Man Charged in Md. Priest Shooting Tue May 14,12:01 PM ET

BALTIMORE (AP) - A priest was shot and seriously wounded by a man who had accused him of abuse years ago, authorities said Tuesday.

Dante Stokes, 26, turned himself in Monday night to police, saying he had shot the Rev. Maurice Blackwell, said police spokeswoman Ragina Averella.

Blackwell was in serious but stable condition Tuesday at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Blackwell was shot about 6 p.m. Monday outside his home.

He is on a leave of absence from the Archdiocese of Baltimore because the church found in 1998 he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, said Ray Kempisty, a spokesman for the archdiocese.

Averella said Stokes told police he had been molested by Blackwell nine years ago. Kempisty said there had been a 1993 allegation against Blackwell but he was returned to priestly duties when police dropped the case. It was not immediately clear if that case was the allegation Stokes had mentioned.

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I can not and DO NOT condone molestation of children. But neither do I condone the action of taking revenge into our own hands. I've never wished to kill my former abuser. Have I ever wished he'd just drop dead? Yes, actually, I have. But never that I would like to be the one doing it. Quite simply because I know he will get what is coming to him. And already has, really. They say you reap what you sow. If that's the case, then the man has already got a garden the size of California.

I pray for both of those in the article. And I hope you will, too. Because someday, they will have to answer for what they each have done. And for what has been done to them.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), May 14, 2002

Answers

To the top, please.

-- Jackiea (..@......), May 14, 2002.

Jackiea

I am with you 100% on this one.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 14, 2002.

"Averella said Stokes told police he had been molested by Blackwell nine years ago. Kempisty said there had been a 1993 allegation against Blackwell but he was returned to priestly duties when police dropped the case. It was not immediately clear if that case was the allegation Stokes had mentioned."

And where were the parents ?

-- Tony (awalker@teknett.com), May 14, 2002.

Hi Tony:

You asked, "Where were the parents?" If Dante is 26 now and the abuse happened 9 years ago that would make Dante 17 years old!

You can't blame the parents for this one!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), May 14, 2002.

We ought to blame them for one thing: not having taught Dante to forgive those who trespass against us. He's full of hate, apparently. Love is what parents are supposed to teach, not hatred.

Even so, it serves the priest right, if he was truly guilty. And serves as a lesson to all others tempted to commit this sin.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 14, 2002.

Hi Everyone:

It seems from the article that the priest was 'let-go' by the police at one point which probably contributed to the fellow's anger. It's hard, very hard, to allow the Lord his day! May God help both of them!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), May 14, 2002.

Hmmmm -- 17 year old. old enough to know right from wrong at that. Now how is a parent to prevent that one. All Dante had to do is say NO. Simple as that.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 14, 2002.

Gene, the priest *deserved* to be shot?

Fred, do you know how hard it is for a 17 year old to say no? Or even an 18, 19, or 20 year old? Believe me, I only *wish* it were that easy. Had it been, I'd have not gotten into HALF the trouble I did. We do not know what happened there but I can say this. Sometimes we are so eager to please...so eager to be loved...that even doing something we know is wrong takes a backseat to that chance of acceptance and love.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), May 14, 2002.

Jackiea

I know full well that I would never go there. That is me. But others? I cannot really say that is true. I must admit to you it is difficult. But how in the world does someone old enough to know better still allow these things to happen in spite of all the teachings by parents and others bewilders me. I don't want to ask of your experience for it is none of my business and we will leave it that way.

You are quite right I really don't know and that is true. I still pray that you, Gene and others do have the strength to overcome it. It appears that you both have done remarkably well, Thanks be to GOD. The rest out there I really can't judge outrightly. What I hear from Gene is all I have and I try hard to listen to him. And you too.

Blessings to both of you.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 14, 2002.

Jackiea

I will say this, I have been hit upon by gay/bisexuals in the past and I cannot tell you how devastated I was afterwards. I had all I could to keep from wanting to kill them for their behavior as it gave me a bad feeling for a long time. So that is as close I have come to a bad experience. Others were not as fortunate as I know of an engineer whose was gang raped by gays and he committed suicide shortly afterwards than face his wife and kids. They found him at night at the lucent Plant grounds hanging froma tree in North Andover Mass.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 14, 2002.

