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Bishops turn away group critical of Lincoln Diocese

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By NATE JENKINS / The Associated Press

Monday, Nov 12, 2007 - 05:04:09 pm CST

A group critical of the Lincoln Diocese for being the only one in the nation not to participate in a sex abuse survey said it was turned away Monday when it tried to hand-deliver petitions to bishops from across the country.

The Catholic reformist group Call to Action instead planned to use a person not known as a member of the group to sneak roughly 1,000 petitions into the hotel where the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was meeting in Baltimore, said a member of the group.

“It’s been very discouraging to us that our own bishops won’t meet with us,” said Call to Action national organizer Nicole Sotelo, who was in Baltimore.

Story Photo
Fabian Bruskewitz

A spokesman for the Lincoln Diocese called the attempt in Baltimore a publicity stunt, saying that the group’s motivation is not protecting children, but attacking Lincoln Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz. Members of Call To Action, who have long been critical of how the Catholic church handled allegations of sexual abuse of children by priests, were excommunicated by Bruskewitz in 1996.

That action was upheld by a Vatican official last year.

Monsignor Timothy Thorburn of Lincoln said in statement that Call to Action is “venting its ire” at the bishop for his decision to “not allow the group to operate in the Diocese of Lincoln because of its anti-Catholic doctrines.”

The Lincoln Diocese was the only one of 195 nationwide that refused last year to conduct the sex abuse audit, which was implemented by the same bishops’ group Call to Action tried to deliver the petitions to Monday.

The Lincoln Diocese participated in the initial audit in 2003, but has not taken part since.

It is also the only one in the country that does not allow women and girls to assist priests during Mass or serve at the altar.

About a dozen members of various groups calling for reforms to prevent sexual abuse tried to enter the Baltimore hotel where the bishops were meeting, according to Rachel Pokora, who tried to enter and is president of the Nebraska chapter of Call to Action.

“We were told we were not allowed on the property at all,” Pokora said.

A marketing director of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Bobby Vaughan, confirmed that the group was not allowed in the hotel but was uncertain of the reason why.

When it developed the audit several years ago, the bishops’ conference said it would take action against dioceses that didn’t take part and implement other policies designed to protect children. But no action has been taken against the Lincoln Diocese, said Gordon Peterson, a Call to Action member.

“It’s a disappointment ... because Bishop Bruskewitz has just thumbed his nose” at the policies from the bishops’ conference, Peterson said. “The position he takes is he’s only answerable to the pope.”

Studies for the bishops’ conference have found Roman Catholic priests have been accused of molesting more than 12,000 young people since 1950, and the allegations have cost the church more than $2 billion.

Bruskewitz could not be reached to comment Monday but said earlier this year that the abuse survey was pointless and that he wouldn’t assume wrongdoing by the diocese and its priests.

“We assume the other way — that our people are decent and good and that they don’t have to be continually monitored, checked and audited because they are not under suspicion,” Bruskewitz said.


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interesting wrote on November 12, 2007 5:22 pm:
" as a Catholic I find this disgusting - if you have nothing to hide why not participate in the study. The church has so many core issues - not letting women and girls assist with mass - I am sure they will continue to cash checks given and written by females! I find a lot of people of my generation (30's) have difficulty taking the church as it is - and many of us are looking for a different faith - one that, for example, doesn't exclude people for many different reasons. "

 JJ wrote on November 12, 2007 5:49 pm:
" So maybe the Nebraska State Patrol should down size and assume that all citizens are good and decent people. No more speed traps, highway check points on highly celebrated evenings. People won't speed or drive drunk because they are good, right? Yeah, most won't but some will, that has been proven. The ones that are obeying laws don't mind because they want to catch the ones that aren't. Is it worth one child to mildly offend a population with a proven history, even of just a few? I think it is. What about you Bishop? "

