Mother Of Son Fathered By Priest Accuses Church Of Abandoning Her Child

courtney wrote:

she knew what she was doing when she got knocked up.. the church shouldnt have to pay for this any longer

There are many women out there that "know what they are doing and get knocked up". BUT the father is still legally liable. A priest should not be any different.

What is a Franciscan priest? Are they anything like San Franciscan priests?

Look, I realize the mother here is in a very difficult situation with a terminally ill child (fathered by a priest)..however, I have to believe that back when this affair was going on mom was just as involved (and just as guilty) as her priest..I know this is policitally incorrect, but it still takes two to tango--mom, what did you think you were getting into all those years ago?????

While the Franciscans may have fulfilled their legal obligations in this matter, they have yet even to begin addressing their moral responsibilities to their priest's child. For a church that claims not only to operate in the moral sphere but to be an authority in it, such conduct is staggering--and inexcusable.

Hey Argunedo in Los Angeles--what about the mother's behavior?? They are BOTH responsible!!!!

Arguendo wrote:

While the Franciscans may have fulfilled their legal obligations in this matter, they have yet even to begin addressing their moral responsibilities to their priest's child. For a church that claims not only to operate in the moral sphere but to be an authority in it, such conduct is staggering--and inexcusable.

I don’t know what she wants, the Franciscan Province have said,“We continue to be willing to provide appropriate financial support for the young man.” And then she says,“Where were you, that's what Nathan wanted to know; 13 years where were you?" I really think she just wants this priest back in her and her son’s life.

Another report mentioned that parishioners at Our Lady of the Lake parish in Wisconsin basically gave Willenborg a “standing ovation� with a “lot of love pouring out for him�(according to Bishop Christensen), when he admitted fathering a child.

That ovation and the comments in the press about “everyone makes mistakes,� what a “prophet priest� Willenborg is, how he “cares about the people� are very disturbing; a brutal twist, according to a noted Catholic blog.

Such cheap forgiveness and cheap grace distort the NYTimes report of what comes across to many as a self-centered man who exploited a vulnerable, clearly-troubled woman – and allegedly a high school student as well. In any other professional field, he may well have been stripped of his license, and maybe even prosecuted for criminal conduct.

After the student’s accusations, we read Willenborg was sent immediately to a treatment center for priests with sexual disorders and substance addictions. That must be the failed Paraclete Center, reinforcing its notoriously-ineffective record with abusers. After seven months’ residence, Willenborg headed straight to Ms. Bond to have sex.

Incredibly, a few years later, he was put in charge of spiritual formation at a seminary. There were NO consequences for his conduct beyond promotion and new placements to positions of honor.

Consider, this “wonderful counselor� is also the father who on not seeing his son for about 12 years, takes a 13-year-old to McDonald’s where it is impossible to have privacy, and then to the movie,“What Women Want.� My God, what appalling insensitivity.

Then he kept his son waiting two years before following through on a promise of tickets to a baseball game with him. Imagine an excited teenager aching to know his father waiting and waiting to hear from someone who lives 15 minutes away. No wonder Nathan declined further contact after such heartbreak. It just hurt too much. The final insult to Nathan was Willenborg’s demand for DNA testing; talk about emotional abandonment and rejection.

This priest knew of Bond’s clear dysfunction, and still used her for his own purposes, regardless of the damage to others. Wake up, please. Willenborg stayed and played, taking advantage of the deference and neediness of Catholics trained in the mindset of St. John Vianney that,“After God, the priest is everything.� Willenborg was amply served, and yet he complains in the article that Bond was not considerate of his needs. Clerical narcissism jumps off the page; it’s all about HIM.

No, this is finally about accepting responsibility, accountability and justice. Ovations have no place here.

Remember the words of Bishop John Kinney, a former official at the national bishops’ conference:“We learned that even those priests who seem to their congregations, their fellow priests, and their superiors among the most dedicated and pastorally sensitive can be abusers.� Abusers of their power, abusers of their child, and a disgrace to the priesthood.

Should not forgiveness and redemption await signs of true repentance, not accusations against Bond about confidentiality and money? For shame. The Scriptural injunction that what is done in darkness will be brought to light is apt, even if it took 23 years and cancer for the truth to set Bond and her son free of their terrible secret.