Jackie:

''Gene, the priest *deserved* to be shot ?'' If I could've stopped it, I would have. But, after the fact, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy, don't you think? I don't want for him to die. That would make the young man a murderer. But for the disgraceful priest to lay in a hospital and dwell on the results of his evil acts--? --not only a good thing. It may save his soul.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 14, 2002.

17 years old is old enough to know right from wrong, but we don't know the circumstances or the psychological make-up of the young man. Maybe he had a few drinks with the priest and was taken advantage of while under the influence, maybe he was raised to never say 'no' to a priest. Most abuse by priests took place during a time when most people did not have awareness of such things and did not discuss those things at the dinner table (or anywhere else, for that matter) but this supposedly took place in 1993 when people were more aware.

Guess more details will have to be told - anger is like a cancer and if it goes untreated it keeps on growing and destroying - hope this young man gets the help he needs.

The priest has done his penance now, how sad. There are some crazies out there and I hope there are no copy cats - no one deserves to be shot at or killed no matter what they did. I am concerned for all priests these days - who is going to be next?

This is such madness. Let us pray for our priests - the good priests, the sick priests, and the victims - Let us pray that this madness stops soon. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 14, 2002.

Fred~There are times when I think I've come out of it ok and then there are others... :) My own experience with abuse was a long one. From the time I was in diapers until I was 13. There are many questions one could ask. But don't think any of them are ones I haven't already asked myself. But the knowing right from wrong at 17 that I spoke of was really more about other things. Be it having sex or doing drugs. We may think we know right from wrong or when to say no but ... Truth be told, I'm 30 years old and you'd think that would be old enough but I still have a hard time saying no. It is something to work on as you can tend to over burden yourself at times for it.

Gene, I can understand how you feel, to a certain degree. Honest.

MaryLu, I thought the same thing. Copy cats. You spoke of the priest doing his penance now. It reminded me of something my priest said to me long ago, when I first entered the Church. I had suffered a long time in guilt for something I had done. He gently, lovingly told me as I sat there crying that I had done my penance. More so than I should have. I was killing myself with guilt and he knew it. He told me to let the guilt go because I had more than atoned for my sin. I sometimes think we make our own Purgatory here on Earth.

God bless all~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), May 14, 2002.

"I will say this, I have been hit upon by gay/bisexuals in the past and I cannot tell you how devastated I was afterwards. I had all I could to keep from wanting to kill them for their behavior as it gave me a bad feeling for a long time. So that is as close I have come to a bad experience." You know there been studys on hate crimes such as killing homosexials, during the experiment they found the accuse to be arouse by gay porn then by straight porn, the purpose for the hate crime was a way to prove to themself that they are straight, Fred, I'm sure of all the hate you have tour gays is that only the same, you a homo. "Others were not as fortunate as I know of an engineer whose was gang raped by gays and he committed suicide shortly afterwards than face his wife and kids. They found him at night at the lucent Plant grounds hanging froma tree in North Andover Mass."

Shame it wasn't you.

-- Tony (awalker@teknett.com), May 14, 2002.

Tony:
I feel sorry for you. You are caught on the floor between stupidity and hell. You only stay stupid in order not to fall into hell. Human beings are usually trained and taught not to become like you; completely irresponsible.,p> You got away from your trainer, Porky.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 14, 2002.

eugene, save you insults, it's not going to send me away, got it porky ?

-- Tony (awalker@teknett.com), May 14, 2002.

Maybe you can't be beat off; but you can be insulted. Is it insulting, to be called stupid? Just keep your opinions to yourself and no one will see your stupidity. You keep showing it off, Porky.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 14, 2002.

Tony may be a few sandwiches short of a picnic but Fred I find your comments far more disturbing and irrelevant. I had hardly believe that a man who quoted words that moved me to tears yesterday "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" could be full of so much hatred and venom. I will pray for you.

-- Courtenay (csisherwood@hotmail.com), May 15, 2002.

Courtney

Are you becoming a supporter of that fool who wants to eradicate all laws for the natural way of the paganists.

He wants to let things happen as they may. Have you ever studied the ways of NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) and their beliefs? Tony is in that camp of thought. He wants sexual freedoms for ALL people. Gays, Lesbians, Perverts, Men with Boys (including 7 year old boys). A totally lawless society. The list goes on and on.

These things he is promoting. These things are far from the ideals that we as Catholics or Christians for that matter, are what we believe and are taught.

So Please ask before you criticize.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.