 Ryan Hattan wrote on November 12, 2007 5:51 pm:
" If you look further into the John Jay College of Law study, less than 150 of those 12,000 resulted in any criminal charges. And less than 50 resulted in actual guilt. Compare that to any career's statistics. How about teachers these days. It takes decades to build a career and only one allegation to ruin it. "

 Heather wrote on November 12, 2007 5:57 pm:
" besides the fact that even looking at the picture of Fabian Bruskewitz scares me a bit, I would say this organization has MUCH to hide. If not, they would welcome any sort of investigation that would find child abusers and flush them out of the system. "

 Christian wrote on November 12, 2007 6:04 pm:
" “We assume the other way — that our people are decent and good and that they don’t have to be continually monitored, checked and audited because they are not under suspicion,” Bruskewitz said. That line of thinking never got anyone in trouble. I'm ashamed that someone hasn't stepped in and demanded some action. I would assume that there are children paying the price for this jerk's arrogance. "

 norman wrote on November 12, 2007 6:14 pm:
" This is absolutely ridiculous, the only reason this obstructionist gets away it is because of the "Bishop" before his name. "

 Jason wrote on November 12, 2007 7:06 pm:
" How anyone with young children could still be attending any service or event at a catholic church in this diocese is mind boggling. I wouldn't let my kid within 50 yards of a catholic church in this diocese "

 Observer wrote on November 12, 2007 7:29 pm:
" OK, everybody sing along, "Give that old time religion..." "

 What are they hiding? wrote on November 12, 2007 8:26 pm:
" What do they have to hide? If Lincoln is the only one out of 195 to choose not to do this, that begs the question...what on earth are they protecting, or what do they have to hide? Mayebe there is more to this, and I hope call to action continues their quest for the truth here. Something really stinks with this, and it starts at the top. Lets face it, the catholic church has had more than it's share of peodifiles in the ranks. To clear the air and be certain nothing like that has happened, or is happening, is to be open..it's the only way to clear this up. If the bishop isn't smart enough to figure that out, then maybe the catholic church better start looking for a new leader who understands in this day of age openiness is more imortant than secretcy with this subject. "

 Good wrote on November 12, 2007 8:59 pm:
" It was all a publicity stunt. I can't believe this is even "news"! Ridiculous. Why should the bishop allow these people who are harassing catholics, onto their property? "

 BOB wrote on November 12, 2007 9:09 pm:
" Bishop Bruskewitz should know that discrimination of any kind is aganist the Federal Law of the United States of America. Maybe the United States Attorney General's Office should start an investigation into the poliies of the Lincoln Diocese. Then we will see what is what! "

 proud Catholic wrote on November 12, 2007 9:15 pm:
" I am on Bishop Buskewitz's side on this and everything else he says. People think it's wrong not to participate in a survey-it is a waste of time-no one wants to hear anything posistive anyway, especially these Call Action people, they have been out to get Bishop Bruskewitz ever since he excommunicated them(with the support of the POPE) They want to remain Catholic but do unCatholic things! I am proud to be Catholic and feel that Fabian Bruskewitz is a great leader. Being Catholic isn't always easy or popular but if that's what you base your faith on, join the crowd, but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD. "

 Jeff wrote on November 12, 2007 9:49 pm:
" Ho hum...wait a few months and yet another hit piece on the good bishop and the diocese. And then read all the comments from the "thinking" Catholics, disgusted and looking for a "new" faith...one that allows them to be "independent" and able to do whatever they want. You can set your clock by these things. You people are sad. I actually pity you. And what does the sentence regarding altar girls, buried in the middle of this hit piece by the reporter have to do with the subject of the article anyhow? It only further displays the slant and bias of this "reporter." "

 SL wrote on November 12, 2007 10:33 pm:
" I am proud of Bishop Bruskewitz for taking a stand and saying "no". I am proud that the Bishop stands for Tradition and not the "go with the flow or with what is popular" and change Mass to fit individual's opinions of how it should be done. "

