TSA hires ex-priest charged with sex abuse

[Guest]

The TSA has hired a defrocked priest who was fired for sexually abusing young girls over many years, and gave him a sensitive security job in Philadelphia International Airport.

I guess this is the perfect followup job for a sex abuser.

Doesn't the government make you feel safe?

I-Team: Priest Removed From Ministry Due To Sex Abuse Allegations Now Works At PHL « CBS Philly (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/05/24/i-team-priest-removed-from-ministry-due-to-sex-abuse-allegations-works-at-phl/)

[Guest]

The TSA has hired a defrocked priest who was fired for sexually abusing young girls over many years, and gave him a sensitive security job in Philadelphia International Airport.

I guess this is the perfect followup job for a sex abuser.

Doesn't the government make you feel safe?

I-Team: Priest Removed From Ministry Due To Sex Abuse Allegations Now Works At PHL « CBS Philly (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/05/24/i-team-priest-removed-from-ministry-due-to-sex-abuse-allegations-works-at-phl/)

About as safe as the Catholic church does. :boom:

[Guest]

Bishop Accountability (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2005_10_16_Phillips_ProfilesOf.htm)

[Guest]

Read the article. The priest was not found guilty of anything since no charges were ever filed. The catholic church did the usual wimpy thing of paying off families to settle the suits. No criminal charges were filed - no criminal record exists. Is it fair that someone would be denied a job based upon unproved allegations from others?

If the allegations had resulted in criminal charges - then the ex-priest would not have been hired by TSA. He would have been promoted to monsignor or cardinal in the catholic church.

[Guest]

A priest a child molester. NO how could that be. LOL

[Guest]

The point is, a child molester is a TSA employee.

[Guest]

The point is, a child molester is a TSA employee.

I think the article says he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued. I would not hire a priest or x to mow my lawn, but if he was Innocent, whats the beef. Just being a priest puts him in very bad company, but Innocent until proven guilty is the law of the land.

[Guest]

Villager II, could you copy and paste the line in the article Richie posted where it says, "he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued?"

[Guest]

Villager II, could you copy and paste the line in the article Richie posted where it says, "he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued?"

You give me too much credit. I can just get by typing and hitting the send button. Go back and If you use your mouse to click on the link, you can read it and see. Thats what I did. Now if you want some that did have charges filed and convictions made, go to goggle and type in catholic priest molestation cases and you will find so many you will have reading material for years to come.

But, this guy had no charges and their fore, never a conviction nor a record. I don't like the x priest thing either, but that does not make it OK to degrade the TSA for something that the Catholic Church criminally covered up for one of their perverts.

[Guest]

I'm sure you can count. Just tell me the paragraph where the statement, "he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued," is located.

[Guest]

I'm sure you can count. Just tell me the paragraph where the statement, "he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued," is located.

Look, BK, I am on your side of this coin, but the Catholic Church covered up the perverted actions of this priest so the TSA did not know of the allegations. Yes the Catholic Church is the criminal here not the TSA. I agree he should not be working there, but without a charge and or a conviction for child molestation, what can an employer do.

[Guest]

The statements you said were in the article aren't in the article, The Villager II. Is that what you are saying?

[Guest]

I am lost...VILLAGER2 is obviously making things up here.....this is in the article...

"But the Diocese of Camden removed him from ministry because it found he sexually abused two young girls. Now, in a new lawsuit, a third woman is claiming she also is one of Harkins’ victims."

I am a bit slow at times but this seems pretty clear, no ??

[Guest]

It seems clear to me, Bucco. I thought maybe I'd missed something when I read the article. Apparently not.

[Guest]

If the allegations had resulted in criminal charges - then the ex-priest would not have been hired by TSA. He would have been promoted to monsignor or cardinal in the catholic church.

:mornincoffee: Buggy, I like your blend of humor and cynacism.

[Guest]

The statements you said were in the article aren't in the article, The Villager II. Is that what you are saying?

No what are you talking about.

[Guest]

I am lost...VILLAGER2 is obviously making things up here.....this is in the article...

"But the Diocese of Camden removed him from ministry because it found he sexually abused two young girls. Now, in a new lawsuit, a third woman is claiming she also is one of Harkins’ victims."

I am a bit slow at times but this seems pretty clear, no ??

That may be clear in your view, but in the view of the United States Judicial system, a man is Innocent until proven guilty. Show me the conviction of this priest please.

[Guest]

Wake up. The TSA cannot be held responsible for alligations covered up by the Catholic Church. No Charge, no Conviction, No record. How simple does it have to be for some to understand. gggeeeezzzzz

[Guest]

It seems very strange to me that people will take every opportunity to swipe at the Catholic Church and completely ignore a discussion about an atrocity being done by the US government through the TSA.