Jackiea

It saddens me greatly toread your story. Yes I really believe that time does heal. I am at 58 now and the past is now behind me. But some of the pains still haunt me. But they are mild compared to what they were then. I will keep you brave one, in my prayers and you can always look at your kids as your salvation as they WILL in time give you back your life with more LOVE than all the tea in China.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.

Thank you, Fred. And it's nice to know I am in your prayers.

You are right. My children are my saving grace. I thank God that they have not had to go through what I did. I thank God that I have them. There are times when this life does not seem so very appealing to me, quite frankly. But I think of or look at my children. So loving and full of love....I could never leave my children. I could never hurt them that way. I gave my children life. And in turn, they give me mine.

On a side note about children~I was up late, as usual, working on my jewelry. So, it was rather hard for me to wake up this morning. I told my husband "one more week...just one more week and we'll be done". Ah yes, he said. But then, you will be joyfully awakened by little bit knocking you in the head with a stick saying GET UP, MOMMY! LOL :) Ah, the joyhood of parenting.

God bless~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), May 15, 2002.

Eugene - I like you attitude on this issue for it is rough justice not revenge that is being perpetrated here. In NYC never published a priest had been " crucified " but not let to die for his planned thieving of thousands of dollars from a poor working parish.

This is justice indeed for he was found by the police and survived. He was not speared in the side but rather left hung on cross of wood with knives through his wrists.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), May 15, 2002.

Thanks, but I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not saying it's good to shoot an evil person. It had already taken place; that's why my remark was, let it happen to that kind of person. But, seeing it in its own context, it's a grave sin. Nothing can justify it, not even ''rough justice'', as you term it.

If you're telling us the truth, the actions of those who ''crucified'' a sinning priest are heinous and sinful. Whoever did it is damned, unless he repents and does penance.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 15, 2002.

Jean,

Forgive me for not sharing your zeal for vengeance. I don't think that a man who "plans" to steal money deserves to be crucified with knives through his wrists.

I do believe that a man who steals money deserves to be punished by our criminal justice system. It will be a sad day when vigilanteism is the first defense of a victim of a crime in the USA. We Americans may have an imperfect justice system...but everyone else's is worse!

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), May 15, 2002.

Mateo

Jean seems to have a warped set of values which are not within the scope of our American Christian values. his New Age ideals have corrupted him badly. We can only pray that he gets healed or just takes a leave of absence for a while.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.

Jackiea,

I thoroughly enjoyed your post about guilt and I agree with you. We become prisoners of our own making sometimes, especially when we dwell on the past which we cannot change - even God cannot change the past.

Some wise person once told me, "Don't look back unless that is where you are heading." So true.

Sometimes it is hard to believe that Jesus truly forgives us, isn't it? I think we do our hell right here on earth, sometimes it is a self-induced hell because God forgives us for all of our sins and yet we revisit them over and over and torture ourselves with guilt..over the sligthest little thing because as we get closer to the Lord, we become more sorrowful for our sins - big and small.

You sound like someone who has 'much love' in her heart, Jackiea and Jesus loves you for that. Jesus looks at our hearts and knows when we are truly sorry for our sins. It is we who cannot forgive oursleves, not Jesus.

Padre Pio would not give absolution to someone whom he knew was not giving a full confession, a true confession, and knew that the person was not ready to give up sinning....one person had to go back to him 5 times before Padre Pio would give her absolution.

Luke 7:47-48,50: "Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven....Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

From Padre Pio's Book, "Words of Hope"

Someone wrote to Padre Pio and asked, "But how can I believe God forgives me, and how can I 'go in peace'? It was easy for Mary Magdalene to have faith; she saw Jesus face to face.

Padre Pio's Assurance: "Oh, if you were to imitate Mary Magdalene...and were to go through this same experience of repentance, what abundant fruits of holiness would be yours. You would soon understand this secret, and by this means would soon be able...to change God's justice into loving mercy and obtain everything you need, forgiveness of your sins, grace, holiness, eternal salvation, and the power to overcome yourself and all your enemies."

"Take heart, even when you feel oppressed by the number and atrocity of your offenses. Come to the feet of Jesus, who is fighting and enduring agony for us in the garden...Ask for God's mercy, forgiveness, and help to walk all the time in his sight. Do this and have no doubt....."

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 15, 2002.

