The Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Scandal
TLDRFr. Mike Schmitz addresses the Pennsylvania priest abuse scandal, condemning the heinous acts and emphasizing the difference between genuine virtue and virtue signaling. He expresses deep anger and disbelief at the abuses and praises the courage of victims and those fighting for justice. Fr. Mike urges the faithful not to abandon the Church in times of crisis but to lead it by becoming saints, eradicating corruption, and embodying true holiness. He calls for uncompromising pursuit of virtue and dedication to transforming the Church from within.
Takeaways
- 😔 Father Mike Schmitz expresses deep shock and horror at the Pennsylvania clergy abuse scandal, stating it's the worst thing he's ever read or heard in his life.
- 🔥 He initially questioned why he needed to condemn the abuse, as it's obviously evil, but acknowledges the importance of speaking out against it.
- 📣 The video addresses the difference between 'virtue' and 'virtue signaling', with the latter being an easy condemnation of an obvious evil without personal cost.
- 👮♂️ Father Mike highlights the real virtue of those who worked on the grand jury, good priests and bishops, and the victims who spoke out, as they faced significant challenges.
- 🤔 He admits his own lack of knowledge about the extent of abuse within the church and emphasizes that not all priests are aware or complicit in such actions.
- 🛡️ The Dallas Charter of 2002 is mentioned as a significant step towards a zero-tolerance policy for abuse within the Catholic Church.
- 👨🏫 The 'two-deep rule' is explained as a protective measure ensuring that no adult works alone with a youth in the church.
- 😢 Father Mike shares personal experiences of being stigmatized due to the actions of others, and how he came to understand the greater pain carried by the victims.
- 🙏 He encourages people not to leave the church in times of crisis but to lead it by striving to become saints and addressing corruption within themselves.
- 💔 The script reveals a gap in trust between the public and the church, with people seeking assurance that priests share their anger and disgust at the abuse.
- ⛪️ Father Mike emphasizes the need for the church to be led by holy individuals who are uncompromising in their faith and commitment to eradicating abuse.
Q & A
What is the main topic of Fr. Mike Schmitz's video?
-The main topic of the video is the response to the scandal in Pennsylvania involving around 300 priests who abused thousands of children.
Why did people ask Fr. Mike to comment on the scandal?
-People asked Fr. Mike to comment on the scandal because they wanted to hear his perspective and condemnation of the horrific acts committed by priests.
What does Fr. Mike initially question about the need to condemn the scandal?
-Fr. Mike initially questions the need to condemn the scandal because he believes it is obvious that such acts are evil and condemnable.
What does Fr. Mike define as 'virtue signaling'?
-Virtue signaling is defined by Fr. Mike as the act of publicly condemning something that is already widely recognized as evil without any personal cost or sacrifice, merely to appear virtuous.
How does Fr. Mike differentiate between 'virtue' and 'virtue signaling'?
-Fr. Mike differentiates between 'virtue' and 'virtue signaling' by stating that virtue involves actual sacrifice and effort, like the grand jury's work, while virtue signaling is a cost-free display of moral stance.
What does Fr. Mike consider as the real virtue in response to the scandal?
-Fr. Mike considers the real virtue to be the actions of those who worked on the grand jury, good priests and bishops who spoke out, and the victims who came forward to share their experiences.
Why is Fr. Mike making the video despite his concerns about virtue signaling?
-Fr. Mike is making the video because people expressed a desire to know that he, as a priest, shares their anger and upset about the scandal.
What does Fr. Mike believe is the gap between people and the church regarding trust?
-Fr. Mike believes the gap in trust is that people need to be reassured that priests and bishops are as horrified by the scandal as they are, indicating a lack of assumed trust in the church's leadership.
What is Fr. Mike's personal reaction to the scandal?
-Fr. Mike's personal reaction to the scandal is one of disbelief, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal, as he could never have imagined such acts by priests.
What steps has the church taken since the 2002 Boston scandal to prevent abuse?
-Since the 2002 Boston scandal, the church has implemented the Dallas Charter, which includes a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, immediate suspension of accused priests, and mandatory child protection training for all who work with youth.
What is the 'two-deep rule' mentioned by Fr. Mike?