 Jeff wrote on November 12, 2007 10:43 pm:
" If he knew who you Catholics were that had posted these negative comments - he would excommuniate you (which is actually a long word for "free you". "

 Eric wrote on November 12, 2007 10:50 pm:
" Just another nail in the coffin for the rapidly decling Catholic Church. Maybe someday man will realize religion is a FARCE. "

 john wrote on November 12, 2007 10:56 pm:
" in the 2000 years of the Catholic church, there have been scandals. yet the church remains, 'the gates of hell shall never prevail' have others? how many empires have risen and fallen in that time? how many faiths? the lincoln diocese is steadfast. "

 Michael wrote on November 12, 2007 11:36 pm:
" Wow, glad they finally had the backbone to stand up to that anti-catholic group. Call to action essentially wants the Catholic church to be protestant, yet still called Catholic. It amazing that they don't realize that they have rejected the teachings of the Church. There are at least 30000 denominations that they can join. They can also create one of their own. Instead, they just like bashing the Catholic Church and especially those bishops who take a stand for morality and upright conduct. That will conquer this problem (which is pretty much gone away with the 70's 'enlightenment' - just read the serious studies). Bishop Bruskewitz is one of the few who has an overflowing seminary - he knows his method is good. A few more good quotes from Bruskewitz would have helped this article tremendously and explained his position on altar girls which makes a lot of sense compared to the sensationalist who wrote this article and just tossed it out there. Our archdiocese has implemented a worldly system instead of a Christian one - that is sad. That is just the thing that got us into this mess anyway. The reason the good Bishop doesn't do the study is that he actually runs his diocese and demands morality from his priests. To bad the writer didn't point out that the 12000 (incorrect number) 'young people' were mostly teenagers in the past and that it pales in comparison to those molested CURRENTLY by schoolteachers (1300+ in only 4 years only counting those punished). I know the article was mainly about the anti-catholic roup call to action, but some sense of proportion is in order. We need more good Bishops like Bruskewitz who call people, as Christ did, to 'go and sin no more'. "

 JK wrote on November 12, 2007 11:50 pm:
" Can't wait to see how much money the Lincoln's Diocese has to pay when they finally have their own sexual abuse problem. It is only a matter of time. "

 what about others? wrote on November 13, 2007 5:33 am:
" what about other professions too then? look at the school teacher in Lexington -- there were COMPLAINTS against her already but nothing done to her - they were 'checking' into it. Look at all the sex abuse teachers do and get by with - so maybe ALL SCHOOLS should implement a policy NOW and submit to this like you are suggesting the Church do - after all, teacher are around kids a lot more than the priests are - and on a daily basis - not to mention coaches - games/showers/buses - possiblities are endless - so if you are going to get on the monitoring of the Church -- (which I don't think is necessary) -- I think you should monitor the teachers -- also, what about the teacher in Omaha recently who had drugs in her possession!!! These are the people who should be monitored!!!!!!!!!!! They are with our youth ALL DAY EVERY DAY....... "

 So.... wrote on November 13, 2007 5:54 am:
" They will "Take Action" on groups that don't participate??? With what??? A slap on the wrist???? These people have SOMETHING to hide. What is it?? I don't see a problem with an investigation if you have nothing to hide. They have internal and otside investigations of other groups. Including, but not limited to, police, fire, senators, congressional members. What does the group in Lincoln hiding and what are they so afraid of???? Come clean Bishop and let us know!!!!! "

 Dee wrote on November 13, 2007 7:31 am:
" The thing is Jesus would have never turned anyone one away "

 Dee wrote on November 13, 2007 7:32 am:
" But then again its pretty clear what the Bible says about casing pearls before swine "