Jackiea,

I forgot to tell you before how sorry I am that you went through such pain in your life, but you know something Jackiea, if we did not have such pain in our lives, maybe we would never have gotten to 'know' Jesus. It is through our pain, that we get close to Him, get to know him - what a gift. So, I thank Jesus for the pain.

Jesus says, "We must be thankful in 'all' things" and that means 'all' even the bad stuff. I did not fully realize this until I read a beautiful book, "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. It is not a catholic book, but it is a true story and oh, so powerful, about the concentration camps in WWII and how Our Lord worked in this women's life.

You can check out the story on the internet by typing the name of the book in your search engine or the name "Corrie Ten Boom."

I think I will start a thread about favorite spiritual books for the journey, unless one has already been started. There is another book I love, Jackiea. It is called, "The Language of Letting Go" by Melody Beattie - daily meditations for healing. It sits with my Bible, my Padre Pio Book and several others - good for the journey into healing. May God Bless you each and every day with His peace and His love. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 15, 2002.

"Courtney Are you becoming a supporter of that fool who wants to eradicate all laws for the natural way of the paganists.

He wants to let things happen as they may. Have you ever studied the ways of NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) and their beliefs? Tony is in that camp of thought. He wants sexual freedoms for ALL people. Gays, Lesbians, Perverts, Men with Boys (including 7 year old boys). A totally lawless society. The list goes on and on.

These things he is promoting. These things are far from the ideals that we as Catholics or Christians for that matter, are what we believe and are taught.

So Please ask before you criticize.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002."

Fred, I'll give my two cents in here and please to make me reply again, I want freedom for all, including yours, you right that it's not easy and restrain must be exercise, but why tramples on others when it benifits the few ? Look at all the power government have, don't think of world peace as non violent, look at it as complete control, this is the exact thoughts of the ones that govern us, it is nearly a game, every time we try solving problems with laws it only blows up in our face. And the only thing we have to show for the end, is the perversions of Government, Republic, Liberty and laws. Let's remember the words of our forefathers "George Washington: Government is not reasion; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Even Liberty is in the bible "Woe to those who decree unjust statutes and to those who continually record unjust decisions, to deprive the needy of justice, and to rob the poor of My people of there rights..." Isaisah 10:1,2 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...!" Hosea 4:6 "We must obey GOD rather than MEN." Acts 5:29

I rather have people fellow GOD laws then men, that is what is ment to be free.

-- Tony (awalker@teknett.com), May 15, 2002.

Fred I realise we are just so very far apart on many issues and you will just annoy me further, however I must say something about your attitude towards Tony. I made a rather unpleasant remark myself about Tony so I dont think Im supporting him I just despise some of your views so very much.

So Tony is a libertarian who has taken the interpretation of freedom too far. Such selfishness and egoism is clearly not what God wants, so try and help Tony see that by giving of himself to others he can achieve peace within himself and eternal salvation. The views and opinions you voice are not the example he needs and I am not surprised he rejects them. Try and find a little compassion and love in that heart of yours and he may change "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"

I myself was hardly constructive in my comments so I will try and do the hard sell Catholic thing...

Tony I have no idea what you believe in I hope Fred was wrong about the child sex thing.I hope you take the time to look into some critiques of freedom/indivdual based philosophies and realise that maybe there is more to life than advancing ones self at the expense of all else. Maybe you will find some unanswered questions that lead you to look elsewhere( perhaps even the Catholic faith!). I too held views similar to yours and was a paid up Libertarian party member as the arguments are so compelling, so rational, so logical. The only thing I have read that may be of interest to you is "The Rights and Wrongs of Ayn Rand" by Robert Bass http://personal.bgsu.edu/~roberth/rand.html though there must be easier stuff to read as its pretty hard going. Personally I just found a growing social conscience made me realise that libertarianism didnt have all the answers. Good Luck and God Bless

-- Courtenay (csisherwood@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

"We Americans may have an imperfect justice system...but everyone else's is worse!"

Ah I hope you were joking! I would venture that many other countries would have lower police/judical corruption levels, and a system less reliant on wealth for defence (where you cannot buy justice). two letters says it all Mateo

OJ

God Bless

-- Courtenay (csisherwood@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

Courtenay, I love that statement: "A few sandwiches short of a picnic" :):) I have to remember that one!

Fred, Jackiea wrote:

"Sometimes we are so eager to please...so eager to be loved...that even doing something we know is wrong takes a backseat to that chance of acceptance and love."

