Today's Sermon: Bush League Basilicas

Bush league- a descriptive metaphor for minor league baseball teams' venues. Webster defines bush leagues as "leagues of professional clubs in a sport other than the recognized major leagues."

So, it stands to reason that...

Baseball is not the only organizational endeavor with major and minor league "players."

Consider academia, politics, the scientific community, and the entertainment industry. All have their stars, their up-and-comers, and their minor leaguers.

Now, add churches to the mix.

Suit Fuels Suspicion of Church in Alaska

By RACHEL D'ORO

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A recent string of lawsuits accusing Roman Catholic priests of molesting children has reinforced suspicions among some critics of the church that remote Alaska was a dumping ground for problem clergy. More...

12 priests have been accused of molesting children in remote parts of Alaska, and 4 are now facing law suits.

The Fairbanks Diocese serves 41 parishes spread out over more than 400,000 square miles. It covers Alaska's Interior, the North Slope and the western coast.

Church officials claim that priests actually ask to be transferred to the Siberia of Catholicism.

Maybe on Planet Oh Right Sure.

Patrick Wall, a former Benedictine priest and consultant for a Costa Mesa, Calif., law firm that has worked on more than 300 church abuse allegations nationwide, said rural Alaska was a prime place to send abusive priests, because of its isolation and because its cultural reverence for authority figures, such as elders and priests, meant parishioners would be less likely to speak up.

My questions:

Does the holy church have a list of bush league venues, where they can dump their bush league pedophile priests-- where the parishioners would be less likely to speak up?

If so, where might one send such "players?"

Butcher's Hollow, KY ("I was borned a coal miner's daughter.")

Daufuskie Island, NC ("Conrack")

Robstown, TX (Because I've been there and seen it)

Of course, there are many, many more venues in the US and worldwide where the church can easily dump its bush leaguers.

But that doesn't make the practice either "traditionally" acceptable or moral.

Thus Endeth Today's Sermon.

Go forth today, knowing that you may live in or near a bush league dumping ground.

Sound the alarm.

I mean it, damn it!


File this under: Behold! I send you out...