An article criticizing the Bishop Accountability group's approach to handling accusations against priests in the Philippines. The author argues that the group's demand for public accountability is driven by sensationalism and undermines due process.
The circulating attack by the Bishop Accountability group that has made its way around through Rappler is unfair to the bishops and the priests of the Philippines. Firstly, it is not true that bishops conceal wrongdoing. They merely do not publicize their actions - whether administrative acts or penal sanctions following a canonical judicial process.
And this is for two reasons: first, for the protection of the victim, who may not want her (or his) name on television, radio or social media; second, for the protection of the reputation of the priest - who may eventually be exonerated of all charges. Holding someone accountable does not necessarily mean convicting them. If that were the case, every accusation would be presumed true - a position contrary to all the dictates of procedural fairness. A person accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If the courts of the Republic have hardly convicted any priest, it is because the Constitution has exacting standards for conviction: proof beyond reasonable doubt, and this holds true for all who are charged with a crime. If courts acquit or dismiss cases against priests, then it is because the courts find that the evidence adduced does not measure up to the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt. Bishops do not allow media to investigate cases against priests. First, because media is not empowered to investigate priests; second, because against adverse and biased media exposure, there is no appeal nor remedy; and third, because media is accountable to none in its reportage and coverage. And when the courts dismiss the charges against a priest, how does he redeem himself after all the shaming and the humiliation he receives at the hands of media? The group demands 'public accountability' and says that accountability that is not public is not accountability at all. What it wishes is sensationalism - the opportunity to wreck the credibility of the clergy and of the Church. There is accountability when a person who is charged with an offense is held accountable - whether it is publicized or not. What the group fails to mention is that so many charges against priests that were sensationalized and that made headlines have been dismissed, showing that many allegations are fabricated and unfounded and merely meant to ruin the reputation of the Catholic Church
Bishop Accountability Philippine Clergy Due Process Sensationalism Catholic Church
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