[Guest]

I'm sure you can count. Just tell me the paragraph where the statement, "he was Innocent of the allegations and they were never pursued," is located.

When was he convicted?

[Guest]

He was convicted by the Church when he was booted as an ordained priest in 2002 for allegation of molesting two little girls. I understand what you are saying that it wasn't taken to a court of law. But that doesn't void the acts that he is accused of doing to children. The only reason he hasn't been charged is because of the statute of limitations. Remember how enraged everyone was over the Ledbetter case with discrimination charges and the statute of limitations? Why isn't anyone enrgaged over this?

[Guest]

There is a possibility that the ex-priest did what was said against him but NO CRIMINAL CHARGES were ever filed against him. Therefore, he is not a criminal, ex-offender, or anything else in the eyes of the law. He was removed from his office by the catholic church. That alone does not disqualify him for a job in the government or in the private sector.

He is a baggage supervisor - does not have contact with screening passengers.

[Guest]

He was convicted by the Church when he was booted as an ordained priest in 2002 for allegation of molesting two little girls. I understand what you are saying that it wasn't taken to a court of law. But that doesn't void the acts that he is accused of doing to children. The only reason he hasn't been charged is because of the statute of limitations. Remember how enraged everyone was over the Ledbetter case with discrimination charges and the statute of limitations? Why isn't anyone enrgaged over this?

I see now where the disconnect came from now. Because this is the United States of America and not the Catholic States of America. We have laws in this country that have nothing to do with the Church. Just because a church finds someone guilty of something, that does not mean a poot in the wind for the normal American. The Church criminally screwed this up and not the TSA so you anger should be directed at the Church and not the Government. This is a shocking revelation for me to think someone would consider someone guilty of a felony just because some one in the church says it is so. So yes I am enraged at the Church for their criminal actions in letting a child molester go out into the public without reporting him. Shameful. Somebody owes the TSA an apology for this.

[Guest]

I see now where the disconnect came from now. Because this is the United States of America and not the Catholic States of America. We have laws in this country that have nothing to do with the Church. Just because a church finds someone guilty of something, that does not mean a poot in the wind for the normal American. The Church criminally screwed this up and not the TSA so you anger should be directed at the Church and not the Government. This is a shocking revelation for me to think someone would consider someone guilty of a felony just because some one in the church says it is so. So yes I am enraged at the Church for their criminal actions in letting a child molester go out into the public without reporting him. Shameful. Somebody owes the TSA an apology for this.

VillagerII,

Remember, these are the people who wanted Rick Santorum as their president - so he could form the Catholic States of America. Pay them no mind and they will go away just like the "poot in the air". Unpleasant for a minute but then it disappears.

[Guest]

The male heirarchy of the catholic church chastises nuns for paying to much attention to the poor and downtrodden in the world while they continue to molest children and sweep it under the rug. What's wrong with that picture? Makes me wonder why a woman would ever want to be a Catholic....or anyone for that matter. :(

[Guest]

It seems very strange to me that people will take every opportunity to swipe at the Catholic Church and completely ignore a discussion about an atrocity being done by the US government through the TSA.

Funny thing is that I subscribe to a number of sites where there are forums, and this one, sitting in the beautiful Villages is by far the single most hateful forum toward churches. Not sure what that says, but I find it interesting that this hate for religion exists here.

And let me clarify, it IS hate for religion......while men have committed terrible sins as are continually pointed out, NOBODY does point out that the sins are of individual men and use hate filled expressions to talk of Catholics yet on other threads rise up and defend the islamic faith against almost all criticism. Then are ok with the killing of same Islamic folks in villages with drones.

Quite interesting !

[Guest]

Bucco: you and I are sync. I read the posts and was taken aback because instead of posters expressing concern that sexual molestation appears to be everywhere in Amercia some posters simply beat the Catholic Church to the ground.

I am admittedly a nominal catholic. However I believe the Catholic Church has done more good than harm. and yes, I was also as upset about the inaction taken by superiors in the Catholic church. I let the Catholic Church hear my voice on that issue long ago.

But I am perplex that no one mentioned the molesters found in just about every organization dealing with children in the world and /or those held to the public's trust. I am surprised that no one mentioned the females teachers who are hitting on young boys or football coaches or boy scout leaders, etc etc etc. If folks are going to discriminate then please do it fairly...fairly discriminate. but most important of all direct your aggressive energy toward a constructive solution . I was taught as were many of you that a child has to be treated as a protected species

Look at the way young children are being used today, treated today, exposed to movies, television shows that warp their minds and do not provide ample opportunity to be just kids.

