Why? For the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, it’s time to dust off disgraced, abuse-enabling bishops and force them on innocent Catholic teens, adults and parishes.
Every year since 2013, I have received calls from angry parishioners, asking that Curry (and sometimes Cardinal Roger Mahony himself) be removed as confirmation celebrants.
Almost every year, Archbishop Gomez has had to issue some statement saying that Curry shouldn’t be doing confirmations. But only because Catholics complain and people like me help raise a stink.
Curry is a compromised man who did terrible things. If he’s the best example that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has to “seal the faith” of teens and adults, then perhaps their problems and lack of moral integrity are far worse than we ever imagined.
Bishop Trautman Smells Blood in the Water – His Own
After the presentment of charges against Erie priest Fr. David Poulson, Erie Bishop Emeritus Donald Trautman came out with a statement today saying “there was no cover-up.”
He can “abhor the evil of sexual abuse” all he wants. But experience has shown us that such abhorrence has done little to stop the cover-up.
We will see what the PA State AG Grand Jury Report has to say about his role in Erie.
Important to note: Poulson is a priest from the Diocese of Erie. Will his arrest reflect on Bishop Trautman?
We are still awaiting the rest of the AG’s report.
UPDATED 4/17
Three Men to Watch: Wuerl, Persico, and Trautman
(and one to discount)
More rumors are circulating about who was called to testify and what the grand jury investigation will uncover. But one thing is clear:
There are three men to watch.
Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Wuerl, now the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, D.C., was Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006. According to his Wikipedia page, one would think that he’s a champion for victims. Critics have called him the “Teflon Cardinal,” due to the fact that scandal seldom sticks to him. Outside of two known abusive priests that Wuerl did not warn parishioners about, what else will the grand jury investigation tell us?
I can only assume he was asked to testify. He was the bossman for 20 years.
Erie Bishops Lawrence Persico and Donald Trautman
The Diocese of Erie is in full protection mode. Earlier this month, officials there released a list of 34 priests and 17 lay people who have been credibly accused of abuse.
If they were so concerned about such things (you know, exposing abuse and protecting kids), why didn’t they release these names before? Why not expand the Diocese of Erie child protection office in 2015 or in 2013?
They are getting ready for a bomb to drop.
Trautman was Erie’s bishop from 1990 to 2012. He retired at the mandatory age of 75. Persico took over in 2012.
I wonder if the AG will be brave enough to indict a sitting bishop or cardinal.
And a man to discount: Nicholas Cafardi
Peter Smith at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote a great piece today about the upcoming grand jury report. He quotes Robert Hoatson, a wonderful advocate for victims, as well as some of the players mentioned below.
He also quotes Nick Cafardi, a former chairman of the US Bishops National Review Board for the protection of minors.
So let’s just scratch him off the “credible” list.
Original post 4/15
Cease and desist letters, bully tactics, salacious rumors, lists of accused, Cardinal Roger Mahony and … Bill Cosby? They are all a part of the big picture surrounding the PA state grand jury investigation of six local Catholic dioceses.
The result of the two-year investigation, which will be issued in report form, should be released in the beginning of May. The report may or may not include the presentation of criminal charges.
No one can predict exactly what the report is going to say. But we do know this: it is going to be ugly, just like a 2016 report of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese and three previous grand jury investigations in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The purpose of this post is to be the best press and public backgrounder around.
Hopefully, this will become the most comprehensive (and always expanding) list of the real players, the deep intel, links to research, the best sources, and data.
This is where you will be able to ask questions/make comments BEFORE the report drops.
It’s a living document – keep checking back for updates.
If you have information that is helpful to this PLEASE SHARE IN THE COMMENTS or email me at jcasteix@gmail.com.
What is this grand jury and why did it come about?
Don’t know what the grand jury process is in Pennsylvania or what its powers are? Read more here or here.
Former PA State Attorney General Kathleen Kane empaneled the statewide probe in 2016, after a smaller, but similar, grand jury investigation of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese found that hundreds of children were abused over five decades by at least 50 priests.
That grand jury report (which I also call a “grand jury investigation”) resulted in criminal charges. Here is the Attorney General’s press release of the criminal charges presented.
From the report:
The Grand Jury was able to document child sexual abuse by at least 50 different priests or religious leaders within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The evidence also demonstrated that hundreds of children have been victimized by religious leaders operating within the Diocese; and that the mere presence of these child predators endangered thousands of children by exposure to potential sexual abuse. Predator after predator came before the Grand Jury. Each indicated that it was the first time any law enforcement official had questioned them.
Altoona-Johnstown is not the only Pennsylvania Catholic diocese to come under the scrutiny of a grand jury.
This current statewide investigation includes the six remaining dioceses in the state. Due to the size of the project, the AG extended investigation until the end of April.
Are these grand juries common?
Not as common as they should be. (In my opinion at least).
