If the Pope was truly serious about...."he wants to help", instead of sending for the bishops, he should send for the families and those abused. A free round trip , with a special meeting with him and a large sum for each person for counseling and remuneration for pain and suffering. That's what a real leader and truly penitent human being in his position would and should do! Joan

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-vatican-church-abuse0415 apr15.story

Pope Summons American Cardinals By CANDICE HUGHES Associated Press Writer

April 15, 2002, 2:16 PM EDT

ROME -- Pope John Paul II has summoned American cardinals to the Vatican for an extraordinary meeting to talk about sex scandals in the U.S. church.

The meeting will probably take place next week, the Vatican said Monday, without providing any additional details.

However, a source close to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said the meeting has been scheduled for April 23-24. The delegation is to meet with several Vatican officials, although it was not immediately known whether the U.S. leaders would see the pope, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The summons comes just days after the top U.S. bishops were in Rome for their semiannual talks with the 81-year-old pontiff. The sex abuse scandals dominated the discussions.

Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the pope wants to help.

"He extended his hand in support to the bishops of the United States," Gregory said Saturday. "The Holy See has demonstrated an extraordinary openness in understanding the particular situation that we face in the United States."

Gregory said there was no discussion last week of Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston, who has faced growing criticism since acknowledging he transferred a priest to another parish despite knowing of sexual misconduct allegations against the man.

Two weeks ago, Gregory told The Associated Press there was a possibility the U.S. bishops would ask the Vatican to approve a binding sex abuse policy for American clergy. He said details would be released at the bishops meeting in June.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Bishop Gregory and Bishop William Skylstad, the conference vice president, will join the U.S. cardinals at the meeting. Walsh said the Holy See has not set an agenda.

The Roman Catholic Church in the United States and elsewhere is under fire for its handling of a series of allegations of sex abuse by priests.

The church is accused of covering up misconduct by priests, in some cases by moving known abusers from job to job. It has already paid millions in damages and faces numerous lawsuits from victims.

John Paul has spoken only briefly of the scandals and some critics have sharply faulted the Vatican for a lack of leadership in a time of deep crisis.

-- Joan Storey (godessss@mindspring.com), April 15, 2002

Answers

Noone bothers to ask what a real Christian would do... though I doubt it involves sharply faulting the Vatican.

-- Jeffrey Zimmerman (jeffreyz@seminarianthoughts.com), April 15, 2002.

We have to think she means a ''real'' Pope Joan. The original one was a myth; now Sister Joan feels entitled to take over the Church. Sorry, Joan. Glass ceiling, you know. Lol!

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 15, 2002.

" A large sum". Is that all you gay right's people think off? Killing children, and " large sum's of money". Real feminist Lady's don't kill babies, Old Mamma!

David S

-- (asdzxc8176@aol.com), April 15, 2002.

Would someone point me towards the thread, that this bulldog(Joan) bragged about taking women into abortion clinics? I want to read it with my own eyes! I want to start giving Joan some attention.

David

-- (asdzxc8176@aol.com), April 15, 2002.

What an intelligent bunch...not one response focusing on the topic at hand. All your little minds are capable of are attacking the presenter. You really are a very immature bunch. Are any of you perchance alcoholics or recovering alcoholics with rested emotional developement?

May the Prince of Darkness soon leave you and may you find some peace. May any wannabe Catholics who fall upon this forum ...run for their lives. Your Satan has a real presence here.

Criticizing the pope for his inaction is a most christian thing to do. And more criticizm is due him from those who truly follow Jesus. He and his sadducee's have caused great suffering and evil. Own-up time is upon him...and if he can't do it, the church, which is the people, will!

I pray your family members and your children and grandchildren will never suffer the betrayal and abuse of another, especially a highly authoritative other. May your godde forgive you all. For your treatment of folks here and most assuredly for those in you daily life who also must suffer greatly. Joan

-- Joan (godessss@mindspring.com), April 15, 2002.

How dare you talk about children, you OLD bulldog! You baby killer. I look at your thread, " What a real Pope would do".

What would a real Lady do, bulldog? I will tell you. A real Lady would not be part of killing children, and would not be talking about the Pope. You are a pathetic witch, old Mamma! I am going to give you what you deserve, you old bat!!

You don't know anything about a real Pope. You are not even a Lady, much less a Catholic.

Be gone you old witch!

David S

-- David (asdzxc@aol.com), April 15, 2002.

