Comments on: Pope accepts resignation of NZ bishop

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 00:26:19 +0000

I am deeply confused by the insistence of so many laity that this was an adult to adult consensual relationship. Rome is still defending Cardinal Pell even after his conviction, but not Drennan. His resignation has been accepted (requested?). Archbishop John Dew has publicly stated that his behaviour was inappropriate and unacceptable. Are we so naive to think that the Church has taken this course for a consensual affair. Initial media releases said that the young woman was a teenager when the events occurred and now a young woman. So presumably over 16 (since not criminal). So the laity are fine with a bishop in his 50s having a sexual interaction of some sort (any sort!?) with a teenager? There are many forms of sexual abuse not clearly covered by criminal law.
I suspect that there is a lot not being said, and that the unprecedented punishment likely fits the “crime”.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 20:45:45 +0000

Um, #metoo. Have you been under a rock or on dial-up for the last three years?

By: Maria

Maria — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 05:25:29 +0000

How did it come to this, that the Catholic Church should act as if it is Calvin’s Geneva? Is there not a huge distinction between predatory behaviour which is a lifetime of infidelity, and one or even two inappropriate lapses?

For that reason, and clearly as officially stated, this was no abusive situation, but an adult to adult inappropriate relationship, which seems to have not even caused obvious scandal or inflicted pain on a third party. That Drennan should suffer this humiliation is extremely sad.

Regardless, Charles Drennan has needed to submit his resignation which was accepted. That it was accepted is for me the scandal, for there is no mercy here, only cold hard justice.

Moreover there is the taint of hypocrisy. Such a rigorous standard that finds no distinction between a serial predator and a simple sinner certainly calls into question a many priests in NZ who should now offer their resignations. The statement that, ‘The Catholic Church has no tolerance for any inappropriate behaviour by any of its members,’ is a joke, which makes Drennan to be a scapegoat of some type.

I wish him well, I fear he has been badly handled.