Saints fight to avoid disclosing emails in Catholic abuse crisis (MERGED) (2 Viewers)

[LaCumba]

This scandal is terrible but 99.9% of the Saints organization had zero to do with it. It will be crappy to watch everyone react as though the entire organization had a part in it.

If they were helping to "lessen the impact", THEY ARE INVOLVED!! Attorneys who represents large corporations found guilty of liability are there to defend and "lessen the impact" of punitive damages. The attorneys were helping the defendant. Likewise, one could reasonably argue that the Saints were helping/defending the Archdiocese of New Orleans to "lessen the impact" of punitive damages.

 

[sammymvpknight]

This scandal is terrible but 99.9% of the Saints organization had zero to do with it. It will be crappy to watch everyone react as though the entire organization had a part in it.

It will. But what do you do when the top is at fault? When the top is in trouble, the organization as a whole is in trouble. I’m wondering if the Benson’s would have allowed this if Tom wasn’t on his way out.

 

[onanygivensunday]

Anyone involved needs to be terminated immediately. To include Gayle if she’s involved.

It seems that the Saints are not so saintly after all.

 

[GeauxSainz]

 

[Saint Jack]

It will. But what do you do when the top is at fault? When the top is in trouble, the organization as a whole is in trouble. I’m wondering if the Benson’s would have allowed this if Tom wasn’t on his way out.

There is precedent. At worst, and I mean at worst, Gayle would be forced to sell the team.

 

[neurotik]

This is the key part of the article to me:
Attorneys for the men suing the church say “multiple” Saints personnel, including Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel, used their team email to advise church officials on “messaging” and how to soften the impact of the archdiocese’s release of a list of clergy members “credibly accused” of sexual abuse.

They were never gonna fight to keep the names hidden. The archdiocese was always gonna release the names.

Thats still an awful thing to do. Just by saying they weren't trying to do this worse thing, but instead only did this less disgusting thing, doesn't mean the people involved aren't accused of doing terrible things.

 

[Saint Jack]

Thats still an awful thing to do. Just by saying they weren't trying to do this worse thing, but instead only did this less disgusting thing, doesn't mean the people involved aren't accused of doing terrible things.

Agreed.

 

[austxsaintfan]

We know nothing. Everything we have read so far is hearsay. Let's not jump to any conclusions and certainly it's not time to start overreacting by crucifying anybody.

 

[No2DC]

I think part of the difference here too is the size difference and how centralized the Vatican is. Sexual assault, and subsequent covering up, is definitely happening in schools (public, private, etc) at a rate that's not unlike the catholic church. And yes everyone involved in such cover ups should be fired and sued.

I agree but I will add the money element to it. The Vatican/Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest institutions in the world, they go to great lengths to protect their money and influence.

 

[Saint Jack]

We know nothing. Everything we have read so far is hearsay. Let's not jump to any conclusions and certainly it's not time to start overreacting by crucifying anybody.

The Saints can’t stay silent. They need to clarify and release the emails.

 

[neurotik]

It will. But what do you do when the top is at fault? When the top is in trouble, the organization as a whole is in trouble. I’m wondering if the Benson’s would have allowed this if Tom wasn’t on his way out.

Barring any drastic changes to the situation, if I'm the NFL, I would take a page from the NBA'S book, and force Gayle Benson to sell the team. Can you imagine what parents must be thinking right now. This includes players, coaches, managemet, and other employees within the NFL, not only fans. If true, this is awful behavior and should be punished.

 

[Saint Jack]

If I'm the NFL, I would take a page from the NBA'S book, and force Gayle Benson to sell the team. Can you imagine what parents must be thinking right now. This includes players, coaches, managemet, and other employees within the NFL, not only fans. If true, this is awful behavior and should be punished.

I’m guessing that’ll happen sometime this week.
I think that was the same timeframe as the Panthers and Richardson.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Statement from the New Orleans Saints

 

[austxsaintfan]

If I'm the NFL, I would take a page from the NBA'S book, and force Gayle Benson to sell the team. Can you imagine what parents must be thinking right now. This includes players, coaches, managemet, and other employees within the NFL, not only fans. If true, this is awful behavior and should be punished.

Sell the team for what? For allowing her PR department to advise on how to release the names of the clergy who committed heinous crimes. The Saints have done nothing wrong here. The Saints haven't committed a crime. This is such an overreaction by so many people that don't know how to read an article. I'm not pointing fingers at you specifically.

 

[SaintRob]

Thats still an awful thing to do. Just by saying they weren't trying to do this worse thing, but instead only did this less disgusting thing, doesn't mean the people involved aren't accused of doing terrible things.

If the PR messaging was as indicated in the story, such as Bensel's advice to include wording that states that there is "a benefit to saying we support a victims right to pursue a remedy through the courts" then I don't see a huge problem with this. Although even that wording is a bit cringe-worthy. If there is anything in these emails that hint at advice on covering things up or funding for covering things up, then you have a very different situation.

It can range from poor judgment in giving advice through the team email addresses to participation in attempt to cover things up.