Lawmaker Calls Bishop ‘Pedophile Pimp’

[Gerald]

A top Republican in New Hampshire on Friday called Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester a “pedophile pimp” on his Facebook page.

The Republican, State Representative D. J. Bettencourt, the House majority leader, was responding to criticism from Bishop McCormack that state budget cuts would hurt the most vulnerable members of society.

“Would the bishop like to discuss his history of protecting the ‘vulnerable?’ ” Mr. Bettencourt, a practicing Roman Catholic, wrote. “This man is a pedophile pimp who should have been led away from the State House in handcuffs with a raincoat over his head in disgrace. He has absolutely no moral credibility to lecture anyone.”

Mr. Bettencourt said in a statement that his criticism stemmed from Bishop McCormack’s time as an administrator for Cardinal Bernard F. Law in Boston, where he was a top aide assigned to investigate complaints that priests had sexually abused minors. He was named bishop of Manchester in 1998.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/02/us...l?ref=politics

Note: April 1, 2011

[DarkFish]

Shouldn't a politician know better than that? If you can't take any criticism without starting to call names then why the hell didn't you find another job?

[Gerald]

Yes absolutely, if they are elected they have to be respectful submission, and act with style and class

[Skybird]

The names involved do not tell me anything, so from a general point of view:

The decisive issue here is whether or not the Bishop indeed helped to hide acts of pedophile abuse in the church, or talked it down, or commited such crimes himself - or not.

If he has a record in being linked to pedophilia in the church hierarchy, then it is absolutely okay to call out that fact, and it is no name-calling at all, and since he then is guilty of criminal and morall chharges, he indeed has no moral authority whatever to lecture others about moral issues and special responsibilities. If he has no such record, only then it is name-calling, or better: an offense for which he can sue the attacker (due to character assassination).

In the past year(s), internationally and in Germany as well there have been so many revelations about rape of minors in the church, so many, many cases being counted, now ranging in the hundreds and thiousands, that one is tempted to see them no longer as an exception from the rule, but as an integral part of the system. Which indicates that the system is rotten, and dysfunctional. In Germany last year we also had the scandal about an exemplary alternative education institute, where over decades pedophile abuse and rape was committed systematically.

[Platapus]

I guess it all depends on whether this bishop was or was not a pedophile pimp.

That piece of information is lacking from the story.

[Gerald]

Until proven otherwise it will probably not come to light as light winds detail

[UnderseaLcpl]

I find a slight measure of vicarious enjoyment in the name-calling. Bloody Catholics. Refuse me communion, will you? All because I won't swear allegiance to the Pope? Why should I? Nutters haven't even launched a decent crusade in 700 years.