The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is suing the U.S. government for breaching a contract. Yet, as a survivor of clerical abuse, I can’t help but ask: where is this passion for justice and accountability when survivors cry out for help?
For decades, survivors of clerical abuse have begged church leaders for transparency, justice, and accountability. We have begged leaders to honor basic moral obligations: to protect the innocent, tell the truth, and take responsibility for their failures. Instead, many survivors have been ignored, dismissed, and even actively silenced. Time and time again, bishops have covered up crimes, moved predators from one assignment to another, and used legal loopholes and connections, to shield themselves from having to take responsibility. They have hidden behind bankruptcy filings because compensating victims became too much to handle. Yet now they demand that the courts intervene on their behalf when their own interests are at risk.
A bit hypocritical, no?
I am not for a moment suggesting that every member of the USCCB is corrupt, not is every church leader guilty of corruption. However, this lawsuit exposes a rather deep hypocrisy within Church leadership:
They cry “breach of contract,” but what about their own broken promises?
Bishops are furious that the government violated an agreement. They claim that this affects the lives of people who need help. What about their own broken promises? Why the sudden interest in protecting innocent lives? What about the spiritual contracts they shattered when they betrayed the trust of victims? What about the people entrusted to their care who they failed?
The USCCB has proven that it can and will fight for financial justice, just not for survivors.
Clearly, their own funding is of paramount importance. Suddenly, it’s necessary for bishops to rush to the courts. Yet, when survivors have fought for justice, they have often been ignored, or bankruptcy claims by many dioceses have avoided paying out settlements. Where was the legal fire of the bishops when given the opportunity to do right by those they harmed?
They want government money and yet cry “religious freedom.”
It is indeed interesting that the USCCB wants to avoid government oversight and yet gladly accepts government funding. They want the government to honor financial contracts but then cry “religious freedom” to shield themselves from accountability. They can’t have it both ways. If they want taxpayer money, they should expect to be held to the same ethical and legal standards as everyone else.
The double standard of “justice” is staggering.
The USCCB’s lawsuit suggests that when they are wronged, the courts must intervene. Justice suddenly becomes important and guilty parties must be held accountable. For decades, Church leaders fought tooth and nail against abuse survivors who sought justice. Why is justice only a top priority when it benefits them?
The USCCB shows a pattern of prioritizing power over people.
The Catholic Church has long considered itself as a moral authority (as it should). However, actions speak louder than words. Time and again, many leaders has prioritized power, money, and institutional survival over the well-being of the faithful, not to mention real justice. This lawsuit is just another example of that manipulative and abusive pattern. Leaders could fight harder for survivors, but they choose not to. Again, I am not suggesting that all church leaders are to blame, but there have been too many who have failed.
The USCCB’s lawsuit makes one thing painfully clear: the bishops know exactly how and when to demand justice and how to leverage the concept of “social justice” (in its most liberal interpretation) when it aligns with their agenda. If only they would fight just as hard to eradicate evil within the ranks of Church leadership, fight just as hard for survivors, and fight just as hard to defend the Holy Name of Jesus! So many of them haven’t. And that speaks volumes.