 Buddha wrote on November 13, 2007 7:55 am:
" Despite my moniker, I am a Christian. I must ask this, as a believer of Christ: Did the Bishop pray to God on this matter before he made the decision, or did he just follow his arrogance? Did the Bishop pray to God on the matter of the folks he was going to excommunicate, or just followed his arrogance and church law? We Christians are taught to pray to God and put matters in His hands. Doesn't sound like the Bishop practices what the apostles preached! "

 Josh wrote on November 13, 2007 8:38 am:
" I find it interesting that a group of Catholics trying to reform the church and prevent sexual abuse by leaders were ex-communicated from that church. How sad. "

 Sean wrote on November 13, 2007 8:55 am:
" My wife and I are members of the church. We came from another state and when we started going to church we were amazed at how turn of the century this Diocese is! Girls can't do any alter duties! This whole Diocese is very strange. We haven't gone to church since we heard that the church is not wanting to support any investigations. Not a big deal but they are loosing out on a great deal of money we now give to the city mission. I think there needs to be a big investigation. Something isnt right.We have kids now and no chance am I going to bring them into something like that. "

 Interesting wrote on November 13, 2007 8:58 am:
" Very interesting. As I note in the Bible that Jesus did not turn sinners or criminals or anyone away that disagreed with him. Yet these Bishops don't want to hear about how one single diocese did not participate. One would raise an eyebrow at that...if all of the Bishops beleive those serving the Church are innocent and have done nothing wrong, then why did they all complete the survey, except one? I have lost respect for the Catholic church and the Lincoln Diocese. If there is nothing to hide, then why not show it? Open up and let your community know what is going on behind your closed doors. "

 Tim wrote on November 13, 2007 9:07 am:
" Lincoln is the ONLY Diocese people who has failed to participate!!! The ONLY one!!! We no longer go to church in digust. All the talk of ex-communication is very silly. If you want to ex-communicate me for not supporting your lies and crimes than go ahead. I'm not for this cult any more! "

 Mom wrote on November 13, 2007 9:20 am:
" It's all about "Give me some OLD time religion", Tradition is what this is about, and the tradition is about hiding molesters!!! "

 Bruskewitz Supporter wrote on November 13, 2007 9:29 am:
" I support my Bishop. I'm glad we don't have altar girls. I've been to Mass in Omaha where they do allow altar girls and they don't participate during Communion time which is the most essential time for altar servers. At the parish in Omaha that I've been to, they don't even ring the special bells during the Consecration. I'm glad Lincoln diocese has an overflowing seminary, too. "

 John wrote on November 13, 2007 9:37 am:
" I love those who try to justify it by saying "what about others that abuse kids". Shouldn't they be followed closely too. YES, is the answer. And those people have at least been subject to the laws of the land in the past. Only recently have the clergy been given to the justice system. The survey might be useless when it comes to actually detecting or preventing more abuse. But being the only diocese in the country to refuse to particpate sends a clear message - is it arrogance, stubbornness, denial. Just do the survey and pick your battle on something else. "

 scary wrote on November 13, 2007 9:52 am:
" The scary part about the Lincoln Diocese is that it puts more emphasis on Catholic 'doctrine' then on the actual teachings of Jesus Himself. It's Jesus who is Lord, people, not your bishop. Wake up already & take a look at what this man is REALLY like. "

 Thankful Catholic wrote on November 13, 2007 9:54 am:
" Did anyone notice that Call to Action was turned away not by Bishop Bruskewitz personally, but by the U.S. Conference of Bishops? But I guess it's so much easier to turn him into the bad guy. "

 Questioning wrote on November 13, 2007 10:20 am:
" Maybe Bishop Bruskewitz is the one who has something to hide? It was my understanding that Jesus would never turn anyone away? Seems quite hypocritical to me. "