David, LOL...Please check in to your nearest mental health clinic...I'm sure they can help you...you really must get back on your meds. Joan

-- Joan Storey (godessss@mindspring.com), April 15, 2002.

Joan writes:

"All your little minds are capable of are attacking the presenter. You really are a very immature bunch. Are any of you perchance alcoholics or recovering alcoholics with rested emotional developement?"

Joan,

Thank you for your example of charity towards others. You've convinced us all with these thoughtful words, I'm sure.

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), April 15, 2002.

You're welcome Mateo....truth is always charitable. If the shoe fits wear it. Joan

-- Joan Storey (godessss@mindspring.com), April 15, 2002.

Now, Fellows. Joan got her feminist dander up; OK--
After all, she presented us with this ''topic''What's the topic? Dump on the Pope. We little minds had it all wrong. John Paul II is not a ''real'' Pope. We failed to stay on topic, the ''Pope is no Pope'' topic. How petty of us! Joan was giving us light, and we're all so dense!!! Well, you know why. We are wannabe Catholics, to Joan's genuine Catholics. The people, that's the Church.

And, according to the Joan's Feminist Party-line men aren't people at all. Men can't cope with Godde. So men attack the ''presenter''.

Ullyses met a ''presenter'' in the Oddysey; by name of Circe. She turned men into swine. Joan fancies herself the New Age Circe. She came to the forum with her charms. Damn it! Guys!!! You are swine; hear? Circe says you're swine! Not Catholics at all. Only women can be Catholics. The ''presenters'' of Godde; Virago Goddess.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 15, 2002.

The shoes seem to fit you fine, Joan.

:-)

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), April 15, 2002.

"What an intelligent bunch...not one response focusing on the topic at hand. All your little minds are capable of are attacking the presenter. You really are a very immature bunch. Are any of you perchance alcoholics or recovering alcoholics with rested emotional developement?"

I think the proper phrasing would be more like, 'ARrested emotional development', right? Rested development infers that has been napping. Arrested development infers a discontinued development. Sorry, but I am a stickler for grammar used in the proper manner.

On a strictly rude note, I know reformed alcoholics with better manners...I even know practicing alcoholics with more respect for others. Perhaps you should have a bevvy, yourself?

"May the Prince of Darkness soon leave you and may you find some peace. May any wannabe Catholics who fall upon this forum ...run for their lives. Your Satan has a real presence here."

So, are we to deduce from the reference to 'our Satan', that you do not believe in Satan? And if this is a true interpretation, then how can you believe in God (even in your own formulation), and not give credence to the existence of the opposing entity?

Further to your recent accusation that Satan has a real presence here, I offer my own slinging of the proverbial mud for your careful consideration. You have said much to continue the case against your self-proclaimed Catholicism. Through the sharing of your words and deeds, you have convicted yourself of your separation from the faith you claim to promulgate. So, if Satan is here, look down at your own hand. When you extend a pointed forefinger to accuse, also notice the curled three fingers just below it, all pointing right back at you.

Lastly, I call your attention to the Catechism. Go read it. You will most likely be angered by it, but you will certainly see where you have strayed from the path of proper Catholic beliefs. So, sod off, you bleeding git, or come to anticipate the animosity that your posts generate on this forum without defending yourself through accusing us of small minds and ignorance.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), April 16, 2002.

I think the Pope is real enough to the thousands of Poles who lived under Nazi and Communist regimes. I think he is real enough to the Third World countries, who with the help of the Holy Father had their debt to industrial nations relieved.

I don't understand women like Joan who have reduced the plight of women to semantics and alternative word spellings, like "godde" and "womyn". I don't understand billion dollar lobbyist groups, such as the so called "National Organization for Women" who think that a woman's most essential right is to murder who own child in her own womb. Yes, it's true, I can't be a priest, but a priest cannot be a mother and wife either. I believe both vocations are very important. I think that a real feminist is someone who fights for quality education for their children, and who knows the importance of raising decent, productive human beings. A real feminist is someone who knows the value of the family, and who knows that she is more important to her children than the lifestyle provided by a six-figure income. She is someone who knows that her children are better off being raised by her and not some minimum-wage teenager at some fast- food daycare center.

-- Marcella (marcellack@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.

Thanks, Lady's! God bless you both, and your family's.