Molestation is on the rise because some segments of our society encourage it and perhaps without realizing the unintended consequence of what they have produced.

I'll now get off my soapbox....sorry

[Guest]

" an atrocity being done by the US government through the TSA."

It looks as though someone has forgotten some basic law concept - innocent until PROVEN guilty. The catholic church removed a priest based on allegations and paid off the accusers.

This priest, according to US law, is innocent until proven guilty and no charges were ever brought against him. How can someone be guilty of a crime when no criminal charges were ever brought up? If there had been a basis for criminal charges, the families could have pressed charges at the time of the incident - instead of being paid off by the catholic church. Sounds as though it was more profitable for them to be paid off rather than to get justice for their child.

I would like to hear from some of the supporters of the catholic church about the practice of paying off accusers for their silence and what they think of the ones who accept the payments - especially the parents of a child who accused a priest. Wouldn't pressing criminal charges be the better move than to take monetary payments for silence?

As for the TSA, the employee will have no contact with screening passengers.

[Guest]

" an atrocity being done by the US government through the TSA."

It looks as though someone has forgotten some basic law concept - innocent until PROVEN guilty. The catholic church removed a priest based on allegations and paid off the accusers.

This priest, according to US law, is innocent until proven guilty and no charges were ever brought against him. How can someone be guilty of a crime when no criminal charges were ever brought up? If there had been a basis for criminal charges, the families could have pressed charges at the time of the incident - instead of being paid off by the catholic church. Sounds as though it was more profitable for them to be paid off rather than to get justice for their child.

I would like to hear from some of the supporters of the catholic church about the practice of paying off accusers for their silence and what they think of the ones who accept the payments - especially the parents of a child who accused a priest. Wouldn't pressing criminal charges be the better move than to take monetary payments for silence?

As for the TSA, the employee will have no contact with screening passengers.

Thank you. It seems so basic simple to me that never charged never convicted, never guilty e. e. Innocent in the eyes of the us law. Now if you go beyond that and allow a bogus law like the pope or worse, then you are talking treason against my country. Don't do that please.

[Guest]

" an atrocity being done by the US government through the TSA."

It looks as though someone has forgotten some basic law concept - innocent until PROVEN guilty. The catholic church removed a priest based on allegations and paid off the accusers.

This priest, according to US law, is innocent until proven guilty and no charges were ever brought against him. How can someone be guilty of a crime when no criminal charges were ever brought up? If there had been a basis for criminal charges, the families could have pressed charges at the time of the incident - instead of being paid off by the catholic church. Sounds as though it was more profitable for them to be paid off rather than to get justice for their child.

I would like to hear from some of the supporters of the catholic church about the practice of paying off accusers for their silence and what they think of the ones who accept the payments - especially the parents of a child who accused a priest. Wouldn't pressing criminal charges be the better move than to take monetary payments for silence?

As for the TSA, the employee will have no contact with screening passengers.

Lets see...we have a President who offered to pay off his pastor to shut up and nobody cares.

But everyone is shocked by the priest abuse problem....never heard anyone not be shocked and upset but the comments made on here, which is my point,;;;;as YOU said on here "Remember, these are the people who wanted Rick Santorum as their president - so he could form the Catholic States of America. Pay them no mind and they will go away just like the "poot in the air". Unpleasant for a minute but then it disappears. "

That is not concern for the kids......that sounds to me like hate for the church itself. I never heard anyone talk like that about any religion and therefore my judgment.

If I am wrong I will certainly be happy to apologize but have only what you type on here to judge by.

[Guest]

Nope, not hate for the catholic church at all. I do not want them to dictate their beliefs to me in the form of Rick Santorum - and I do not have that to think about anymore since he failed in his bid for president. The unpleasant smell of Rick Santorum has gone away.

I think it is terrible that the catholic church pays off parents of molested kids to maintain silence and not to file criminal charges and I think it is terrible for the parents to accept the money.

'Nuff said on this matter. I think we can all agree that TSA did not do a great job in a background check on this employee and there were probably better qualified applicants for the job but as a baggage supervisor, he is no threat to children.

We can all agree that someone who molested a child should be in jail. We can all agree that an organization should not pay off parents for their silence in such circumstances.

Okay, next topic.

[Guest]

Lets see...we have a President who offered to pay off his pastor to shut up and nobody cares.

