Rainbow Sash Movement

There are growing scandals that are taking root in the Diocese of Las Vegas. The most recent involves Father George Chaanine. I believe this outrage and the response of Bishop Joseph Pepe is reflective of the larger Church’s response to the Clergy/Bishops Sexual Abuse scandal. Bishop Pepe like the United Council of Catholic Bishops still doesn’t get it.

On Tuesday, Father Chaanine faced a Las Vegas judge for the first time. He was caught in the Phoenix area after being on the run for almost a week. Father Chaanine, who had been a priest at Our Lady of Las Vegas church, is in jail. He's accused of trying to kill choir singer Michealina Bellamy. "We've certainly have outreached to her and (are) telling her that we're interested in her and finding out whatever she needs."

Bishop Pepe oversees the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas. He's had to oversee damage control as well. In a separate scandal, another local priest is off the job. Father William Kenny has been relieved of his day to day duties at Christ the King Catholic Community Church. He's accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly church member.

Bishop Pepe response has been typical of most Bishops response to the broader scandal. The bishop is reminding parishioners and others to look at the whole picture and keep the faith. There are 29 Catholic churches and 72 priests in southern Nevada. The church as a whole helps feed 2,000 people every week and it helps hundreds of others find housing and jobs. Some are concerned about the finger pointing, perhaps it is time these individuals and Bishops focus on Justice, and not how much good they claim to have done.

This is not about how much good the Church has or has not done. To engage in such a discussion I believe is deflective. The real issue is the structure of the Church and how such human frailities are enabled by the actions of our Bishops, rather than being dealt with. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge we have a mess on our hands, and that we need to get to the bottom of the problem, and stop worrying about image

While the Bishops are not the whole problem they are certainly an important component of it, and without addressing that the problem will only continue and grow.