The Worthy Adversary

Tag: Patrick Wall

  • Joliet, Fall River, and a little lesson in “Just and Ethical”

    Let’s talk about Joliet, IL and Fall River, MA, two dioceses with bishops who, were it not for public embarrassment, were more than happy to throw child safety under the bus.

    In Joliet, Bishop Dan Conlon (the head of the USCCB committee on child protection, by the way) was going to reinstate a priest suspended two years ago for credible allegations of child sex abuse. In fact, not only were the allegations credible, but no one within the church denied that the abuse had taken place.

    Instead of following the polices of the organization he heads, Conlon told the press that the Vatican was “forcing him” to reinstate Fr. Lee Ryan. Ryan was going to minister to shut-ins. In their homes. With their children and grandchildren. Unsupervised.

    Conlon finally reversed his decision after huge backlash. We have yet to hear if the Vatican is mad.

    But this brings up an interesting idea: for years, the church has fought in court that priests are not employees and that bishops are independent from the Vatican. Does Conlon’s little “slip-up” expose the fact that the US Catholic Church been trying to pull the wool over judges eyes for decades?

    On to Fall River.

    I send my son to a private school. If that school asked me to sign a waiver that absolved the school of any liability if an employee or volunteer abused my child, I would walk out, go to the cops, and tell them that the school is hiding something.

    But in Fall River, such a waiver was par for the course.

    After the policy was made public, the diocese backtracked and said the policy was “being reviewed by attorneys” and would no longer be in place. A diocese spokesman also disavowed all knowledge of the waiver, which is not terribly surprising. Admitting that they knew about it would be admitting that they expect children to be abused.

    What is so disturbing about Fall River and Joliet is that NOTHING has changed since the so-called “reforms” of 2002 … unless, of course, the bishops are publicly embarrassed in the media for reckless endangerment of children. When THAT happens, they have no problem “reforming.”

    Even “mean, nasty, secular” organizations adopt ethical policies that require legal, upstanding and ethical conduct by their employees. In fact, the credo of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, makers of birth control pills, says in their credo: We must provide competent management, and their actions must be just and ethical.

    Just AND ethical? The bishops could take a lesson or two. Because when your enemy openly states that they will run a more ethical business than you do, you have a problem.

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    If you want other interesting reading: I was struck by Patrick Wall’s post today about bishops who have been accused (or arrested) for abuse or cover-up of abuse. I had no idea that in RECENT history, TEN U.S. Catholic bishops were accused of and/or removed for sexually abusing kids. None were prosecuted because of lapsed statutes of limitations.

     

  • A Week of Arrests, Investigations and Shameful Responses

    This week, three prominent priests have been arrested and/or investigated for sexual abuse:

    In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

    Father Luis Jose Cuevas, 67, a pastor of St. Athanasius Church on Linden Avenue, faces eight misdemeanor charges of sexual assault and one felony count involving lewd acts with a child, according to a complaint filed by the L.A. County district attorney’s office. Superior Court Judge James Otto set his bail at $260,000.

    and

    Santa Monica Police are investigating allegations that Father Rafael Venegas, pastor of St. Anne’s Parish, assaulted an adult woman in the church parking lot last September.

    The response from Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez? Nothing. No words of solace for the alleged victims. No words of comfort for confused and scared Catholics. He sent his spokesman instead.

     

    In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

    Andrew McCormick, 56, has been charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corrupting the morals of a minor, indecent assault and indecent exposure in connection with an alleged 1997 incident, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced Tuesday.

    McCormick was one of the 21 priests placed on leave after the 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury investigation of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is estimated there are more victims.

    Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, who has no problem speaking out for “religious freedom,” is silent when it comes to the pain and suffering the children in his Archdiocese.

    Both archbishops should be ashamed of their lack of pastoral leadership in such a painful time for their flock.

     

    You can see the full list of Philadelphia accused priests here or here.  Los Angeles’ list can be viewed here or here.

     

     

  • Michael Harris trial is a go …

    The Michael Harris trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 18 at 9am. Barring any last-minute settlements, you’ll see me at Dept. CX103, Orange County Supreme Court.

    It should be a barn burner.  Get ready to see some diocese dirty laundry.