 Get real wrote on November 13, 2007 10:23 am:
" Wow, some selective reading going on here, folks. The Diocese of Lincoln DID participate in the audit in 2003. What was turned up? Nothing new. The policy of this diocese has always been that a child molester hiding as a priest, sister, Catholic school teacher, whatever, is immediately turned over to the police. If the other dioceses in the country had practiced this sensible policy, there wouldn't be a Catholic clergy sex abuse scandal at all. So the bishop saw that the audit has very little usefulness. In fact, the people who conducted the audit themselves in the first 2 years said the same exact thing -- the audit is pretty much worthless when it comes to actually protecting kids. What DOES protect kids? Vigilant parents who don't leave their children alone with other adults and who raise their kids with love and self confidence. Policies like the Diocese of Lincoln has that does not allow priests, teachers or volunteers to EVER be alone one on one with a child. More policies like turning abusers over to civil authorities instead of hiding them. Background checks and proper training. So many of you make claims against the bishop and the diocese that are COMPLETELY unfounded. The fact is, steps HAVE been taken to actually protect kids and programs and policies are constantly scrutinized for improvement. Your kid is as safe or safer attending Catholic Mass with your family or attending Catholic school than they would be going to public school, scout camp or anywhere else you want to take them. Call to Action has NO plan to protect kids. They're just full of sour grapes. They use the audit as a platform, but the audit has done NOTHING to protect kids. Just ask the kids who were molested by a California priest in the last couple years...in a diocese that DID do the audit. It's worthless! "

 Josh2 wrote on November 13, 2007 10:53 am:
" It is all about perception. OK - so the first audit they did didn't turn up anything. If so, why not participate and end the controversy? By being the only diocese not participating and with the adamant opposition to the audit, it gives the perception that the diocese has something to hide. All the actions of the Lincoln Diocese have done is to create controversy, bad publicity, and ill will. It reminds me of a little kid (and some adults) stomping up and down screaming that they don't want to go to bed - even though it is good for them. Maybe the good bishop should grow up. "

 T wrote on November 13, 2007 11:54 am:
" your arguement reminds me of the Iranian President who was in denial - saying they don't have gay people in Iran. You say that since the diocese has always had a policy that it would report abuse and turn priests over to authorities - therefore there has never been a problem with child abuse here. That really defies logic. The survey may be totally useless, but the refusal to complete it speaks volumes about stubborness, arrogance, etc. "

 Support Bishop wrote on November 13, 2007 12:01 pm:
" I fully support our Bishop's decision to not participate in this audit. Could you imagine if there was such an audit for teachers with their union and the State Department of Education behind them? I commend the Bishop for not oiling the squeaky wheel. Finger pointers the "Call to Action" group is taking on the judgement that only God should give. Look at your own consciences before looking at the Bishop's. We are all sinners. Some of the other comments about the diocese too are "wow" just because a girl cannot serve mass is not a reason to not go to church. If that is your feeling that you want to make your own rules in life and cannot follow any rules. That's kinda like saying a man should be able to have a baby, are you made at God for that too? "

 spare me wrote on November 13, 2007 12:07 pm:
" For those comparing the actions of priests guilty of child molesting to other professions, the most important fact that you are omitting is that the leadership of other professions has not moved to systematically shelter and protect child molesters within its midst like the Catholic church did for decades while more and more children continued to be molested by those same priests and others within the church. The church cared more for its undeserved and false reputation than it did about the well-being of children and families. Humans will fail, but when the leadership of an organization systematically endeavors to protect failures so that they can continue to do harm, there is no defense for its actions. As a former Catholic I am baffled how anybody can continue to attend such a morally bankrupt institution. And, for any leader of the institution to posture self-righteous over this issue, as Lincoln's bishop continually does, is alternatingly maddening and laughable, but in the end simply repugnant. "

 Nina wrote on November 13, 2007 12:31 pm:
" Yes, even the church can be very political and repressive. This article made me marvel in comparison about last week's inspiring LJS article about the Catholic lady who is a chaplain for those in hospice, assisted living, etc. How on earth did she get to be a chaplain in Lincoln, NE, when the Bruskewitz won't even allow females to read scripture during a worship service, or serve at the altar? Something doesn't add up here, and I'm curious to have it explained to me. "