Jackiea is right, Fred. We do not know the young man's psychological make-up at the time he was abused. Some kids have such poor self- esteem they think they have to say 'yes' to everything that is asked of them - they don't know they can so no, even to something that is wrong.

Some of these kids who were abused were lacking guidance, love, and support in their lives and were so 'needy' of attention they would do anything to get it and were taken advantage of by abusers 'knowing' how desperate these kids were for love.

Unfortunately, as an adult he knows right from wrong, but obviously was controlled by his anger and obsessed with revenge. We just don't know.

MaryLu

-- Marylu (mlc327@juno.com), May 16, 2002.

MaryLu

Tony wants to remove the sexual age of consent (AOC)in it's entirety. What that means simply is the right to have sex with whomever and whatever at will including men with little boys abd girls. That is what he wants. Have you ever heard of NAMBLA? He is speaking straight out of the mouth of the NAMBLA peoples theology. It is plain to see here. NAMBLA is the MAN/BOY LOVE Association who promote sex between men and boys down to the ages of 6 years old or even younger. They have fought to have ALL of the sex laws in this country repealed for years.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 16, 2002.

Pedophilly , that's real SICK ; such creeps deserve a free castration !!!!

To go OFF TOPIC , I saw once a cartoon from South Park about NAMBLA !!!!

Greets from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent LUG. (my__way_@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

Lug

Are you in Philadelphia PA? You say you actually saw a poster from NAMBLA there? That is bad, real bad.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 16, 2002.

Fred , I wrote a mistake ,

I saw once a cartoon ON the South Parkserie about NAMBLA !!!!

PS: I do live in Belgium

Greets from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent LUG. (my__way_@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

Lug

I find that ODD. I had no idea that their influence was that widespread. It is a huge problem in the USA and some of the material they get actually comes from Europe. A recent bust of these materials onthe internet originated in Germany and Holland too.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 16, 2002.

Fred,

Yes, I am familiar with NAMBLA, that is why I will never understand the Fr. Shanley situation - Why, in God's name did Cardinal Law transfer this priests to another parish with a high recommendation? Fr. Shanley was a member of NAMBLA who condoned boy-man love. I will never, ever understand that situation at all - unless Fr. Shanley had something on Cardinal Law - that is the only thing I can think of.

I don't want to revisit that whole scenario again, but had to say that.

Fred, I am learning not to take too "seriously" anything people post on a public forum. Take what some people say with a grain of salt, Fred, and do not let your blood pressure go up, do not lose sleep over it, do not argue with these people. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Do not let your heart be troubled, Fred.

It is human nature that once some people know your weak spots, they will torture you with their hurtful words - 'knowing' that it bothers you. My grandmother always said, "Never let them know your weak spots." She also used to say, "Never let them see you sweat."

I have found it is better not to respond at all to comments that are truly bothersome, unless you feel you are being a witness for Jesus. Going back and forth with certain people, Fred, is giving them the attention they want, and creating more disturbance in your own soul.

It is not worth it. I don't know where I saw this in Scripture, but the words have always stuck in my mind. "....and Jesus gave them no answer." I must look that up to see where the verse is. But, remembering those words have saved me from reacting many times.

There is peace in silence, Fred and sometimes it is better to remain silent. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent, ask Jesus to let you know when you should speak and when you should be silent.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way....." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

P.S. Remember, Fred, opportunities are sent our way to witness to the Lord - these may be moments of conversion. We never know how God is using us.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 16, 2002.

MaryLu

You are such a blessing.. Thanks.. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Yes, Carolyn says she likes you too. Blessings...

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 16, 2002.

your thoughts on this incident was interesting. It was a sad incident indeed. We all make mistakes and have secrets we wish could be undone. It is a terrible, horrorable thing for anyone to harm another. because, i was physically, sexually, and mentally abused at an early age with no break through for 14 years. My thought process became hurt those who hurt you, regardless of how long it takes regaardless of regilious beliefs. Why? should i forgive ITs not fair . IT took along time for me to get over this. So as far as Blackwell being shoot was wrong...Yes... BUT, his day will come as well for others like him. I PRAY for all the children of the world to stop hurting and being Abused every day and night this is my number ONE pray for this to be answered and a lost soul is saved!

-- silent (www.bueatifulafw@aol.com), October 17, 2002.