The Worthy Adversary

Category: Clergy Abuse Crisis

Mater Dei: Loving abusers and cover-up after all these years.

As I stated in my previous post, little has changed in the Diocese of Orange since 2005, when church officials settled sex abuse and cover-up lawsuits with 87 child victims.

I’d thought I share a little Facebook proof with you.

Now I will admit, I have been sitting on this information for a while. The reasons, like this post, were personal.

I know, love, and respect many of the people who were at this spring’s Mater Dei High School Grand Reunion (people like my father, who were pretty disgusted to see what I am about to show you here). My dad is almost 80, and going to his high school reunions are an annual treat (yes, they have them almost every year). I didn’t want to ruin it for him and his friends by ranting right away.

But after today’s article in the Orange County Register, I couldn’t keep it quiet anymore.

Exhibit #1

Two-time accused former faculty member enjoys the reunion

Two-time accused and sued vice-principal John Merino attends Mater Dei HS Grand Reunion

Yep, THAT John Merino. Two sex abuse cases against him settled in 2005. he was the guy who, along with former principal and 25-time accused predator Michael Harris, took a “special graduating senior boy” to NYC every year to see Broadway musicals. And shared a room.

Even St. Mary’s and All Angeles School and the Macy Awards have distanced themselves from the disgraced educator. But the school where the alleged abuse happened? Nope.

By the way, current school president Patrick Murphy was at the reunion, stumping for cash. Murphy was school president during the sex abuse lawsuit scandal of 2003-2005 and was principal when Merino was “let go” from the school in 2001. So no one can claim ignorance.

Exhibit #2

Principal who covered up abuse says Mass at Grand Reunion

John Weling says Mass. Joelle gets mad.

This is where things get personal.

Sure, Fr. John Weling is a graduate of Mater Dei and does have the right to go to the reunion. But what about my dad? Doesn’t he have the right to enjoy a reunion without having to encounter the man who personally covered up his daughter’s sexual abuse?

And it wasn’t just my abuse he covered up. Weling was principal right after serial predator Michael Harris. Weiling had to play a lot of clean up …

Maybe they should try to PRETEND to care

Again, it’s about optics. There are A LOT of sex abuse victims from Mater Dei. But for Mater Dei and the Diocese of Orange, it’s all about collecting cash.

That’s a shame. A very dangerous shame.

September 17, 2016
Tod Brown: Spinning yarns after all these years

That big BOOM you heard this morning in Southern California? That was my head exploding after reading the cover story in today’s Orange County Register.

From the article:

Though the diocese’s growth was exponential, there was also a period of turmoil when the nationwide Catholic Church sex abuse scandal erupted. Bishop Tod Brown, who took the helm in September 1998, faced the brunt of the sexual abuse lawsuits. The diocese was the first to arrive at a settlement, for $100 million, on Jan. 15, 2004.

Brown apologized to 87 alleged victims and issued a Covenant of the Faithful, promising to be transparent with the media and the public. However, Brown later was criticized for not divulging that he also had faced an allegation of sexual abuse. That allegation was dismissed by church officials. Brown said the accusation was not true.

Speaking recently from his office in the Christ Cathedral’s pastoral center, the retired bishop said he was “unaware of the problem” when he took office. (emphasis mine)

I really hate it when people lie.

Unaware of the problem? Brown knew. He knew very, very well.

In fact, Tod Brown had (very poorly) dealt with sex abuse suits while the Vicar General of Monterey, CA in the 1980s. Plus, we can’t forget the fact that he was the target of an investigation. And Brown himself admitted that he had kept the allegation and the investigation secret.

Heck, even Cardinal Roger Mahony disclosed that he had been accused. So the bar is pretty low.

1985 and the Doyle Report

Brown’s time in Monterey is important for another reason. In 1985, he was the Vicar General, Chancellor, and Moderator of the Curia. This was the year that Fr. Thomas Doyle delivered the Doyle Mouton Report, outlining the potential scope and scale (and civil liability) of clergy sexual abuse in the United States. Although the bishops scuttled the report, there is a high probability that a rising star and powerful priest like Tod Brown knew full well that the report existed and that it was a bombshell.

And then, there is Idaho … and Tod Brown’s long legacy of cover-up while the Bishop of Boise.

Brown knew full well that there was a problem of sex abuse and cover up when he came to Orange. He CONTINUED that problem until California’s 2003 civil window for victims of abuse forced his hand.

It’s about the COVER-UP

Brown just can’t claim ignorance and let things go. He has to make it worse for victims:

“The challenge for me was to come to grips with what it was and what we needed to do to get the healing started and protect our youth in the future,” Brown said. “(Sexual abuse) is a problem that is endemic to humanity. We had it in the Catholic Church, too.”

Ugh. I hate it when people say, “Well, EVERYONE was doing it.” This isn’t smoking pot in the back of your friend’s camper. We are talking about sex crimes against children here. Of course child sexual abuse is a social problem. But the real issue here was the systemic cover-up and protection of predators and abuse.