 Jen wrote on November 13, 2007 12:37 pm:
" And people wonder why I choose to be agnostic. "

 WWJD wrote on November 13, 2007 1:41 pm:
" Would Jesus have taken this survey? Did he refuse to answer the questions people asked of him? Seems like he was always being open and answering his critics with honesty, not avoidance. "

 could it be? wrote on November 13, 2007 1:43 pm:
" It is interesting to note that if Fabian Bruskewitz's seminary is "overflowing" as it's been reported...could it possibly be due to the fact that those attending will have security in the fact that they are "safe". That the Bishop will not take part in any surveys now or perhaps in the future? For those contemplating where to attend seminary, who wouldn't run to that in a heartbeat? "

 MAG wrote on November 13, 2007 1:47 pm:
" Kudos to Bishop Bruskewitz for not giving in to the bullying tactics of Call to Action! Who do they think they are?? The Catholic faith and Truth are not decided by majority vote and that is one reason why it has lasted for 2000 years. To say children aren't being protected because Bishop Bruskewitz won't do what Call To Action wants is stupid and illogical at best...as if this is the only way to protect our children?? I think Call To Action should stop this ridiculous witch hunt! "

 All Glory to God wrote on November 13, 2007 1:52 pm:
" The Diocese of Lincoln and Bishop Bruskewitz give the entire Christian community a black eye and ammunition for the non-believers........they have totally lost touch with the message of Jesus....they should be ashamed of themselves and will be judged by our God..... "

 such silliness wrote on November 13, 2007 1:58 pm:
" I can't believe the stubborness of the people who make claims of arrogance by saying they're not going to participate in the Church because of what some people have done or the decision that have been made. Leadership in many other arenas of society have made horrible mistakes, but we should forgive them. Why are the opinions of people so much more important than finding out the facts? Rather than cowardly running away from the Faith, those people must first find ways, based on love and the Gospel, to ammend their differences and seek the truth, rather than lives their lives dependent upon what they hear from a biased, secualar media. There is so much more truth that exists than what the Lincoln Journal Star is willing to print. "

 Marky Mark former Catholic wrote on November 13, 2007 2:01 pm:
" What have these hypocritic crooks got to hide...the richest organization in the world has given out billions as payoff for the rampant employee pedophilia. Someday, people, you will realize that religion is a myth invented as a capitalistic venture feeding off the mythology of God, Rabbi Jesus and don't forget Noah's ark. Fact is most, Catholics really don't buy into it anymore.....If you truly believed in the Christianity along with the Catholic Doctrine, you wouldnt date miss mass now would you? "

 Theresa wrote on November 13, 2007 2:22 pm:
" The Church is blatant example of a Dictatorship. "

 Jenn wrote on November 13, 2007 2:45 pm:
" Why are girls and women inferior in the catholic religon? Why are they not able to help out? Where in the Bible does it say that we are inferior? I know to honor my husband, but I don't see where the Bible says I can not worship like my husband. (I hope LJS publishes this comment) "

 NO GIRLS ALLOWED? wrote on November 13, 2007 2:51 pm:
" What kind of religion shuts out girls and women from serving? On the face of it, facts simply show an all-boys club disguised as a diocese, whose sole duty is to protect its historical secrets and scare its parishoners into obedience of these warped values. This diocese has a lot of money spilling into political contributions, and Nebraska's separation of church and state is a hazy blur. Women and girls aren't really allowed to fully participate in our surrounding society either. If I was a catholic and was or cared about women or young boys, I would run for my life from this cult. The continued cultivation of ONLY young boys and men to alter service suggests pedophelia at the worst, and illegal sexual discrimination. Otherwise, girls and women would be allowed. To then deny the audit on moral high grounds is simply an easy excuse to allow this denigration, sexism, abuse and inequity to continue. "

