Rudy Employs Pal, An Accused Pedophile Priest

News about Republican presidential wannabe Rudy Giuliani's loyalty to a pal, an accused pedophile monsignor who was removed from his priestly duties, has moved from the web to network TV.

The story of Giuliani's longtime friendship with and employment of Catholic Monsignor Alan Placa first broke back in June, here, on Salon.com. This week ABC News covered it, here.

Placa gave Giuliani an annulment from his first marriage, officiated at his second marriage, baptised his children and eulogized at the funeral of the former NYC mayor's father and mother. Salon also notes that Placa's remarks can be found in many of the high profile stories that have been written about Giuliani.

In a Suffolk County, N.Y., 2002 grand jury report, Placa has been identified as "Priest F," according to Salon. Amidst descriptions of various perverted behaviors, the report notes that "Priest F was cautious, but relentless in his pursuit of victims." ("Because the alleged criminal acts had occurred more than five years ago, however, the statute of limitations meant no charges could be filed against any of the accused," per Salon.)

Here's what the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests' (SNAP) National Director David Clohessy had to say about the grand jury hearings, testimony against Placa and Giuliani's attitude toward the serving of justice in comments posted on ABC News' website.

A few facts:1) The three victims testified under oath to a grand jury.2) Had they told falsehoods, they could have faced prosecution.3) The grand jury was an unbiased a panel of citizens chosen by veteran prosecutors precisely because they had no connections to any parties involved.4) There are no civil lawsuits, so the notion of some financial gain by someone here is ridiculous.5) All of this happened long before Giuliani declared or even discussed his presidential bid, so any claim that there's some kind of partisan bias here is ridiculous.6) Even the priest's own bishop suspended him and won't reinstate him after five years. The bottom line is that Giuliani's saying "I don't care what the three victims, the prosecutor's office, the journalists, the grand jury or the Long Island bishop know or say. I'm sticking by my pal."

Posted by: snapclohessy Oct-23

Lost childhood, like children missing to abortion, means nothing to I-do-it-my-way-Giuliani. If those of us who care about the birth and well-being of youngsters settle for this candidate, God help us.

(c) 2007 Marybeth T. Hagan