Pennsylvania has had the most—and most sweeping—grand jury investigations of its Catholic diocese’s sex abuse cover-ups.
The PA players and issues – historical and current:
Mark Rozzi – Nobody—and I repeat NOBODY—has been a stronger, more eloquent voice for PA’s victims than Mark Rozzi. The survivor-turned-state-legislator is a powerhouse. He has testified before this grand jury and has advocated for PAs survivors by pushing for stronger laws and equal standing in the courts. He wins in my book.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (UPDATE: link has issues – try this Facebook page)- The upcoming report and any charges will be issued from his office. They, through spokesperson Carol Simpson, have remained tight-lipped about the investigation.
Barbara Dorris – Barb Dorris is the former executive director of SNAP, the Survivors Network. Although no longer with the organization in order to follow her “moral compass,” she is the person most knowledgeable about the survivors community in Pennsylvania, having spent the past 20+ years building support groups and speaking with survivors there. She now volunteers for other organizations within the clergy sex abuse survivors movement.
Judy Jones – Judy Jones has been advocating for sex abuse victims in western Pennsylvania since the early 2000s. Her knowledge of abuse and cover-up in Pittsburgh, Altoona-Johnstown, and Greensburg is extensive, as are her connections to the victims’ community. UPDATE: She also has extensive knowledge of the Erie Diocese.
Every single victim who testified – They are out there. Many have been very public in the media.
Bill Cosby, Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, #MeToo, The PA State Legislature – Remember, nothing happens in a vacuum. Pennsylvania has been the home of some pretty nasty sex abuse scandals and trials over the past few months/years. No examination of the report is complete without an examination of how public attitudes have changed towards those who sexually abuse children and those who cover it up.
Thomas Doyle – Tom Doyle is a Dominican priest who has devoted his career to helping victims of clergy sexual abuse. I’m not a betting person, but I would bet good money that he testified in front of this GJ. He testified in front of the Australian Royal Commission and in numerous civil and criminal trials in the US and abroad.
Patrick Wall – Like Doyle, Patrick is an expert on how the Catholic Church has covered up abusive clergy for decades. A former monk and priest, he is now an advocate for victims. He’s worked as a consultant on thousands of cases nationwide and on dozens in PA. He was also retained as an expert by the US Attorney in Western PA in 2016 on clergy sex abuse cases.
Bishop Accountability – Terry McKiernan and Anne Barrett-Doyle are the keepers of the “database of the clergy sex abuse crisis.” If there is a document, they know about it and have it. They also have the library of previous grand jury reports.
Joelle Casteix – (that’s me) I know my stuff. I have worked in the global clergy sex abuse advocacy movement for the past 15 years and understand exactly what’s at stake with this grand jury report. I’m an expert on the cover-up and the effects on survivors and communities.
Marci Hamilton – Professor Marci Hamilton is the founder and CEO of CHILD USA. She’s is a national expert on child sex abuse; the statutes of limitations that make it difficult for victims to pursue justice; and religious defenses that may lead to neglect. She is also a Fox Family Distinguished Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.
The civil attorneys: Richard Serbin has handled more than 300 cases out of his Altoona office. Jeff Anderson is the top lawyer handling clergy sex abuse cases worldwide. No one has litigated more cases and helped more victims get justice than he has. Mitch Garabedian, who was featured in the movie “Spotlight,” and has also helped survivors in PA.
Jeff Dion, National Center for Victims of Crime, Crime Victims Bar Association – Most of the victims of the crimes that occurred will have no rights in the criminal courts. And besides, the criminal courts are where the State gets justice. For these victims, it’s the civil courts where they will see justice and accountability. Jeff knows the ins and outs of how the civil courts can be one of the better ways for victims to find justice and accountability.
Lynne Abraham – Abraham was the Philadelphia DA who issued the 2005 grand jury report about the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She was one of the first to “name names.” Unfortunately, she was unable to issue any indictments at that time. ADA Charles Gallagher led the investigation as its senior prosecutor.
Civil Windowsin Delaware, Minnesota, California, and Hawaii – These laws allowed victims of child sexual abuse to come forward and use the courts when they—the victims—were ready. Will this report make PA finally follow suit?
John Salveson – John has been an outspoken advocate for survivors in Pennsylvania. The founder of the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse, he has worked to change statutes of limitations to help victims of child sexual abuse.
The accused priests we know about– Expect this list to grow. The list as it is is far from complete. Hopefully, the report will fill in a bunch of blanks. If you click on the link, you can access a database of accused priests listed by diocese.
UPDATE 4/15 4:39 pm: Victim/Survivor Advocate Karen Polesir has extensive knowledge of the clergy sex abuse crisis in Philadelphia and the movement of priests throughout the state.
Need contact information for any of these people or information on the issues? Let me know.
