alexandria: Authorities Still Looking for a Missing Woman? – Give Me a Break...

Alright, let's dive into this mess. Alexandria, Louisiana, seems to be having a rough go of it. On one hand, you've got the unsolved mystery of a woman who vanished back in 2020. Which, let's be real, after this long, the chances of a happy ending ain't exactly looking good. I mean, what are the cops even doing at this point? Authorities continue to search for woman who went missing from Alexandria back in 2020

And then, BAM! The Diocese of Alexandria drops the bankruptcy bomb, citing 85… and counting… clergy sexual abuse claims. 85! That's not a typo. It's a freakin' indictment.

The Church's Shell Game

So, the church is pulling the old "poor us" card, claiming they're broke and need to file Chapter 11 to deal with these lawsuits. They're saying it's the only way to "reach a global settlement" with the victims. Right. Because nothing says "we're sorry" like hiding behind bankruptcy law.

Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr. even issued a letter apologizing to parishioners and survivors. But words are cheap. Show me the money, Bob.

The diocese claims to have $16.7 million in assets but $9.5 million in liabilities. Plus, they're hoping for some insurance money to throw into the victim compensation pot. But Julien Lamothe, a lawyer representing some of the plaintiffs, is right: Alexandria doesn't have the luxury of time like the Archdiocese of New Orleans did. Five years and $50 million in attorney's fees? Give me a break.

They're "poor," apparently. A "Mission Diocese" that can't even provide basic services without handouts. You know what else they apparently can't provide? A safe environment for children.

It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. You know it's going to be bad, but you can't look away.

Football as a Distraction?

Meanwhile, in a completely different universe, the Alexandria High School football team is killing it. They're in the Class 5A state quarterfinals, ready to face Spring Lake Park. A classic running game showdown, apparently. Good for them.

But does anyone else find the timing a little… awkward? Like, hey, the church is collapsing under the weight of its own sins, but at least we have Friday night lights to distract us! It's offcourse not the players' fault, but the juxtaposition is jarring.

I'm not saying the football team is part of some grand conspiracy to cover up the church's misdeeds. But it's a convenient distraction, isn't it? A feel-good story in a town desperately needing one. Maybe I'm cynical.

The Unanswered Questions

What really gets me is the lack of accountability. Sure, the diocese has a list of "suspect priests," but most of them are dead. And the ones who are still alive aren't practicing ministry. Great. But what about the people who shuffled these predators around from parish to parish? The ones who knew about the abuse and did nothing? Are they being held accountable? I don't see it.

And what about the missing woman? Is there any connection between these two seemingly separate disasters? Probably not. But the fact that both are happening in the same town at the same time… it just feels like something's rotten in Alexandria.

So, What's the Real Story?

It's always the same damn story. Power, money, and the systematic abuse of the vulnerable. The church is just the latest example. And while the football team might bring a temporary sense of pride to the town, it won't erase the stain of these scandals. Alexandria is in deep trouble, and I don't see a way out anytime soon.