But everyone is shocked by the priest abuse problem....never heard anyone not be shocked and upset but the comments made on here, which is my point,;;;;as YOU said on here "Remember, these are the people who wanted Rick Santorum as their president - so he could form the Catholic States of America. Pay them no mind and they will go away just like the "poot in the air". Unpleasant for a minute but then it disappears. "

That is not concern for the kids......that sounds to me like hate for the church itself. I never heard anyone talk like that about any religion and therefore my judgment.

If I am wrong I will certainly be happy to apologize but have only what you type on here to judge by.

Not true, I am disgusted by all of them.

[Guest]

I must say, That on the grave of my dear mother, Rick Santorum to me was Lucifer himself. How could anyone follow that evil man. He spewed more hate than any politician in my 65 years.

[Guest]

The TSA has hired a defrocked priest who was fired for sexually abusing young girls over many years, and gave him a sensitive security job in Philadelphia International Airport.

I guess this is the perfect followup job for a sex abuser.

Doesn't the government make you feel safe?

I-Team: Priest Removed From Ministry Due To Sex Abuse Allegations Now Works At PHL « CBS Philly (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/05/24/i-team-priest-removed-from-ministry-due-to-sex-abuse-allegations-works-at-phl/)

okay, I get. The Catholic Church has had a problem with perverts as has

Protestant churches

Presbyterians

Baptists

Episcopalians

the Secret Service

FBI

the Army

and Navy

and Marines

Islam

Judaism

Air Force

holy rollers

atheists

the list goes on and on and on and on.

Get over it my friend and move on.

[Guest]

Hard to argue with facts, thank you Cmann.

[Guest]

Nope, not hate for the catholic church at all. I do not want them to dictate their beliefs to me in the form of Rick Santorum - and I do not have that to think about anymore since he failed in his bid for president. The unpleasant smell of Rick Santorum has gone away.

I think it is terrible that the catholic church pays off parents of molested kids to maintain silence and not to file criminal charges and I think it is terrible for the parents to accept the money.

'Nuff said on this matter. I think we can all agree that TSA did not do a great job in a background check on this employee and there were probably better qualified applicants for the job but as a baggage supervisor, he is no threat to children.

We can all agree that someone who molested a child should be in jail. We can all agree that an organization should not pay off parents for their silence in such circumstances.

Okay, next topic.

buggyone:Whooa lets not be too dismissive yet. This issue of pursuing a conviction vis a vis paying off parents is not as simple as you suggest.

First we are talking about two different laws criminal v civil which means that they carry a different burden of proof.

Seondly because someone gets a payday doesn't mean the individual was guilty of anything as the payment may have been determined to be "economically" the smarter move. Keep in mind what you believe, or what you know means nothing as it is what you can factual prove in a court of law and in the criminal case "beyond a reasonable doubt. The rules of evidence can be a very tricky thing.

I have spent many years defending sexual molestation cases, including priests, teachers, etc and the lines are not as neatly drawn as your posts suggest. While not a sexual molestation case remember that a jury didn't convict OJ Simpson in his criminal case but a jury did award damages in a civil suite against him.

P.S. I've been having a good experience on the links this week so I have decided to continue playing golf which means the bag stays on my cart and not in a pond.

Ciao

[Guest]

Seondly because someone gets a payday doesn't mean the individual was guilty of anything as the payment may have been determined to be "economically" the smarter move. Keep in mind what you believe, or what you know means nothing as it is what you can factual prove in a court of law and in the criminal case "beyond a reasonable doubt. The rules of evidence can be a very tricky thing.


The above does happen and it should make every human being sick. No regard for right or wrong, just what some slimey lawyer can make happen. Disgusting to me.

[Guest]

This is the craziest thread I've ever started. Who would have thought that these two obvious leftists, Villager II and Buggyone, would be defending a Catholic Priest's right to work in airport security where sexual abuse is often alleged, after being defrocked by the Catholic Church for child abuse.

[Guest]

This is the craziest thread I've ever started. Who would have thought that these two obvious leftists, Villager II and Buggyone, would be defending a Catholic Priest's right to work in airport security where sexual abuse is often alleged, after being defrocked by the Catholic Church for child abuse.

I want him dead if he is guilty as I find child abuse one of the most heinous crimes there is, but this guy was never reported and held liable in a court of law.

[Guest]

Remember the McMartin Daycare case people convicted and years later find out Nothing happened,This guy has not been convicted of a thing.How would anyone here like the way he is being treated to be a family member of yours wrongly accused?People will do and say anything for a buck.Heck Richie maybe we should just stone him.

[Guest]

Remember the McMartin Daycare case people convicted and years later find out Nothing happened,This guy has not been convicted of a thing.How would anyone here like the way he is being treated to be a family member of yours wrongly accused?People will do and say anything for a buck.Heck Richie maybe we should just stone him.