    Even Bishop Tod Brown concedes Harris is a monster.

    The victim is an active duty Air Force lieutenant colonel and KC-10 pilot who has flown combat mission over Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the Middle East and Europe.

    So, the Diocese of Orange chooses the word of a monster over the word of an active duty war hero — a war hero with everything to lose by coming forward.

    I’m speechless.

  • BREAKING: Former Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy

    For immediate release: Wednesday, June 13, 2012

    Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy

    New sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit is filed

    This is the 2nd victim to name Ferrario as offender

    Diocese knew and covered up allegations, lawsuit says

    New state law lets victims expose abusers & protect kids

    In a new civil lawsuit using an unusual new state law, a former Hawaii bishop and one of his priests are accused of molesting a boy and Catholic officials are accused of ignoring or concealing their crimes.

    A California man says he was sexually violated as a ten-year-old in 1973, first by Fr. Joseph Henry and then by former Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario. At the time, the boy attended mass at St. Anthony’s parish in Kailua. Both alleged wrongdoers are now deceased.

    The lawsuit is one of the first filed under a new Hawaii law that lets child sex abuse victims use the courts to expose predators, protect kids and seek justice, even decades after they were assaulted.

    The victim, who grew up in Hawaii and now lives in California, is suing the Honolulu Diocese, which employed both clerics.

    The suit says that after being sexually victimized by Henry, the confused and scared boy was placed in religious education classes with Joseph Ferrario. Ferrario was a new priest at the parish who allegedly “counseled” the victim and began abusing the boy himself. The abuse reportedly continued after Ferrario was made an auxiliary bishop and continued until 1978.

    Before Ferrario came to the parish, boy reported the abuse by Henry to two other priests, who told him to keep quiet, the suit maintains

    This is the second victim of Henry and Ferrario to come forward.

    In 1991, David Figueroa of Hawaii filed a similar suit against both clerics. In 1991, it was dismissed because the statute of limitations had passed .

    The victim in the new suit came forward to a church lawyer in 1991 to report his abuse, but allegedly, Honolulu church officials offered no help and launched no investigation (or did so secretly).

    “This is a perfect example of how Hawaii’s new civil window law can being justice and accountability to victims,” said Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director. “Here’s a victim who did everything ‘right,’ but church officials silenced him and kept kids at risk. But because of this smart new law, the public will be able to learn which diocesan staff ignored or concealed these heinous crimes.”

    “The new Hawaii law is especially important in situations like this one, when the power of an accused bishop is one of the factors that has prevented justice from being done,” said Terence McKiernan, president of BishopAccountability.org. “We know of 22 bishops in the U.S. who have been accused of abuse, including Bishop Ferrario, and as bishops, they have a crucial role in the clerical culture of abuse and the enabling of abuse.”

    The new law, Act 068, sponsored by Sen. Maile Shimabukuru and signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in April gives child sex abuse victims a two-year “window” to use the civil courts to expose their perpetrators and those who may have ignored or concealed the crimes. This is the second known case filed under the new law. The first, against Damien High School chaplain Gerald Funcheon, was filed in May.

    In California and Delaware, civil window laws exposed hundreds of predators and help law enforcement put predators behind bars.

    Henry, who died in 1974, also went by J. Michael Henry and Joseph M. Henry. Ferrario died in 2003 and spent part of his clerical career working in Hawaii and California. You can see his entire history here

    Copies of the lawsuit are available on the website http://www.abusedinhawaii.com

    The lawsuit was filed in the Hawaii’s First Circuit Court and seeks unspecified damages.


  • Dissecting Dolan’s Apologists

     

    Documents recently exposed in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee showed that NY Cardinal Timothy Dolan paid predator priests $20,000 to quietly leave the priesthood. Yeah, really.

    The response from Dolan? Cue the crickets. But that doesn’t mean that Dolan’s apologists have also clammed up. In fact, they have been very loud in defending Dolan, saying, “Well, at least he got rid of these bad apples.” If you want to read those articles, you can look them up. I really don’t want to drive traffic to them via my links.

    I am not going to rehash the same news you can find on a million other websites. I am also not going to restate the 9,000 fine points of the public safety hazard Dolan caused. Every point is painfully obvious to anyone with a soul. Instead, this post is about why the apologists are dead wrong.