 John wrote on November 13, 2007 3:28 pm:
" One previous poster said that Call to Action wants to claim to be Catholic but does "un-catholic" things. I do not see what is uncatholic about examining a very serious problem in our institution and trying to find a solution to it. I think all catholics should engage in thoughtful and critical examination of our church. Being part of God's flock does not entail being a thoughtless member of the herd. Furthermore, catholic bishops have shown over the last few decades that they are either incapable or unable of properly addressing the sexual abuse in the clergy.They need help which groups like Call to Action can provide. "

 Ryan wrote on November 13, 2007 3:34 pm:
" What were the petitions for? It never said, and then the board becomes a Bishop Bashing session. Poor reporting and even poorer reading. "

 Frantic wrote on November 13, 2007 4:28 pm:
" As a parent of a former seminarian, I was frantic by having my son out there in this system. I think by not complying with this audit only shows how inflexible and elitist this diocese is. They appear to try to be above everything, even the recommendations of the Church (and every other dicoese that complies with this recommendation). I often wonder about the skeletons in the closet in this diocese and it scares me to death. "

 JCB wrote on November 13, 2007 4:31 pm:
" The Lincoln Catholic's have NO mind of their own. What ever reactionary Fabian says is treated like it is direct from the bible. He is their living "idol"! "

 JoBeth wrote on November 13, 2007 5:18 pm:
" so if our people are decent and good why have comfession or church at all? We're all going to heaven. "

 Steve wrote on November 13, 2007 6:41 pm:
" I do believe it is easier to ridicule the Bishop and the Church, than to face the fact that we all feel guilty because down deep we know there is a God and we fear of His inevitable judgement. It is easier to make fun of the Bishop than face our own sinfullness. "

 Open Invitation wrote on November 13, 2007 8:18 pm:
" The theology of the Catholic Church is too rich and complicated to be summed up on a discussion board post. For those that are upset or wanting to know more about Catholic theology, I encourage you to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This invitation is not a demand that you embrace our beliefs, but an invitation in interreligious dialogue. So long as the assumption is made that the Catholic is archaic, out of touch, and discriminatory toward its members, it is unlikely that non-Catholics and Catholics will come to an understanding of one another. Coming to the discussion with open hearts and the compassion modeled in Christ will help us to understand one another better, although perhaps not perfectly. The Catholic Church has a long, complicated and rich history (as it was instituted by Christ while he was on earth). Unlike our Protestant brothers and sisters, our beliefs are not based on "sola scriptura" (scripture alone). Consequently, there is a large body of literature that comprises the theology of the Catholic Church. I am a lifelong Catholic, and I am continually learning and reading more about Catholic theology. I see that the issue of female participation in the Mass is (not surprisingly) a source of contention. If you do not understand why a church could exclude its female members from a certain part of the worship service or are wanting to know something else about the Catholic Church, please ask. The dialogue cannot happen so long as ears are shut to the answer. So long as we remain callous toward one another on matters of religion, it is unlikely we shall ever come to an understanding of each other. "

 Grrr wrote on November 13, 2007 9:06 pm:
" The last I checked, Bruskewitz was not the Pope, though he acts like one. I am ashamed that he is a Bishop. "

 Blind faith? wrote on November 13, 2007 9:22 pm:
" I think its commendable that the Bishop has such faith & thinks highly of the people who work under him in his diocese. It's rare to see that nowadays. However, I think the Bishop is setting himself as well as the diocese up for a big fall. In this day & age, you can never have too many safe guards in place when it comes to the protection of children against sexual molesters. By undergoing the survey, I think it'd help with more peace of mind for those in charge of kids or working with kids. "

 dd wrote on November 13, 2007 9:23 pm:
" I am disgusted as well, only with all of you who think the Bishop is doing the wrong thing by staying away from an audit that means nothing. Out of the 194 other diocese, how many bad priest were caught because of the audit? Don't group our great diocese with others who are less diligent. Those who move priest around to protect them should have the book thrown at them, and it is. Don't believe all the garbage Call to Action is spewing because they can't have their way. They are like spoiled brats who cry and throw a tantrum when they don't get their way. "