-The 'two-deep rule' is a policy that prohibits adults from being alone with a youth, requiring at least one other adult to be present at all times when working with young people.
How does Fr. Mike respond to people who feel they should leave the church because of the scandal?
-Fr. Mike encourages people not to leave the church but to lead it by becoming saints, confronting corruption and compromise within themselves and the church.
What is Fr. Mike's final call to action for the church and its members?
-Fr. Mike's final call to action is for members of the church, including himself, to lead by becoming holy, uncompromising in their pursuit of Jesus, and refusing to tolerate corruption within themselves and the church.
Outlines
😔 Reflection on the Pennsylvania Scandal and Virtue Signaling
Father Mike Schmitz begins by addressing the Pennsylvania clergy abuse scandal, expressing his shock and disbelief at the magnitude of the abuse. He questions the need for him to publicly condemn something that is inherently evil, arguing that doing so would merely be 'virtue signaling' without personal cost or sacrifice. He distinguishes between virtue signaling and true virtue, highlighting the efforts of the grand jury and the bravery of victims who came forward as examples of the latter. Father Mike emphasizes the importance of real action and change, rather than just public statements of condemnation.
😠 Anger and the Church's Response to Abuse
In this paragraph, Father Mike discusses his own anger and frustration over the abuse scandal and the lack of awareness he had about the extent of the issue within the Church. He emphasizes that he and many other priests were unaware of the abuse and the corrupt behaviors that had been occurring. He also talks about the changes implemented by the Church in response to the 2002 Boston scandal, including the Dallas Charter and its zero-tolerance policy. Father Mike stresses the importance of not compromising on the issue of abuse and the need for courage and integrity among Church leaders.
🛡️ The 'Two-Deep Rule' and Personal Experiences of Stigma
Father Mike explains the 'two-deep rule,' a policy that prohibits adults from being alone with minors as part of the Church's child protection measures. He shares his personal experiences of being stigmatized in public due to the actions of a few priests, and how this has affected him emotionally. He reflects on the greater pain experienced by the victims and how he must bear the public's suspicion as a form of solidarity and penance. He also discusses the importance of not leaving the Church during times of crisis but instead leading it towards reform and holiness.
🙏 A Call to Lead and Become Saints
In the final paragraph, Father Mike makes a heartfelt plea for the faithful not to abandon the Church in its time of need but to actively lead it by striving for sainthood. He acknowledges the Church's imperfections and the need for personal and collective transformation. Father Mike calls for a commitment to rooting out corruption and compromise within oneself and the Church, advocating for a return to the core values of faith and integrity. He concludes with a blessing and an invitation to join Ascension Presents in their mission.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Virtue Signaling
💡Evil
💡Grand Jury
💡Statute of Limitations
💡Virtue
💡Courage
💡Compromise
💡Dallas Charter
💡Two-Deep Rule
💡Lead
💡Saints
Highlights
Fr. Mike Schmitz addresses the Pennsylvania clergy abuse scandal and emphasizes the evil nature of the acts.
He questions the need to 'condemn' the scandal, arguing that its evil is self-evident.
Fr. Mike discusses the concept of 'virtue signaling' versus true virtue in response to evil.
He differentiates between condemning evil and the real virtue of those who seek justice and truth.
Fr. Mike acknowledges the bravery of victims who spoke out despite the statute of limitations.
He explains why making the video could be seen as mere virtue signaling rather than taking action.
Fr. Mike expresses his own anger and the gap in trust between the Church and its congregants.
He admits his lack of awareness about the extent of abuse within the Church.
Fr. Mike reflects on his own seminary experience and the absence of abuse.
He describes the strict measures implemented by the Church post-2002 Boston scandal.
Fr. Mike talks about the 'two-deep rule' for adults working with youth in the Church.
He shares personal experiences of being stigmatized in public due to the actions of others.
Fr. Mike encourages congregants not to leave the Church but to lead it through their own virtue.
He emphasizes the need for individuals to be uncompromising in their pursuit of holiness.
Fr. Mike calls for the Church to be led by saints who are courageous and faithful.
The video concludes with a plea for the audience to stay and contribute positively to the Church.
Transcripts
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