The Worthy Adversary

Category: Child safety

  • A challenge for the good priests

    I have never had any kind of tolerance for institutional malfeasance. Shocker, I know. But what really intrigues me is this: Why are the vast majority of America’s Catholic priests silent when it comes to child sex abuse and cover-up in the church?

    _PEDOPHILE_PRIESTS_3

    In Los Angeles, a document release in January showed that high-ranking church officials knew about abuse, hampered police investigations, didn’t look for victims, lied to parishioners, and helped abusers escape justice.

    In Orange County, documents released in 2005 showed much of the same thing … except we are still MISSING the files of many of OC’s biggest perpetrators (Michael Harris, anyone?). Then there is the fact that the man who personally engineered the cover-up of abuse and protection of predators, Msgr. John Urell, has never been punished and sits in a swanky south county parish. No shame, no remorse, no accountability.

    In St. Paul & Minneapolis, an ever-growing scandal is unfolding daily. Besides the cache of porn and the sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits filed almost daily, two more priests were removed over the weekend. A long-time St. Paul priest finally admitted openly, “I am embarrased to be Catholic.”

    In Kansas City-St. Joseph, a man convicted of child endangerment is the bishop. ‘Nuff said.

    In Newark, Archbishop Myers has been mired in scandal, blaming a “slipshod filing system” for abusers kept in ministry in Illinois. (He also—a la Sheriff of Nottingham—had no problem accepting gifts of coins and gold from priests, even accepting one priest’s beloved camera). Myers also said that putting a convicted sex offender back in ministry was “an appropriate decision at the time.” The offender, Michael Fugee, was convicted of sexual misconduct in 2003. A spokesman for Archbishop Myers said in April of this year, “Father Fugee remains a priest who is allowed to be in ministry. There is no change in his status at this point.” Fugee has since been removed, and the New Jersey Star Ledger has even called for Myers’ removal.

    And from the priests? Silence.

    Why aren’t the priests in Kansas City up in arms that their boss is CONVICTED of shielding child pornography? Is it fear? Is it shame? Is it obedience?

    I think another part of the problem is NIMBY-ism. Priests in areas not mired in scandal say, “Well, those kinds of things don’t happen here.” Or, in the case of Orange County and Los Angeles, they say, “It happened a long time ago. Times were different then.”

    There are two problems with that argument. The first is obvious: Child sex abuse, the cover-up of abuse, and shielding predators have been wrong for generations (lots of generations).

    The second problem is the one that priests seem to forget: They have no say who their new boss is going to be. What happens if suddenly, a man like Archbishop Myers, Cardinal Mahony, John Urell, St. Paul Archbishop Nienstedt, Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn, OC Bishop Kevin Vann (who refuses to remove John Urell), or another problematic cleric becomes the LOCAL bishop. Now what?

    Suddenly, the problem IS in the priest’s backyard. And because he refused to speak out when it was safer, he certainly cannot speak out now that a problematic bishop is his local prelate.

    I don’t think Jesus would sit silently in his parish. In case you have forgotten, Jesus was the champion of social justice and rebellious change.

    Here is my challenge to every priest in the United States: Think back to that day when you first got your calling. Was your calling to sigh and shake your head when bishops endangered your parishioners and broke the law? Was it your calling to realize that your bosses at the chancery knew about abuse and shuffled reams of paperwork to cover it up? Was it your calling to swallow hard and play nice with men you KNOW covered up for the criminals in your ranks?

    No! Your calling was to celebrate your faith, fight for the underdog, bring people to God, and rid the world of sin.

    If you care about your faith, then it is time for you to stand up. If you care about victims, it is time for you to demand change. How do you do that? It’s easy: say so and do it publicly. Do it at the pulpit and record it. Write a letter and post it on the internet. Post a comment here and on every news story that talks about church child sex crimes and cover-up. Don’t let fear of losing your job or your pension hold you back.

    You vowed to be like Jesus. Now it’s your time. Victims are depending on you.

     

  • Brown Denies Justice to Victims – Guest Blog Post – Mark Crawford

    Governor Jerry Brown denies justice for those sexually abused as children

    Mark Crawford

    Last week Catholic officials were jubilant when Governor Jerry Brown chose to kill bill SB 131, which would have temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for some child victims of sexual abuse. The governor made several excuses as to why he struck down the bill. He referenced the Romans who first used the “statute of limitations” centuries ago. Curious choice, but had Governor Brown, the former Jesuit seminarian done his homework sufficiently he would have learned that the application of the statute of limitations, at that time, applied to debts, or money owed, not crimes. In fact, the Romans were more than harsh with those who violated the law for far lesser crimes. I have never heard of Pontius Pilot discussing the statute of limitations before ordering a crucifixion, have you?  Have church leaders and Governor Brown forgotten about a man called Jesus Christ?  Only in the last 100 years have lawyers began to apply SOL to other “infractions” of the law.

