If you live in the Antilles and have been a victim of sexual abuse by members of the clergy, we would like to hear from you. Please contact . Your email will be handled with discretion.
She was brought up to trust the Roman Catholic priests, but became the victim of sexual abuse by two Dutch priests in Curaçao - one of the former Netherlands Antilles - as a child.
Now 60 years later, Muriel Bruyn-Van Rozenburg tells her story in public for the first time. She hopes it will encourage other Antilleans to tell theirs. By Marijke van den Berg and Robert Chesal
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Muriel, I hope because of your courage and bravery that others are going to be motivated to come forward and to tell their stories of Priest and Nun Pedophilia. I encourage you to link up with strong women like Sister Pauline Turlish, who will help you to find some healing for the unspeakable abuse that you endured. My prayers are with you that our loving Father will EMPOWER you to continue to tell your story and to help others by doing so. Merry Christmas and may God Bless you in His Love!
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, I just noticed that I butchered your name, but you've probably been called worse ; ) by members of the Hierarchy of the RCC. ( I was typing too fast.) I have admired your writings on the topic of Priest Pedophila for years, and I first noticed them around the year 2001 on the VOTF Discussion Board. May you continue to do God's work and may he empower you to make constructive changes within the Male-Dominated, Troglodyte Hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Merry Christmas! Jeannie
Very sad indeed. It happened in all the former colonies all over the world. Religion, used to subject innocent young people to indecency like this did not only happen in the Dutch West indies, but also in the Dutch East Indies as well. There are stories of off springs from priests and nuns abandoned in the most remote areas when the Dutch left Indonesia after it gained independence. Their stories will never be heard. Muriel, her mother and grandmother and people of their ethnic background are the descendants of Dutch, German or Jewish plantation owners and their administrators. The Bruyn van Rozenburgs can be traced from Suriname, to Curaçco, the Netherlands and Indonesia. In the 1950s they repatriated back to the Netherlands and from there many emigrated to the United States.
The worldwide Catholic Church should hang their heads in shame. In particular the present Pope who knew of incidents of sexual abuse and did all he could to hide it. When in charge of the Doctrine of the Faith he moved Priests around and even transferred a Priest wanted by US Law enforcement to the Vatican where he gave him a senior job. Any other person that aided a felon to escape justice would end up in court. The evidence that has been produced from records of the last 30 years clearly demonstrate that the Pope consistently assisted wanted men in evading arrest and insisting that victims keep quiet about their experiences. Sadly it seems that the Netherlands (like just about every other country with Catholic Priests) is now exposing once again paedophiles and child rapists. When will the church make a heartfelt apology and ensure Priests are punished properly - not made to stop taking Mass or prayers as penitance but a proper punishment of imprisonment. Hundreds, probably thousands of male priests have ruined childrens lives and then made the victim feel guilty.
I offer my sympathy for what happened to Muriel Bruyn-Van Rozenburg. It should never have happened. There is no doubt that she was the only one. There have to be more in Curacao like herself.
Clericalism, the culture of silence and a pattern of episcopal covering up the criminal actions of sexual predators have damaged the lives of thousands of innocents beyond imagining.
For that, institutional church leadership bears full responsibility.
Very telling are the remarks by the priest, Father Theo, who mentioned the "culture of silence." This is commonplace in many religious communities where reports are not discussed.
HOLDING CLERGY AND CHURCH LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE THE LAW
Professor Marci Hamilton and Sister Maureen Paul Turlish on NPR's Radio Times on WHYY in Philadelphia, April 12, 2010
http://whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/2010/04/12/holding-clergy-and-church-lead...
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Victims' Advocate
New Castle, Delaware, USA
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com
____________________
SUPPORT THE REMOVAL OF ALL STATES' SOLs IN REGARD TO THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND INCLUDE WINDOW LEGISLATION FOR PAST OFFENSES.
Dear Sister (Catholic non?) Maureen,
You're absolutely right.
But the core of the whole monster sits much deeper, than just a matter of law making and enforcement.
The church and all members such as us, must repent on the very sin of leaving the truth - the Bible - for our own misserable human man-made gospel and teachings. Let the church return to the Bible as their source of PURE truth and change is going to happen to all - predators AND victims. As God Himself promissed that HE can turn/make everything come to a good ending and purpose afterall.
The sollution lies within!
God bless.
A Roman Catholic CHRISTIAN.
Ik heb het al vaker aangegeven:
AAN DE VRUCHT HERKENT MEN DE BOOM! Staat in de bijbel.
Als de RK kerk doorspekt is met dwaalleringen en eigen verdraaiingen van waarheden uit de bijbel en de goed gelovigen dat allemaal voorkouwen, dan krijg je dit soort dingen. In de brief van Paulus aan de Romeinen staat het overduidelijk: Dat je niet meer onder de bescherming staat van God zelf. Hij geeft je over aan jouw eigen lusten en is de hek van de dam.
Blijf in Mij zegt Jezus en Ik zal in jouw blijven - d.w.z. Blijf in het WOORD van God (de Bijbel) - Jezus is het woord. Stap er vanaf en je bent de klos!
Het wordt tijd voor de kerk (ik ben zelf katholiek) om zich massaal te bekeren tot God / Zijn Woord de bijbel en deze weer naar letter en Geest te eerbiedigen.
Leerstellingen zoals Maria is onze goddelijke moeder, de paus is onfeilbaar (de bijbel zegt noem niemand heilige vader, dan GOD ALLEEN, en wij durven tegen de bijbel in deze sterveling nog altijd heilige vader te noemen - wie schopt ons!?!), alle geloven zijn goed etc. etc.
Stop onmiddelijk hiermee en verkondig het zuivere evangelie en je zult zien wat voor wonderen God zal doen met de RK kerk.
Doe dat niet, blijf modderen in je eigen verzinsels en kijk wat uiteindelijk je lot zal zijn... Openbaring is daar heel duidelijk in...
God bless!
In de naam van de Vader, de Zoon en de Helige Geest. Amen!
Very tragic and betraying!
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