Child-molesting priest gets probation
Good to know that God takes care of you.... 
Now, let's get back to the execution agenda...
The sins of the father were forgiven - and almost forgotten - yesterday.
The Rev. James Behan, the area's only Catholic priest convicted in the church's sex scandal, had faced up to 25 years in a state penitentiary for repeatedly abusing a North Catholic High School student for two years in the late 1970s.
He was sentenced to just 12 years' probation.
The prosecutor asked that the molesting priest be sent to prison for 11 to 22 years. The defense attorney wanted him set free to return to his duties of changing "soiled diapers" and cleaning bathrooms for elderly priests.
The family of victim Martin Donohoe accused the judge of basing her ruling on emotion, not law.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham said she was "appalled and disappointed" by the light sentence.
"This is a sad day for Mr. Donohoe and for all victims of sexual abuse," Abraham said in a statement.
Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe - who cried openly during the hearing - apologized several times because, "I cannot tell you I am doing the right thing."
She explained that she determined the priest's punishment by weighing the bad he did against the good. The good won out.
rest of this great endorsement of child abuse
The Rev. James Behan, the area's only Catholic priest convicted in the church's sex scandal, had faced up to 25 years in a state penitentiary for repeatedly abusing a North Catholic High School student for two years in the late 1970s.
He was sentenced to just 12 years' probation.
The prosecutor asked that the molesting priest be sent to prison for 11 to 22 years. The defense attorney wanted him set free to return to his duties of changing "soiled diapers" and cleaning bathrooms for elderly priests.
The family of victim Martin Donohoe accused the judge of basing her ruling on emotion, not law.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham said she was "appalled and disappointed" by the light sentence.
"This is a sad day for Mr. Donohoe and for all victims of sexual abuse," Abraham said in a statement.
Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe - who cried openly during the hearing - apologized several times because, "I cannot tell you I am doing the right thing."
She explained that she determined the priest's punishment by weighing the bad he did against the good. The good won out.
rest of this great endorsement of child abuse
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