane reveled in its changing skyline and the limelight of hosting a World’s Fair, the city frequently was described as a great place to raise a family.
But beneath the surface lurked a dark secret – actually several of them.
Young boys – some from troubled backgrounds and others from prominent families – were being sexually abused by a group of men who were supposed to be role models and authority figures. Growing evidence suggests that people who knew about the abuse did nothing to stop it or report it.
Two attorneys who represent several alleged victims from the era believe there was a pedophile ring operating in Spokane.
Others blame a culture of secrecy, denial and ignorance for allowing revered, male-dominated institutions like the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to ignore abusers in their midst.
“The people and institutions who helped keep these secrets are almost as guilty as the perpetrators,” said Seattle attorney Tim Kosnoff, who represents two of at least four men who allege they were passed around among abusers.
“There was definitely a sex ring operating in Spokane, preying on young boys,” Kosnoff said, using the FBI’s definition of two or more individuals sharing information and victims to make his point.
Spokane attorney Duane Rasmussen, who also represents several alleged victims from the 1970s, believes people knew about the abuse and kept it quiet.
“There was an institutional cover-up going on, which extended from various parts of law enforcement to the Catholic Church’s Spokane diocese,” Rasmussen said. “Institutions protect themselves. There’s no question some of the various perpetrators knew each other for some time and would cooperate with each other.”
For most of the community, the first inkling of a systemic child abuse problem didn’t come to light until 2002 when the Spokane Catholic Diocese was sued over the actions of the Rev. Patrick O’Donnell and at least a half-dozen other priests accused of molesting boys.
In many ways, the crisis in Spokane mirrored clergy sex-abuse scandals in Boston, Los Angeles and elsewhere. But the magnitude of the scandal here would eventually force the Spokane diocese to seek U.S. bankruptcy protection in December 2004 – one of only two dioceses and one arch-diocese in the country to do so.
To date, at least 60 victims are seeking a total of $76 million from the Spokane diocese.
Read on, Ricky boy…
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=82828
July 31st, 2005 at 3:23 pmWe’re getting off subject: Santorum does not care about sex crimes.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:27 pmYou know… it strikes me that his book is ‘it takes a family’ as opposed to Hilary’s ‘it takes a village’…
… and yet, he blames the molestation in the Catholic church on liberalism in society… umm… that’d be the village wouldn’t it? Society?
So… the question remains, where was the family in this whole Catholic church scandal?
Would he blame the molestation on bad parents then?
.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:41 pmSteve’s summary #26 is right and to the point. Contradictions abound in Santorum’s philosophy — most glaring is Steve’s final point. Liberals are a supposedly godless and immoral group according to the religious right wing nut jobs, but they are nonetheless responsible for the actions and inactions of the church.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:44 pmI’ve said it before, everything that is wrong with everything is the fault of the liberals. Just ask Ricky.
Soundboys - Of course Santorum would blame certain families for the molestation crimes in the church. Those depraved families where the mother is (gasp!) working outside the home. Those families who don’t dress up in their finest and attend church every Sunday. Those families who can’t afford to send their children to private schools or change their registration address to allow their kids to attend private schools on the taxpayer’s tab.
July 31st, 2005 at 3:47 pmSantorum doesn’t speak for me, a born-again Christian. I oppose him and Bush and all of those who are giving true Christianity a bad name. A true Christian seeks to live like Christ did—humbly and as a Servant to others. Just because this administration and men like Santorum use Christian vernacular doesn’t mean a thing. They are only fooling themselves. There is no New Testament support for invading a country and blowing up innocent people just as there is no support for pandering you influence to support and cater to the rich and greedy.
July 31st, 2005 at 4:05 pmJesus put it simply when He warned His true believers “You shall know them (my disciples) by their fruit.” The Book of Galatians lists the “fruit of the Spirit” if you’re interested. No where is avarice, lying, or greed ever mentioned.
Please don’t stereo type all Christians by what you see this administration doing. They have deceived many.
Pax
This senseless idiot is the perfect example of why abortion should be legal; his existence on this planet is living proof that stupid is as stupid does. The fact this ignorant jackass can hold public office is definitive proof that as long as you spew vicious, hatefilled rhetoric, the great unwashed will kneel down and gorge on the slop. Miserable pathetic fool.
July 31st, 2005 at 6:53 pmI’d pass the hat to raise money to drag that sanctimonious, smarmy sack of shit up here to Boston and into some bar in one of the neighborhoods (Dorchester, Southie, Charlestown, etc.) where people know kids who were molested. Where people who tried to tell the church decades ago were threatened. Where the church hierarchy threatened legislators who even considered making them legally required to report abuse (for generations, they were exempt from that law, by virtue of pressuring everyone in state government).