    Church officials and the governor’s main argument is an example of hypocrisy at its finest.  Both claimed the bill was “unfair” as it only applied to victims of private institutions, not public. Was it was unfair to exclude some of the victims?  Perhaps, but their solution to this disparity was to deny everyone the opportunity for justice by vetoing bill SB 131. Why not pass this bill, as it afforded justice to some victims and THEN introduce a bill that would include public institutions as well? Neither Church officials nor the Governor has spoken of any such intention.

    We have repeatedly heard church officials claim “evidence is lost, witnesses die and memories fade” as a reason to oppose reforming statute of limitation laws throughout our country. We now know in many cases the opposite is often true. There is in fact much evidence. Should we simply forget about the cases that have concrete record of criminal behavior or wrong-doing?  Of course not. Then why should they be time-barred as well? I don’t hear the Catholic conference, our bishops or the governor speaking about that injustice.

    We know there have been instances in which priests admitted to molesting children, plenty of examples in which the priest wrote or texted his victim discussing his sexual acts and we know there have been cases where church officials held documents detailing claims of previous victims. We saw several clear examples in the recently released files of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, where Cardinals and bishops worked to conceal these crimes from law enforcement and the faithful. How could Governor Brown not see the appalling injustice of protecting powerful institutions, which sought to violate civil law over the need to protect children from known predators?  The acts of exposing past crimes and allowing victims civil rights protect children. They are also a deterrent to institutions that put self-preservation before child protection.

    Governor Brown said institutions should feel secure that “past acts are indeed in the past and not subject to further lawsuits.” I think it is clear he didn’t bother to read the clergy abuse files that were released by the Los Angeles Archdiocese as a part of the 2007 settlement with more than 500 abuse victims. Those documents clearly demonstrated these were not failed acts—but deliberate attempts to skirt civil law.

    Finally, should church or Boy Scout officials be rewarded for taking years to release documents (which proved they hid knowledge of sexual predators within their organizations)?  How can one possibly believe that institutions that intentionally ignored the law cannot be subjected to accountability for past crimes simply because they were able to conceal evidence until the SOL expired?  It was not by accident Cardinal Mahony spent years fighting the release of court ordered documents—documents which could have afforded more victims access to our courts. Governor Brown’s veto has sent the wrong message: “If you conceal the truth long enough, you can get away with it.”

    People of California: don’t be fooled, this bill was not killed because of unequal justice, it was killed to ensure powerful institutions remain free from consequences while victims are denied access to our legal system. Shame on you, Governor Brown, for capitulating to the demands of California’s Catholic bishops.

     

    Mark is a survivor of clergy abuse and currently serves as the NJ Sate Director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests www.snapnetwork.org He also is an Advisory Board member of www.MaleSurvivor.org and is the subject of a Documentary, : “Boys and Men Healing” produced by Big Voice Pictures

  • Do you stand with abusers, or with victims?

    Survivors to Bishop: Stand with victims!

    Three more victims file child sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits 

    Former bishop and two known predators named

    Victims pass out postcards to neighbors, citizens

    Group urges people to “pledge to stop donating” and “talk to family about abuse”

     

    What: Holding pictures of themselves at the age they were abused, victims of child sex abuse and their supporters will:

    –Announce three new child sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits against the Diocese of Honolulu, including a new lawsuit against a former bishop.

    They will also:

    — Pass out “pledge postcards” in the neighborhood where some of the abuse occurred and outside of the Diocese headquarters.

    The postcards will ask Honolulu Bishop Clarence Silva to stand with victims and remove accused offenders from ministry. Senders can tell the bishop that they choose to stop donating; they will reach out to other victims; and/or they will turn evidence over to the law enforcement.

     

    When/Where: Wednesday, Oct 23

    10 am – In the neighborhood surrounding Damien Memorial School, 1401 Houghtailing St., Honolulu. (Please call 949-322-7434 for exact location)

    12:30 pm – in the plaza outside of the Honolulu Diocese headquarters, 1184 Bishop Street, Honolulu

    Who:

    Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), the nation’s largest support group for men and women who were sexually abused in religious and institutional settings, including a California woman who is the group’s volunteer Western Regional Director.

    Why:

    On Tuesday, three Hawaii men filed child sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits against the Diocese of Honolulu. Three priests, including a three-time accused former bishop, have been named as predators.

