Uncle Roger's Notebooks of Daily Life

Roman Catholic Anatomy Lessons

At this point, is there anyone surprised by another Catholic priest busted for his hands-on work with young boys? What's different about this case, however, is the claim that the priest was only giving the boy "anatomy lessons". Sure, uh-huh. Lessons that took place in his car on a bush track, at a pool, and even in his church.

The victim, now 51 years old, says the lessons left him feeling "Broken, old, clumsy, dirty, ugly, guilty, confused, rejected, worthless and scared."

"It destroyed all my hopes and dreams," he told the judge.

This isn't the priest's first time around the cell-block; it is, in fact, his fifth such conviction. And yet, he has only served time once before. This time around, in light of his lack of remorse -- or, rather, in spite of it -- he's getting jail time. Father Gannon will spend a maximum of 25 months in the hoosegow.

Still, a two-year sentence is better than nothing. And, alas, that's all the victim will get; Gannon has refused to apologise for his actions.

You'd think, at age 79, it wouldn't hurt the former priest to offer up some sort of apology, wouldn't you? Ah, but there is a reason. Apologising would open up the Catholic Church to a lawsuit looking for compensation.

Apparently, the financial welfare of one of the wealthiest organizations in the world is more important than doing what's right.

Let me say that again: This pedophile priest is more concerned about the church's finances than he is about apologizing to the man that he abused, let alone allowing the poor guy to get some compensation.

And this is the sort of person that the Catholic Church says should be the moral guide for everyone. Thanks, but no thanks.