And as my next post will show, little has changed.

September 17, 2016
Guam, Michael Jackson, and Cosby … oh my!

Sorry it’s been quiet around here. I have been a full-time parent/taxi-driver/cook/cleaner/referee all summer, so the blog has had a short vacation.

But just because I have been slacking, doesn’t mean that the world stood still (if only my laundry would stand still …).

Guam

Guam Archbishop (in name only) Anthony Apuron

From the Pacific Daily News:

In a 13-0 vote, lawmakers Monday morning unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.

Unlike a 2011 bill that was actively opposed by the Catholic Church, this bill will also allow victims to name and sue third parties who knew about, facilitated, or covered up the abuse.

This is a tremendous victory for the victims and faithful of Guam. Since earlier this year, they have worked to help numerous victims come forward publicly (including numerous alleged victims of Archbishop Apuron). Then, when Apuron was replaced by an Apostolic Administrator, victims and Guam’s Catholics didn’t sit back and hope for the best. Instead, they have filed defamation lawsuits, demanded real action, and helped more victims and witnesses come forward publicly and safely.

If this legislation becomes law, victims will gain access to a treasure trove of secret sex abuse and cover-up files. Plus, they will be able to depose those who have actively worked to silence victims and enable predators. This is exciting stuff.

For the latest, always check out the JungleWatch blog. They pull no punches.

Michael Jackson

Wade Robson at age 10

Back in 2013, I wrote about Wade Robson, the brave man who has come forward to say that he was sexually abused as a child by Michael Jackson.

Speaking out about sexual abuse in Hollywood is tough business, but speaking out against the Michael Jackson Machine can be downright scary. Robson couldn’t stay silent any longer, especially after the birth of his son.

Robson recently filed a sex abuse lawsuit against two of Michael Jackson’s companies. The latest amended lawsuit has a bombshell.

From the New York Daily News:

In the new filings, Robson, 33, alleges that Jackson and his inner circle sought out children in systemic fashion through two companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures. The companies — ostensibly dedicated to creating and disseminating Jackson’s entertainment — served “dual purposes,” Robson’s lawyer told the Daily News.

“MJJ Productions operated the most sophisticated child sexual abuse procurement and facilitation operation the world has known,” Robson’s lawyer said Monday.

Bill Cosby and California Law

In California, a “little bill that could” is sitting on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk, waiting for his signature.

From the Los Angeles Times:

The Legislature sent (state Sen. Connie) Leyva’s bill, SB 813, to Brown last week. He has until Sept 30 to sign the bill, which would end the time limit in California for prosecuting rape, child sexual abuse and other felony sex crimes.

“This bill does not abolish the very high burden-of-proof standard,” Leyva said at a state Capitol news conference. “[SB] 813 simply ensures that the door does not slam in the face of victims.”

When the bill was first introduced, it was a bit of an outlier. But with the mounting allegations and evidence of abuse against comedian Bill Cosby, California lawmakers understood that if victims can meet a burden of proof, they need a CHANCE to get inside of a courtroom.

Let’s hope Jerry Brown doesn’t screw this one up like he did SB 131, which would have given victims of child sexual abuse the chance to use the civil justice system to expose abuse and keep kids safe right now.

September 13, 2016
Bruce Wellems documents

Eric Johnson’s 1995 correspondence with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Claretian Order.

Letters from the Claretian order to members about the status of Bruce Wellems, and the instruction to destroy evidence and emails.

Eric Johnson’s June 8 questions to the Claretians and the Archdiocese of Chicago.

June 8, 2016
Mother of second alleged victim of archbishop speaks, Victims respond

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, CA, Western Regional Director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org)

Our hearts ache for Doris Concepcion, who has so bravely spoken out about the abuse her son endured.

Parents of sexual abuse victims carry an awful and painful burden. Ms. Concepcion only wanted the best for her son. She had no idea that she was possibly putting her child in the path of a predator. We hope that Ms. Concepcion finds the peace and healing she so deeply deserves. Her powerful words and story have made is safer for victims of abuse everywhere—no matter the predator—to come forward and find healing and justice.

Two brave people have now come forward to allege child sexual abuse at the hands of Archbishop Apuron. The time for “internal investigations,” bullying parishioners, and maintaining the status quo is over.

It is time for the Vatican and Pope Francis to adhere to their promises of child safety. They must immediately step in and publicly remove Apuron from his office until a complete and independent investigation is complete.

In the meantime, Apuron should and must do the right thing and voluntarily step aside. No cleric, especially an archbishop, should remain in ministry when he has two credible allegations of abuse that have not been investigated.

We implore other victims to come forward to law enforcement and civil authorities. As Roy Quintanilla and Doris Concepcion have shown Guam’s victims of abuse, help and support are available.

May 30, 2016