'Maine bishop needs to confess'

By Paul Kendrick

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Bishop James Ruggieri has been taking a bow for settling dozens of claims of childhood sexual abuse that are barred by the civil statute of limitations.

It is being reported, though, that Ruggieri is low-balling the settlements, nickel-and-diming the trauma, pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims as a result of their abuse and the failure of the church to protect them.

Ruggieri is leveraging the civil statute of limitations by saying, in effect, "take it or leave it" to victims.

He's cheating the victims and survivors out of what is fair and just.

One can only hope that Ruggieri has fallen to his knees begging God for forgiveness. He's inflicting additional hurt on already hurting people.

By low-balling the settlements, Ruggieri is putting more money in his own pocket.

Here are Ruggieri's own words.

"And the Commandment asks us not only, 'have I taken what is not mine,' but also, 'do I use what I have justly? Do I see the person in front of me? Do I see the human being? Or do I see only a means for profit.'"

Bishop Ruggieri has forfeited his right to preach the gospel with passion and integrity.

Paul Kendrick of Freeport, a graduate of Cheverus High School and Fairfield University, co-founded Voice of the Faithful in Maine.