    1) This ain’t the Wizard of Oz, sister. So quit trying to divert my attention.

    The Catholic League, Archbishop Charles Chaput and others always like to say, “There’s nothing to see here. Abuse is way worse in public schools. It’s a liberal conspiracy.” Here are my responses: Yes there is; Maybe; and Hell, no.

    Lady Justice carries a sword and scales. Do you know why?  So that she may not remove the blindfold from her eyes. Justice must remain blind, whether you wear the clerical collar or are a federal politician. What murderer could stand before the court and say, “Gee, maybe I killed one person, but look at Hitler. He killed millions.” It’s a ridiculous argument and should be viewed as such.

    I am going to give the apologists the same answer that my father gave me every day of my life until I moved out for good: “I don’t care what ‘everyone else’ is doing. You need to obey MY rules.” Dolan was WRONG. He BROKE THE LAW by not reporting abuse. He covered up for abusers. He must be held accountable. Period.

    2) If it’s okay to pay predator priests $20K, why didn’t you pay good and honorable priests the same amount when they choose to leave the priesthood?

    I know a number of former priests (and have talked to a couple before writing this. I encourage others to comment or contact me). I do not know a single good, honorable priest who was given a dime when they left the priesthood. A friend of my father’s and former LA priest Terrence Halloran (who reached out to me and has been an amazing and honest source of information and support), left the priesthood in 1967 because he fell in love. When I asked him, he said, “I didn’t even get paid for November 1967, my last full month in ministry.” He was also handed a bill (eventually forgiven by the Archdiocese of LA) for his education.

    Patrick Wall, a former priest and my friend and colleage (and according to the Official Catholic Directory 1994-1996 a judge/advocate for the Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul – you can look it up. In fact, I INVITE you to, because it will be subject of a later post) was also handed a bill for his education when he left the priesthood. It was huge and it was never forgiven. He didn’t say that he was leaving to become an advocate for victims. He didn’t molest kids. He was just sick and tired of covering up for child molesters. His first job outside of the priesthood was as a nurses aide in a rest home. Now, the church is trying to say that he was never a judge/advocate. But the OCD never lies.

    These two good and honorable men were forced to enter the secular world with no savings, no support, no slush fund, no “wink and nod,” no annuity. So quit telling me that Dolan did the right thing by paying predators off to go away.  Twice-convicted child predator Oliver O’Grady is set for life, so why did Patrick Wall have to empty bedpans to eat?

    3) This has nothing to do with politics

    Yes, the bishops are suing the Obama administration regarding the Affordable Health Care Act. That is their right and duty under the Constitution. And yes, many liberal voices have spoken out for victims against the cover-up of abuse … but so have conservatives. So let’s cut to the chase: Sex abuse and cover up are not about politics. I know victims who have been ardent supporters of the cause who worked in the George H.W. Bush administration, victims who are Republicans, Libertarians, unaffiliated voters, and conservative Catholics. Some of my own biggest supporters are the mega-conservative Catholics who attending Latin services. Don’t tell me that this is a liberal conspiracy. Just as many Republicans were sexually abused as Democrats. Yes, the leadership of SNAP leans to the liberal side. So what? My husband is a Republican. (And I love my husband much more than I love David Clohessy. Sorry, David.)

    4) Predator public school teachers get paid off all of the time. Why aren’t you going after them?

    Yes, predator public school teachers get paid off all of the time. And I hate it, so I fight against it every time I can. But the public sector doesn’t use God, moral authority, eternal damnation or excommunication via lynch mod to hide abuse. The Catholic Church must be held to the same “higher standard” that that they demand of their faithful. Especially when they use tax dollars.

    That being said, the public sector MUST be held to account. That requires money, political power, influence and connections. It means fighting unions and the status quo. Heck, the U.S. Catholic Church itself doesn’t have the money to expose sex abuse in governmental organizations. It’s a grassroots movement in its infancy. But the real change will have to come from the inside with victims coming forward and demanding justice …just like the real change in exposing sex abuse in the Catholic Church came from victims and Catholics.

    We can continue the discussion in the comments or on Twitter at #CardinalDolan

    Find me on Twitter @jcasteix