Priest Eduardo Lorenzo committed suicide last Monday at one of the Caritas headquarters in La Plata. He’d been accused of sexual abuse and corruption of 5 children between 1990 and 2008. The Archbishop of La Plata, Victor Manuel Fernández, showed grief and pity for “our brother Eduardo Lorenzo, who took his life after long months of enormous tension and suffering”. The Archbishop hasn’t shown equal sympathy towards the priest’s victims, though. They don’t seem to count.
This morning (Wednesday 18th), I drove past the Church in Gonnet where Lorenzo used to preach. There were many people ready to join the farewell Mass. I was shocked. Obviously, those Catholics see eye to eye with the Archbishop. They never stopped to think about the raped kids or their families either. Besides, isn’t suicide a sinful act for the Cathoic Church? I’m afraid Eduardo Lorenzo has taken to the grave with him the names of quite a few partners in crime. They must feel relieved. Silence is golden …
Pope Francis has just abolished the use of the Vatican’s highest level of secrecy in clergy sexual abuse cases. High time, isn’t it? Better late than never…
Published on Buenos Aires Times