Friday, February 1, 2008

Norma Giannini Sentenced

UPDATE, April 23, 2009: Norma Giannini Released
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UPDATE, December 12, 2008: Early release denied for nun in sex abuse case
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Today, Sister Norma Giannini has received her sentence for sexually abusing boys 40 years ago.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A nun was sentenced today to a year in the House of Correction and 10 years of probation for having sexual relationships with two boys at a south side Catholic school where she was a principal in the 1960s.

Sister Norma Giannini, 79, was sentenced to five years in prison on each of two felonies by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Donald, but he stayed the sentence in favor of the probation term, with the year in the Franklin facility a condition of that probation.

Prosecutors had recommended eight years in prison.

I assume that the judge gave Giannini only one year in prison because of her age. I think that's inappropriate.

Giannini's acts were those of a perverted, abusive woman, a criminal. One year isn't a slap on the wrist.

Had she been tried 40 years ago would she have received such a lenient sentence?

Or if she was 39 rather than 79, would that make a difference?

Another scenario: If she was a 39-year-old man convicted of having sex with children, would the sentence be the same?

It's clear that Giannini isn't being required to pay much for the crimes she committed.


Giannini, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, was principal of the St. Patrick's Congregation grade school. She moved to Illinois in 1970. She was charged in December 2006 and pleaded no contest in November to two felony counts of indecent behavior with a child.

According to the charges, Giannini initiated sexual contact with both of the boys in the 1960s and had repeated sexual encounters with them, sometimes at her house. It's unclear when anyone first alerted authorites in the church or law enforcement about the activity, but in 1996, when the Milwaukee Archdiocese Response to Sexual Abuse panel questioned her, she said, "I thought I was in love with both of them," according to court records.

Oh. She was in love with them. Well, that's a different story.

GIVE ME A BREAK!


I think the sentence sends the wrong message.

I wonder if Giannini has apologized to her victims. Has she expressed remorse? I don't think so.

I wonder if Giannini has apologized to every faithful priest and nun who has suffered because of her history of abuse. They have to bear her shame. It's unfair, but true.

Her crimes shouldn't be used to disparage or mock the many, many devoted priests and nuns who have spent their lives serving God by serving his people.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I respectfully disagree with your pronouncement that Sister Norma was treated too leniency. While none of us can condone, and all of us should condemn, the horrible acts she was convicted of, we need to remember all the good things she did for others during her life, and remember the power of forgiveness. I fail to see how sentencing a 79 nine year old woman to eight years in prison would serve the needs of justice.

Anonymous said...

And I respectfully disagree with your belief that Sister Norma was given a fair sentence. Given that she was a nun, should not mean that she is treated more leniently. Not only should she spend the rest of her life paying for this terrible thing she has done, something that has caused over 40 years of suffering to two innocent men, the people within the church responsible for covering this up should be brought to justice too. Hiding the crime makes you just as guilty as those who commit the crime

Mary said...

Giannini may have done a lot of a good in her life, but she also preyed on children. That's despicable.

It's appropriate that she be judged on the crimes she committed.

Forgiveness is very powerful, but I haven't found anything that leads me to believe that she wants to be forgiven. She appears oblivious to the seriousness of her crimes.

While eight years in prison at her age could amount to a life sentence, I think one year does not fit the crime. A four year sentence or even two years would have been more appropriate.

Punishments should be a reflection of how severe society views a crime to be. This judge apparently doesn't think a grade school principal having numerous sexual encounters with two boys is a very big deal.

Those responsible for covering up abuse may not be paying, but certainly the Church is paying victims millions of dollars for its role in failing to deal with matters of abuse.

Anonymous said...

The Norma Giannini abuse victims where abused again how the Sisters of Mercy have never recognized these incidents and wih her demeanor that she is still in contol..........her game face is still on and it continues!

Anonymous said...

This nun was my teacher. I remember there was talk about her and certain boys and as a kid you did not pay any attention to it. Funny how my younger brother use to tell me stories and I just would not believe him.
Did she receive a fair sentence? I think not. What she did was wrong and against the teachings of the church.
It is true that we should forgive and that we must do so according to The Word of God. However, the wicked should be punished. What this woman did was wicked and evil. Further more to even suggest that she should be remembered for all the good she did is outrageous. She is a predator of the worse kind hiding under the guise of the church preying on young innocent lives for her own pleasure.

A former 8th grade Student of Sister Norma.
1968-69
CMB

Cheryl said...

I too knew Sister Norma and was one of her students and many of these blogs fail to mention that she was also the principal of a Catholic School A GRADE SCHOOL (1-8)not a middle school as so many refer to it. I went on picnics she was at our house on several occasions. She is a predator and shouldn't be treated any differently than any child molester. She buffaloed the parents of several of her victims having them believe she was so wonderful. I am glad that it wasn't one of my 3 boys this happened to or that horrible smug look would have been wiped off her face. As for forgiveness, NO she violated the most precious being an innocent child. Shame Shame Shame on you, you should rot in your own hell. Cheryl Waukesha