The six remaining Catholic Dioceses (and details):
THE CEASE AND DESIST LETTER – The Diocese of Greensburg does not take kindly to criticism. When SNAP, the Survivors Network issued a statement asking that he turn over all of his “secret files” to law enforcement, the group was hit with an unenforceable cease and desist letter (attached here). The bully tactics didn’t work.
Heaven forbid anyone ask the diocese to do the right thing …
Counties Covered: Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland
THE SALACIOUS RUMORS Zubic himself has been accused of abuse. The accusation, which Zubic denies, became public in 2011. There are rumors—which cannot be confirmed—that the grand jury report will include details of a non-disclosure agreement.
Our discussion: Victims of child sexual abuse and sexual assault have been empowered to speak out about what happened to us. But what do we do to change the systemic problem in our institutions that made this abuse and cover-up happen in the first place—and turn MeToo into a movement?
I shared the podium with Esther Hatfield Miller, fellow survivor, trauma recovery coach, and a long-time friend who is a profound champion for change.
It was the use of the word CHARM that got me. He still, at age 85, considers himself quite the catch. But he’s a predator.
He thinks that what he did was consensual flirting. But it was really predatory grooming and/or downright assault. You can link through above to the whole MormonLeaks recording. It’s caused a huge stink in the LDS Church this past week.
Grooming
That—and a presentation by Walter Sipe in my UCI Law Class—got me thinking (again) about predatory grooming. As Walter himself said: it can be one of the more traumatizing things about the abuse. It leads to the irrational questions survivors ask themselves: Why did we go back? Why didn’t we know better? Why did I love him/her?
It leads to the shame and self-hatred that many victims carry for years.
If bad enough, this grooming actually compounds the trauma on victims. For a child who is grabbed by a stranger off the street, that child can say, “I fought back.” “I did everything I could.”
For those who were groomed (especially as teens), they now are faced with the mindf*ck that the abuser hopes to leave: Did I do everything I could? This was my fault, wasn’t it?
A parable to help put things in perspective
Walter started with a story that was very enlightening on the grooming dynamic. I decided to take it a step further.
Come with me, why don’t you?
Imagine you are a 15-year-old kid in the hospital. Hooked up to tubes and monitors. Mom and Dad aren’t there.
Then, the REAL Santa Claus comes in the room. He’s totally alive and embodies the spirit of Christmas. When he holds your hand, all you feel is love and warmth. You can SMELL the hot cocoa and Christmas trees. He is surrounded by love and light and stars and holly and reindeer walk in behind him. Not real reindeer, but cool stop-action animated ones like in the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer TV special.
Santa takes your hand gently, and with a twinkle in his eye, says, “You are going to die. But don’t worry, this doctor here is going to do an operation that will save your life. All you have to do is sign here.”
The smart-looking doctor behind him is surrounded by experts.
What do you do?
You LOVE Santa. And holy crap, you’re gonna die. So of course you sign. He said you are going to die. Santa wouldn’t lie to you. Santa takes care of people.
When you wake up six hours later, you realize you weren’t going to die and the doctor amputated your arms and legs for no real medical reason. Santa tricked you because he thought it was funny.
Now for the questions:
Did you sign the form willingly? Of course you did.
Did you do it because you loved and trusted Santa? Yep.
Did you do it because you believed that Santa and the institution of Christmas would never do anything to hurt you? Yes.
Did you do it because your mom and dad told you your whole childhood to sit on Santa’s lap and trust him with your secrets? Yes.
But did you give informed consent? No.
Was this your fault? NO
You were a child. You were groomed. You were tricked.
Is anyone going to blame you for the fact that you now have no arms and legs? No. You were a child.
Were you at fault and should you be ashamed? No.
It was Santa’s fault. He tricked you into thinking this surgery was okay. He took advantage of you.
A kid is far more likely to be tricked into believing sexual abuse is okay by an adult they love and trust.
My son is eleven years old. He likes to play basketball.
Oree Freeman was eleven when she was sex trafficked on the streets of LA and Orange County.
Men bought her for sex across the street from Disneyland. Bought her through websites like Backpage or via text. They knew full well that she hadn’t hit puberty. That’s why she went for a higher price. She had a quota to meet every night to pay her pimp. He told her what to wear. What to eat. What to say. When to sleep.
Oree didn’t want this life. She wanted to be a veterinarian. No eleven-year-old wants to be sold for sex.
When Oree came to talk to my class at UCI, all I could see was my son. If he ended up in the wrong hands, what could protect him from this life?
Oree is one of the lucky ones. She escaped the life at 15. Now, at 23, she educates everyone from law enforcement to legislators to the public about the children—our children: runaways, throwaways, lost and alone kids—who are bought and sold on the streets of Orange County.
Child sex trafficking in Orange County is a real problem that law enforcement, social services, nonprofits, faith groups, and advocates like Oree are dealing with head-on. But they can’t do it alone. The key is awareness.