Exactly how long do you think it would take before the soon-to-be FORMER Senator Man-On-Dog is forcibly separated from his face? Huh? Any takers? I knew he was stupid, but this is BEYOND offensive, especially to the tons of people who were “good Catholics” until they tried to report to the Archdiocese that priests had molested their children. Guess Little Ricky missed the section on “how you treat the least of my children, you do unto me” section in CCD class.
July 31st, 2005 at 8:38 pmDon’t forget that although the Boston Globe that broke the huge story about Cardinal Law and his treatment (or covering up) of the offending pedophile priests, it’s highly unlikely that Cardinal Law or his priests were liberals!
He must be saying that the kids, who were liberal, were asking for this sex? Coming on to the poor priests and forcing sex on them?
Hey, Roberts went to that lefty-pinko institution (otherwise known as Harvard), so HE must be a bleeding heart liberal too, eh? No doubt Little Ricky doesn’t vote “yes” for Roberts when the Supreme Court vote is taken, right? Cuz that would be hypocritical and we all know that Republicans aren’t…. oh…. never mind.
July 31st, 2005 at 8:50 pmOhio, and Drew Carey is not funny. He’s a stupid can of fat ass crap. But it’s still the liberals in Boston’s fault! All Republicans must be sacrificied ritually to appease the Gods. They are very angry.
A BLADE INVESTIGATION
Authorities abetted diocese in hiding sexual-abuse cases
Police, courts let accused priests avoid punishment
For Sgt. John Connors, it was an urgent request from one of Toledo’s most powerful priests.
The veteran police detective was summoned by the Rev. John “Archie” Thomas to Central Catholic High School before classes to talk about a deep secret brewing behind the walls of the diocese headquarters.
Read on, Little Ricky…
http://toledoblade.com/ apps/ pbcs.dll/ article?AID=/ 20050731/ NEWS08/ 507310305
July 31st, 2005 at 9:01 pmBased on Santorum’s nutball reasoning, “Look, the statement I made was that the culture influences people’s behavior,” then he, himself, has been influenced just as the pedophile priests were and are influenced by our culture.
So, what is he really saying? Our “deviant” culture breeds pedophiles? Or maybe just priests who are susceptible to pedophilia? Or maybe he’s implying that at any moment, because of our “deviant” culture, he might begin molesting children?
The funny thing is, that in some of the most religiously repressive societies around the world, pedophilia and homosexuality and prostitution and rapes still happen. These religiously repressive societies don’t allow pornography. They don’t allow sex education. They often sheath the women in full-body coverings. Afghanistan under the Taliban and now under Taliban clones. The emerging “liberated” Iraq. Saudi Arabia. Communist Red China. What? Communist Red China? Repressive, conservative, orthodox, nutball societies are all the same. It’s just that Commieland in China is orthodox Maoist, ruled by a bunch of conservative control-freaks.
Note: I apologize for listing homosexuality and prostitution with pedophilia and rapes. However, I was just listing what conservatives define as “deviant” social behavior. Homosexuality and prostitution, however, are activities between consenting adults. Pedophilia and rape are not. I know the difference. Religious fanatics do not.
Right now the Statue of Liberty is being raped by the Republican nutballs. Our Constitution is being raped. Our civil liberties are being raped. I’m not fooled. Forced rape is forced rape. And the religious nutballs in the Republican Party are literally raping our democracy. Which is why I’ve started calling them Communists. No difference. Forced rape is forced rape.
August 1st, 2005 at 8:23 amSantorum backtracked a little, using the old “knowing what I knew then” cannard. Somebody should bust him on it.
August 1st, 2005 at 9:42 amHaving seen him talk and having heard what he’s said, I certainly wouldn’t trust Santorum alone with young boys. I think ultimately, it’s his own predilictions that scare him, and he’s just projecting those drives onto the rest of the world.
August 1st, 2005 at 10:57 amJust John, that is always the case.
August 1st, 2005 at 12:01 pmMr. Santorum is picking high profile fights to show conservatives he is truly one of them. When he attacks someone outside Pennsylvania, rather than his Democratic opponent, he gets coverage while Mr. Casey does not. I guess he figures any publicity is good. The pitfall in his plan is that people actually get a chance to hear the drivel he spouts.
August 1st, 2005 at 6:05 pmwhipped ass net
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October 14th, 2005 at 6:20 pm941
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November 4th, 2005 at 9:03 am