-- David (asdzxc@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Marcella, and Melissa;
--You are the true Catholic women; giving no place to sham role-playing and victimology. You meet God with good will, joyfully; realizing everything that His love has bestowed upon all good women. Not for what you could profit, but for the exaltation of His Divine Will. In doing that, you elevate womanhood to a holy plane; and your children to the grace that awaits them in Jesus Christ. The Holy Catholic Church is the Bride of Our Lord, and you are her handmaidens, with many more like yourselves. We shall all remember this in eternity. I hope Joan Storey is able to witness that day too.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 16, 2002.

Joan

To really know GOD you would have the utmost respect of life. I have been rewarded many times for years by our little ones as they grow to become adults. I had the pleasure from the graces of GOD 2 years ago on GOOD FRIDAY to hold a tiny little girl who came into the world 45 minutes ago. My Grandaughter Is now the apple of my eye as she gives me back many times more than I have ever seen in my entire life. It is called LOVE. You, Joan, cannot fully appreaciate this ever if you willingly aid in the destruction of the greatest gifts of GOD so willingly, LIFE. Every time I look at my grandchildren I see clearly the abundant LOVE of GOD. You seem to want to destroy it instead. You are a monster and totally godless. I am asking you to please leave this forum now. I cannot stand the sight of you and your total disregard of life and the creator of life, GOD.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), April 16, 2002.

Excuse me Fred....what bee is roaming in your bonnet. The topic here concerns the ivolvement of the Pope in the sexual abuse within the church. What part of that topic don't you understand. If you wish another topic, there is a little button you can press that says "new topic". It's purpose is to keep some consistancy to the discussions here. Do you think you can find that button? You then can feel free to discuss whatever surfaces in your mind. Joan

-- Joan Storey (godessss@mindspring.com), April 16, 2002.

Joan

There is no bee in my bonnet and furthermore I don't wear one. You seem to be the most oxmoronic person ever. First you support abortins of unborn human children. then in the same breath you worry about living kids. What a contrast you have shown.

You little girl are no pope and the situation is in good hands now with the Holy See doing it's own investigation. Apparently you are quite naive to the situation as it takes time to find the correct procedures to get the situation under control. Your half-baked comments are in no way going to help or accomplish anything in this situation. It takes an oxymoron like you to try and screw it up some more. You have no clue who you have hurt in the past and now you want to rule the Pope? Go get a life. You seem to forget that Our GOD is working on it too. Spiritual things do take time to heal the wrongs of society and one needs patience too.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), April 16, 2002.

Joan,

Why do you think that rather than bringing the American Bishops over to the Vatican to discuss viable solutions to deal with these abuse issues, that it's better to give the victims a vacation? How typically left-wing to think that if you throw money at the problem it will go away. Why don't you think they (the Bishops) should go to Rome? Because their men and they didn't invite you? How will this prevent further abuse? How trivial could you possibly be? Maybe we should send the victims to Disneyland, that would solve it wouldn't it? Goode Godde!

-- Marcella (marcellack@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.

Dear Mother Superior,
Why say ''The topic here concerns the involvement of the Pope in sexual abuse within the Church?'' Our Holy Father has not confessed any involvement. He's asking all Cardinals to report to him personally. We have no problem with that; why would you? What you suggested; that a ''real'' Pope would do things your way --smacks of envy. Do you envy the Pope the task of reproving these prelates while all the non-Catholic world laughs up the collective sleeve? Very odd! But, of course you yourself aren't sniggling about this catastrophe, ARE YOU?

In case you didn't notice, in another thread, I said I was once molested as a little child. By a male relative, whom I felt too ashamed to denounce. I just stayed far away as I could from him the rest of my life.

He wasn't a priest; nor in my immediate family, thank God. Maybe you'll find it unbelievable, Joan. But though I hated being abused, and I was robbed of innocence that way, I didn't turn into a snivelling, tormented and trauma-ridden adult. My sex drive and my morals remained normal and I was not ''destroyed'' by this. I never even hated the evil-doer. I forgave him when I started to learn about Jesus Christ in my Church. I prayed for him.

He subsequently became a respectable person, I think. I'm not judging him as a lost soul; far from it. I hope his time in Purgatory is shortened by God's mercy.

Even so, I have deep sympathy for those real victims of abuse; particularly since the Sanctuary is so sacred to me as a Catholic. I was an altar boy as a 12-13 year-old; and served the most holy and Christ-like priests in Mass for a time. I thank God none of them was guilty of the slightest impropriety in my presence. Maybe if this had happened, my point of view would now be much more severe and judgmental. There it is, what to make of it?

