I'm relieved yet saddened by the events of June 22, 2012.

Relieved because I believe justice has been served both in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case and, in Philadelphia, the case resulting in the conviction of a senior Catholic Church official for child endangerment. Saddened for those whose lives have been damaged by abuse in these particular cases and in so many others.

From Reuters:

A jury found former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 child sex abuse charges on Friday, ending a trial that rocked U.S. college football and renewed attention on pedophilia in America....

And from The Wall Street Journal:

A Philadelphia jury delivered a sharp rebuke of the Catholic Church's handling of allegations of sexual abuse by its priests, convicting for the first time a senior church official of not taking steps that could have prevented further attacks.

Msgr. William Lynn, who served as secretary for clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004, was found guilty on Friday of one count of child endangerment for allowing a priest to take a new assignment involving contact with children even after learning of allegations that he had engaged in inappropriate contact with at least one minor. The jury deadlocked in the case of another priest who was overseen by Msgr. Lynn and also on trial, the Rev. James Brennan....

As a practicing Catholic, I love-and will never leave-the Church; but I also realize, and have written about, the devastating effects of corrupt and abusive clergy and religious on the faith of many.  

It's sad and sickening.

Now, I will concede that some of the abuse allegations made over the last several years in numerous lawsuits against the Church are dubious at best. Still, it's absolutely foolish to minimize the scandal, which includes decades of sexual, financial and even catechetical corruption.

God bless the many good priests and nuns who labor and sacrifice daily; and God bless, heal and comfort the victims of abuse perpetrated by evil persons.