Although difficult sometimes and impossible at other times, forgiving is indeed a virtue.
I particularly enjoyed Frank Cerabino’s column today. He took a serious approach to a serious subject, unlike some of his writing, and it turned out to be one of his best articles.
He was comparing the transgressions of Father Skehan to Mary McCarty. One of his Catholic friends said that Father Skehan should not have been held to the same high standard as Commissioner McCarty because he has been a Priest for over 4 decades and did a lot of good in the community. Yes, evil people can be charming and cunning, do good deeds and in this case, they can be priests.
Father Skehan had committed grand theft of over $800,000 from the Church, St. Vincent Ferrer, where he was Pastor for 40 years. Skehan pleaded guilty to stealing more than $370,000. He also forfeited a $366,000 condo, about $381,500 worth of rare coins and $40,000 cash. Retired Delray Beach detective Thomas Whatley called both priests, Skehan and Guinan, “professional money launderers” and estimated that more than $8 million had been misappropriated over decades at the parish.
Mary McCarty, on the other hand, received gifts and gratuities that she failed to disclose such as free lodging or heavily discounted room rates. She also named a bond underwriter without disclosing that her husband, Kevin, had an interest. Which person did more damage? Which person was more evil? Which deed was more egregious?
Father Skehan was given a break by getting a 14 month sentence for what he did, a horrible violation of trust. He is 81 years old and the Court considered his age. He says that he was set-up. Have you ever seen a crook that said he was guilty?
Today, Kevin McCarty, Mary’s husband, will be sentenced and the Editorial Staff at the Post is calling for blood and thinks he should get at least one year in jail. Kevin has a 91 year old Mom that needs him. I know. Some of you will say that he should have thought of that before he enjoyed discounted hotel rooms when he was with his wife, etc. Compassion needs to be considered in his case, not only for what he did in comparison to the Priest but for his mother. Kevin McCarty has admitted complicity and has asked the Court’s as well as everyone’s forgiveness.
If everything is judged by its opposite, then I have to wonder if Kevin should even go to jail.
I particularly enjoyed Frank Cerabino’s column today. He took a serious approach to a serious subject, unlike some of his writing, and it turned out to be one of his best articles.
He was comparing the transgressions of Father Skehan to Mary McCarty. One of his Catholic friends said that Father Skehan should not have been held to the same high standard as Commissioner McCarty because he has been a Priest for over 4 decades and did a lot of good in the community. Yes, evil people can be charming and cunning, do good deeds and in this case, they can be priests.
Father Skehan had committed grand theft of over $800,000 from the Church, St. Vincent Ferrer, where he was Pastor for 40 years. Skehan pleaded guilty to stealing more than $370,000. He also forfeited a $366,000 condo, about $381,500 worth of rare coins and $40,000 cash. Retired Delray Beach detective Thomas Whatley called both priests, Skehan and Guinan, “professional money launderers” and estimated that more than $8 million had been misappropriated over decades at the parish.
Mary McCarty, on the other hand, received gifts and gratuities that she failed to disclose such as free lodging or heavily discounted room rates. She also named a bond underwriter without disclosing that her husband, Kevin, had an interest. Which person did more damage? Which person was more evil? Which deed was more egregious?
Father Skehan was given a break by getting a 14 month sentence for what he did, a horrible violation of trust. He is 81 years old and the Court considered his age. He says that he was set-up. Have you ever seen a crook that said he was guilty?
Today, Kevin McCarty, Mary’s husband, will be sentenced and the Editorial Staff at the Post is calling for blood and thinks he should get at least one year in jail. Kevin has a 91 year old Mom that needs him. I know. Some of you will say that he should have thought of that before he enjoyed discounted hotel rooms when he was with his wife, etc. Compassion needs to be considered in his case, not only for what he did in comparison to the Priest but for his mother. Kevin McCarty has admitted complicity and has asked the Court’s as well as everyone’s forgiveness.
If everything is judged by its opposite, then I have to wonder if Kevin should even go to jail.