I am the last guy to come to Richie's defense, but the question here is rather he is or is not guilty. He has been found guilty by the church, but not by the US judicial system. I see that as innocent. But, like O.J. Simpson, I would not turn my back on him or hire him into a position that would put him in the proximity of children.

Let me add: I think the Obama years has driven the politically correct agenda far beyond its intended limits.

[Guest]

Remember the McMartin Daycare case people convicted and years later find out Nothing happened,This guy has not been convicted of a thing.How would anyone here like the way he is being treated to be a family member of yours wrongly accused?People will do and say anything for a buck.Heck Richie maybe we should just stone him.

I think you should hire him as a babysitter for your children or grandchildren. That would impress me on your sincerity.

[Guest]

I think you should hire him as a babysitter for your children or grandchildren. That would impress me on your sincerity.

Why would someone hire the ex-priest as a babysitter? He has a well-paying job with TSA.:boom:

What most of the posters do not understand is that the ex-priest has a job with TSA in an area that does not have contact with screening of passengers. He is not a threat to anyone.

[Guest]

Why would someone hire the ex-priest as a babysitter? He has a well-paying job with TSA.:boom:

What most of the posters do not understand is that the ex-priest has a job with TSA in an area that does not have contact with screening of passengers. He is not a threat to anyone.

If you want to joke around about child rape and abuse, it's your business, I guess.

He can be moved around whenever they wish. There's no lock on him at his normally assigned position, and the article makes this clear to any person who actually read it.

[Guest]

If you want to joke around about child rape and abuse, it's your business, I guess.

He can be moved around whenever they wish. There's no lock on him at his normally assigned position, and the article makes this clear to any person who actually read it.


Once again, you have convicted this man without any criminal charges being brought against him. It has moved also from molesting a child (which he was accused of) to child rape? Quite a jump you made there.

Yes, I read the article and if you understood what the dynamics of TSA are, you would realize you are incorrect in your belief he can move from one position to another.

[Guest]

Once again, you have convicted this man without any criminal charges being brought against him. It has moved also from molesting a child (which he was accused of) to child rape? Quite a jump you made there.

Yes, I read the article and if you understood what the dynamics of TSA are, you would realize you are incorrect in your belief he can move from one position to another.

Where can I read about these dynamics you talk of that would keep him from being moved around ? Just for info

[Guest]

This is the craziest thread I've ever started. Who would have thought that these two obvious leftists, Villager II and Buggyone, would be defending a Catholic Priest's right to work in airport security where sexual abuse is often alleged, after being defrocked by the Catholic Church for child abuse.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sickening and sad. It makes me wonder if they really mean it or they are just deadset to be contrary and try to contradict anything that anyone posts who doesn't goosestep with them.

[Guest]

Where can I read about these dynamics you talk of that would keep him from being moved around ? Just for info

That would be nice, wouldn't it. Actual facts to refute the written article presented. What a concept.

[Guest]

Once again, you have convicted this man without any criminal charges being brought against him. It has moved also from molesting a child (which he was accused of) to child rape? Quite a jump you made there.

We all know how diligent the Catholic Church has been in quickly getting rid of priests who are only accused of molesting children.

We all know how even the slightest hint of impropriety around children will cost a Catholic priest his job.

Why don't you link those stories for those of us who are misinformed, unlike you.

[Guest]

That would be nice, wouldn't it. Actual facts to refute the written article presented. What a concept.

actually since it is important to the discussions, I have been looking around and best I could find is TSA Directive 1100.30-1 ....link below....on transfers and it does not appear to disallow transfers but buggyone was pretty specific in his criticism of you and your lack of understanding, I am sure he will direct us the right way.

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/foia/TSA_MD_1100_30_1_FINAL_070307.pdf

[Guest]

Scroll down to Harkin in this list to see his charges and allegations: Database of Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse (http://bishop-accountability.org/priestdb/PriestDBbylastName-H.html)

[Guest]

You don't need to have criminal charges against you to be denied a job.

I'll go back to the quote from the article where it sais that he WAS removed because he DID molest children, one of them 10-15 times.

A background check from ANY employer should have found this out, since the news team obviously did.

You can be fired from a job for stealing and still have no criminal charges filed. I *do* wonder why the man never went to jail but this isn't uncommon when it comes to these cases.

I know people who have been blackballed from jobs for the SUSPICION that they stole from a previous employer. For my job as a programmer in the Air Force, I had to get a security clearance and they literally called people IN ISRAEL from my background to check out my 'character'.

This is another example of the TSA's incompetence.