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In this society however, “Innocent until proven guilty,” does not stand true.
In the quest for turmoil, scandal, and gossip, the media as a whole has thrown out the concept of innocence and recreated the definition of guilty. Instead of evidence supporting that a person did not commit a crime, according to new media, evidence now states that “you probably did it, but we don’t have enough information to say so.” While I agree, that in some instances this is true, the legal disputes are for the courts to decide, not reporters.
In the case of the allegations against Father Mike O’Connell (as blogged about in the previous entry) the media has used its new definition of guilt. Father Mike has been cleared of all charges by the Archdiocese of Chicago and yes, the word “innocent” was used. In fact, it has been stated that the allegations against Father Mike could not have happened according to the official allegation. In other words: there is evidence supporting Father Mike’s innocence. So why am I, a mere blogger, still unhappy? An innocent man was proven innocent after all….
Because the media sucks.
The news wants you to believe that there isn’t enough evidence to condemn him. The media wants you to question everything, to worry and wonder and discuss. Reporters do not report to show a happy ending… they report to cause waves no matter who gets hurt.
Father Mike O’Connell’s official reinstatement to ministry proves what his supporters believed all along, that he is and always was an innocent man. Father Mike’s clearing of all charges proves that there is no evidence to condemn him, only evidence to prove his blamelessness. In this country where media and corruptness rule, it is now “Guilty until proven innocent,” and Father Mike has proven just that: he is innocent.