I'm proud of the great men in the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ. I see them for what they truly are; pure and deserving of our love; as opposed to the scattering of perverted men who are now being discovered. Let these evil ones be cast out; and never more cast their shadows on the Holy Altar. Only the pure and blameless ones are true priests; no Catholic would say otherwise. I expect that is what the REAL Pope, John Paul II is about to say to the College of Cardinals. And to the world, maybe. Won't you at least pray for him, Joan? Not to Godde-- the distorted idea you like so much.

To Our Almighty Father in heaven-- and the Son who reigns at His right hand eternally, in the union of the Holy Spirit -- One God, forever and ever!

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 16, 2002.

Eugene, I don't think I have ever been given a compliment that could top yours. Thank you for your kind words.

In Christ,

Melissa

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), April 16, 2002.

Eugene said: "In case you didn't notice, in another thread, I said I was once molested as a little child. By a male relative, whom I felt too ashamed to denounce. I just stayed far away as I could from him the rest of my life."

Now I understand the underlying anger that is so often misdirected here Eugene. Thank you for sharing the pain in your life. I sincerely wish you well, and I wish you peace. Joan

-- Joan Storey (godessss@mindspring.com), April 17, 2002.

Joan writes:

"Now I understand the underlying anger that is so often misdirected here Eugene. Thank you for sharing the pain in your life. I sincerely wish you well, and I wish you peace. Joan"

Joan, you've got a lot of nerve to be so condescending at the beginning of your post. I guess if I used your version of compassion, my email to you would go something like this:

"Now I understand the underlying confusion and ignorance that you so often display here Joan. I'm sorry that you fell head-first onto concrete when you were a child. Thank you for sharing the pain in your life. I sincerely wish you well, and I wish you peace. Patronizing Mateo."

Mateo.

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), April 17, 2002.

Thanks, Mateo--
Not to worry; Joan doesn't even realise her banality, saying such a dumb thing.

You could say anything to me, Joan; insult my own mother to my face. I have no personal anger or animosity; toward you or anyone here in the forum. When I write something feisty, I'm really going counter to my own nature, which is rather tender-hearted. But I believe in emphasis. I use reductio ad absurdum and wry or black humor as my favorite devices. Sometimes I think you have, too. Serving the devil, however.

So, lowering the boom on a deviate nun and apostate here is NOT a misdirection of anger, it's just giving you up to the ordeal you justly deserve.

It may not yet have dawned on you, Sister Virago: This is your trial by ordeal.
Lol!

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 17, 2002.

virago -- noun -- A woman regarded as noisy, scolding, or domineering.
{from "vir," Latin for "a man"}

-- (@@@.@), April 17, 2002.

David S, you asked how to get to the thread on which Mrs. Storey "bragged about taking women into abortion clinics."

It was either a very old thread, which is now off the "Recent Answers" board or a Molson thread that has now been deleted.

The best I can do is reproduce what Chris B wrote on April 2 on the thread called "Have you read ... what ordinary Catholics can do?" Here is what he wrote, and I do recall reading it when Joan wrote it (and she has not denied it on any of the ten occasions that it has been repeated to her):

"Incidentally, Joan said the following on another thread, 'I bet you are the same guys I meet with their protest signs outside women's health clinics as I escort patients past your picket.'"

[If anyone gets all messages by e-mail, he/she may still have Mrs. Storey's original message.]
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), April 17, 2002.

A free round trip , with a special meeting with him and a large sum for each person for counseling and remuneration for pain and suffering. That's what a real leader and truly penitent human being in his position would and should do! Joan ...

Let's be realistic. Do you realize that many "money hungry" people are already taking advantage of this terrible situation, and claiming falsely to have been molested in hopes of getting monetary compensation. If the Pope was to invite every one who was ever molested, there would be more people than the Catholic Church alone claims to have. These people are already tempted by the "suet fever", why not throw in a free round trip vacation to Rome? A real Pope, and any real Catholic, would realize that the justice due to these priests will be served not in this world, but in the next. Judgement and Punishment are not up to the Pope, his job is to point us in the right direction. A real Pope follows the real teachings of the real Christ (Forgiveness). And in case you didn't know, no amount of monetary compensation or counseling can ever take away the pain of molestation. It may temporarily relieve it, like novocaine temporarily relieves a rotten tooth. But only Jesus Christ has the power to erase past wrongs.

-- Jake Huether (Jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 13, 2002.