To Mary in Missouri--This is NOT about the Catholic Church "cleaning up it's act"-it is about two grown people being in an ongoing relationship--wake up, they are BOTH accountable here!! The REAL victim is their son..bottom line this woman was in a sexual relationship with a priest--she had to know this could not end well--SHE is NOT the victim!!!

WWJD

There's a priest in active ministry in Dubuque, Iowa who has fathered at least two childrend from two different married women who's marriages ended in divorce.

Priest are men made by God. They should be responsible for the creations that they are a part of. All of this is why I never understood why priest can not have a wife. They are human and have desires and needs. And in the Holy Bible it does not tell them not to marry. So why would man make such a law?

As an adult survivor of childhood sexual and ritual abuse by a catholic priest, I know how Pat and her son feel. It is so sad that vows are taken so lightly by priests and that they abuse and abuse and abuse. Only one in ninety come forward to tell of their abuse. You can read more at www.intheshadowofthecross.net My account of abuse and journey toward healing.

I think some people are overlooking the whole moral of this story. The son, Nathan, who had to grow up without a father in his life with no emotional support from that father. Why do some people find it so easy to abandon their children? All Nathan wanted was a father. The same thing all kids want. This story should not focus around Father Henry and his suspension or misdeeds. It should not focus around Ms. Bond and her need for financial support or justice for her child. Those issues can be dealt with at a later time. Nathan has Hospice care, no more treatments, no more hospitals. How about we as a caring people all rally around Nathan in his last days and let him know he is loved and there are people out there that care about him and what he is going through. Nathan, be strong. You are such an inspiration to us all. You have put up the good fight my friend. You will never be forgotten and in our thoughts always.

This report neglects to mention the efforts of The New York Times, which dedicated a good deal of time researching facts that extend far beyond the singular emotional component embraced by Fox2, broke the story nearly a week ago. Your station should at least have the decency to give credit where credit is due.

musicman1 wrote:

To Mary in Missouri--This is NOT about the Catholic Church "cleaning up it's act"-it is about two grown people being in an ongoing relationship--wake up, they are BOTH accountable here!! The REAL victim is their son..bottom line this woman was in a sexual relationship with a priest--she had to know this could not end well--SHE is NOT the victim!!!

After three different women at the same time, one of them started at as a minor and one lasting over 20 years (an ex-nun) when does the man become a predictor and the women victims for believing in him?
How many more women do you need before you classify a priest as having a problem with sexuality, maybe you could let your high school daughter go to him on a weekend retreat to confind in him her darest secrets, after all he is a priest, surly you would trust him. You dont get it! Three women, an abortion request and an adoption demand plus a high school girl but he is the victim?

Though the women was an adult, this is not consensual. There is a huge power imbalance between a priest and the laity and he took advantage of it. It is time that the priest and the Church who hid him take responsibility for the youth. I am a Father of 4 and never once did I ask my wife or kids 'how much am I legally responsible for' and then give them only that. If the Church doesn't understand that family dynamic and that family is the core of the Church then they don't deserve to exist

If I get knocked up by a man who works at the post office does the post office have to pay to raise the child? What makes the church responsible for this mans actions with an adult who shouldn't have been having sex with a preist to start with.

While I sympathize with Mrs. Bonds situation and feel terrible for Nathan how is this the Church's responsibilty? She cheated on her husband and left him for this priest not caring about her children from her first marriage. She got pregnant not once but twice. She had an illegitimate child. She was given 100-150k in child support where a lot of women get none. Now she wants more? It should be the priest helping her not the Church! Take responsibilty for your own immoral behavior lady!

Hopefully this incident will send a message to other priests and their groupies. There were red flags going up all over the place with this one. Could she not see them? Why bring a baby into that drama?? And I bet you she got more money and support because the Church was involved than if this guys wasnt a priest. She should be thankful they didnt send him and her packing. Honestly judging from his character does he sound like good father or husband material to you? Would you recommend your friend or sister be intimate with him? No I didnt think so. The Church is the fall guy for this one but really its the parents fault for being so bloody stupid.