I interviewed Father Clement Machado today, who is coming to Father Stanbery's church in New Bavaria for a parish mission next week.
A Canadian native and a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity religious order, Father Machado is living in Rome and has been a frequent commentator on EWTN Catholic radio and television.
After we talked for a while, discussing the impact of evil on society, I decided to tell him about my book. I don't usually inject my own affairs into my interviews as The Blade's religion editor, but sometimes the interviews turn into conversations and you find that the disembodied voice on the other end of the line has an interest in who you are and what you're thinking. This was one of those cases.
The soft-spoken cleric had been unaware of the Father Robinson case and said he was sad to hear that a Catholic priest had been convicted of murder.
Then, after discussing the evidence that indicated it was a satanic ritual slaying, Father Machado surprised me by saying he wasn't that surprised. In his role as counselor, he said he has met with many people who were victims of ritual abuse by priests. It's not all that uncommon, but it is rarely talked about, he said.
People who are victims of satanic abuse by priests find it hard, if not impossible, to speak about. And even if they did get up the nerve to report the abuse, who would believe them? A priest involved in a satanic cult would seem preposterous to most rational adults. And so the victims keep quiet or, in rare cases, speak up only to find their allegations dismissed out of hand.
Father Machado knows too well that it is a hidden plague on society. The more people refuse to believe, the more the perpetrators are able to carry on their horrific crimes.
As 18th century statesman Edmund Burke said so eloquently, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
It is my hope that "Sin, Shame and Secrets" gives strength to the victims and a sense of validation, emboldening them to speak up.
I also hope that by shining a light on the darkness, my book will bring people to the point where they just might believe it when a victim of ritual abuse reports such unspeakable acts.
Aug. 15, 2006. Sylvania, Ohio
Comments (4)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am trying to reach Fr. Machado. I am a Roman Catholic parishoner of Alexandria, Virginia.
Would you please assist me. I have spoken with the diocesan priest who discerns one's need for an exorcist. Father Machado visited a parish in our diocese but I was unable to attend.
Please do assist.
Thank you,
Tristram Carlisle
Posted by Tristram Carlisle | January 3, 2007 11:22 PM
Posted on January 3, 2007 23:22
cool blog!
Posted by Tom | April 9, 2007 11:40 AM
Posted on April 9, 2007 11:40
nice blog. good photo.
Posted by ticketmaster | April 18, 2007 9:12 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 09:12
To believe in good, requires that one also beleive in evil. If I were a Satanist I beleive that anyway I could penetrate the Catholic Church would be a victory for Satan. Do you have any evidence, or reason to believe that there may be pockets within the Catholic Church where Satanism is practiced on a regular basis? Or that groups of Satanists have successfully penetrated the Catholic Church to cause as much harm as possible? And if so, is church hierarchy confused as to how to best handle this type of situation or perhaps they feel the less said the better. Maybe it's a natural occurence and has been that way for centuries. I have been tracking a former Catholic priest for over 19 years who may have used Satanism and the occult to lure his victims for sexual abuse. He also used drugs and alcohol as well. The little that I know about Satanism and the occult would make it a an easy subject to use to lure young children as in the case of clergy abuse. It also offers a good cover, should the priest be exposed, it's easy to explain that it was a teaching method and nothing else. And finally, any attempt to cover up a Catholic priest/Satanic priest would be viewed as the right thing to do by most law enforcement and goverment and church authorities. I'm not saying it's right, but I can see how easily they would want to cover it up for the good of society.
I would welcome your comments.
Mike Ference
Posted by mike ference | March 18, 2008 6:58 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 18:58