 Huh? wrote on November 13, 2007 9:41 pm:
" I don't like or agree with Call to Action's tactics. There are better ways to make their points. I don't think it'd hurt the Lincoln diocese to do the survey. "

 Watching from Iowa where it's safe! wrote on November 14, 2007 8:18 am:
" I feel sorry for you folks out there in the Lincoln Diocese! Geez! Seems that your Diocese is stuck in the 1960s! I've been there in Lincoln to mass! I've seen it! It was a very odd experience! No girl mass servers? No women serving near the alter? I remember this kind of treatment from my childhood in the 1960s. The same was done here at that time long ago. It was this same kind of thinking that made the little girls sit on the sidelines while the boys got to exclusively play sports. The girls had to sit on the sidelines like a dog and be content with something less. As if they were somehow flawed? It was so bizarre! I still find this treatment insulting when I see it happen in Lincoln at church. I am thinking that instead of Nebraska being the "Cornhusker State" it should be called "The Land that Time Forgot"! Bishop Buskewitz seems to be a guy that wants to desperately cling onto the past and resists evolving with the rest of the Catholic Church. He is like the cat that gets too high in the tree and then seems to not know how to get back down. He relys too much on the privlage of his position and not on where he is in the tree and how far he can fall. So, all he can do now is to hold on tight and hope that no one shakes the tree! He would also hope that it does not get very windy, but, thats God's choice. "

 Patrick wrote on November 14, 2007 8:24 am:
" The Bishop represents the church and as such, he knows what he is doing! He just refuses to be intimidated by a renegade group of misguided individuals. The Bishop would never protect the deviant or predator. "

 Lincolnite wrote on November 14, 2007 8:48 am:
" The Lincoln Diocese has the choice to take the survey or not. This is America for goodness sake. If they do not want to submit to this, more power to them. Everyone else can then make their own judgements and opinions accordingly. They should have agreed to take the survey and then answered every question in the most benign manner (N/A, 3's on a 1 to 5 scale, no comment on any question that asks for an explanation). Then they could say they participated and all you naysayers would shutup. "

 peb wrote on November 14, 2007 9:39 am:
" If thinking got in the way of some of the commenters, a new day might dawn! Mr. Bruskewitz is a mere man. The Catholic religion is a manmade religion just like the other thousands of religions that exist in this world. It's not "if" a child is sexually molested by a priest in the Lincoln diocese, but a "when." Priests are mere men and the priests in the Lincoln diocese have no greater control over their mental illnesses than the priests who have gotten caught. "

 Grundle wrote on November 14, 2007 10:26 am:
" Seems to me that Call to Action is trying to violate the 4th Amendment of the Constitution. Where is the probable cause for demanding such a study (essentially a search)? The fact that sexual abuse violations have been discovered in other Catholic churches across the country? Such a basis amounts to profiling. "

 Marky Mark former Catholic wrote on November 14, 2007 11:33 am:
" The Catholic church is the richest entity in the world, which is what the purpose of this whole man-man mythology. Capitalism. I left the Catholic church because I went thru a brief marriage and divorce as a young man...the church then pretty much excommunicated me for remarrying my current wife of 25 yrs....Now, about the same time, a Catholic Doctor in our town married 25 yrs with 10 children gets an annullment by the Catholic church (assumingly because of his larger donations.) Now, how can you annull 10 kids? How hypocritical. There is at least one Catholic pope that spoke of the "Mythology of Christ"..One word for the Catholic Church. Bogus! "

 JCB wrote on November 16, 2007 5:14 pm:
" The most reactionary Catholic diocese in American. Try to act like it's the 21st century. "

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