    Two of the victims were abused at Damien Memorial School in Honolulu. One of the victims charges he was abused by notorious offender Fr. Gerald Funcheon. Funcheon made headlines in March when attorneys for victims released Funcheon’s sworn video deposition, where the priest admitted to molesting children at Damien Memorial School from 1983-1985.

    Fr. Jerry Funcheon, admitted Damien child predator
    Fr. Jerry Funcheon, admitted Damien child predator

    The other victim from Damien alleges he was abused by Fr. Larry Spellen in 1976. Spellen was removed from ministry in Salt Lake CIty in 1993, when then-Salt Lake Bishop Wiegand heard about accusations against Spellen from the 1980s and believed that they had merit. Bishop Wiegand referred the case to child and protective services. Spellen died in 2003. http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/1993_12_18_Thompson_BishopWeigand_Lawrence_Spellen_3.htm

    Fr. Larry Spellen
    Fr. Larry Spellen

    The third victim charges that he was sexually abused by former Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario while Ferrario was a priest at St. Anthony’s in Kailua. At least three victims have come forward to say that Ferrario abused them while the priest worked at St. Anthony’s or at Damien, where he was a teacher for a short time. 

    Fmr. Bishop and 3-time accused predator Joseph Ferrario
    Fmr. Bishop and 3-time accused predator Joseph Ferrario

    Members of SNAP will be passing out pledge postcards in the hopes of empowering Hawaii’s citizens to tell current Bishop Clarence Silva that they “Stand with Victims.” The group fears the Catholics and the general population may feel that they are powerless to help victims and are unable to help stop the cover-up of child sexual abuse. The card, which people can keep, pass around, or mail back to the bishop, gives people tangible options to help victims and stop the cover-up of abuse.

    SNAP also hopes that the cards will encourage people to reach out to other victims who still may be suffering in shame and silence. Many victims who were sexually abused in Hawaii only have until April 2014 to take advantage of a landmark law that allows victims to expose their predators and use the courts for justice, no matter when the abuse occurred.

    Copies of the lawsuit and the postcards will be available at the event.

  • Jay Ram accused of abuse by four more “sons”

    Four more boys accuse farmer of abuse

    Predator adopted and fostered boys in CA and HI

    Five of his “sons” now say that he molested them

    Victims beg social services, public for help and information

    Group runs ad begging “If you saw, suspected or suffered abuse, speak up”

    Jay Ram - now accused of sexual abuse by five of his adopted and foster children
    Jay Ram – now accused of sexual abuse by five of his adopted and foster children

    What:

    Holding photos of themselves at the age they were abused, victims of child sex abuse will:

    — Announce four new child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against a former Hakalau farmer, and

    –Urge social services officials to post and distribute information about Jay Ram, urging social workers to report any information or evidence they may have.

    When:

    Tuesday, October 22 at 11 am

    Where:

    Outside of the East Hawaii (Hilo) Office of Child and Family Service, 1045A Kilauea Avenue (at Mohouli) in Hilo

    (Social workers with the Office of Child and Family Service worked with some of the boys fostered and/or adopted by Jay Ram)

    Who:

    Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the nation’s largest support group for men and women who were sexually abused in religious and institutional settings, including a California woman who is the group’s volunteer Western Regional Director

    Why:

    Four more victims of a former Hakalau farmer are filing lawsuits saying that he sexually abused them after fostering and/or adopting them.

    The first victim charged Ram with abuse in March, saying that Ram used him and other boys as “forced child labor” to develop his land and kept them as virtual prisoners on his farm. 

    Ram, who is also known as Gary Winnick, is also accused of sexually abusing other boys that he fostered and adopted in California and Hawaii. He is believed to be India.

    The lawsuits say that Ram used the boys as forced physical labor and that he also sexually abused them. The victims say that Ram threatened them to keep them silent, deprived them of food and refused to let them to engage in regular social activities with their peers out of fear that the boys would report to authorities. Although Ram has been investigated by the police in the past, the victims say that they were threatened with violence and abuse to keep them quiet. The boys were abused between the ages of 8 and 17 during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s.

    Ram was involved in agricultural research with the University of Hawaii, Hilo.

    Members of SNAP are reaching out to the social services community in Hilo hoping to finding enough evidence to help law enforcement reopen a criminal investigation against Ram. Many of the boys Ram fostered and adopted were under supervision of social workers in Hilo, who may have felt helpless at the time to do anything about allegations of abuse.

    The victims in this case was able to come forward and expose Ram in the civil courts because of a landmark new state law that allows all Hawaii victims of child sexual abuse to come forward and seek justice in the courts, no matter when the abuse occurred.

  • SB 131 is vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown

    I am devastated.

    Read his veto statement here.

    Sorry the link was broken before. I am out of town for a wedding, and blogging via smartphone isn’t very … well, smart.