DC's Cardinal McCarrick removed from ministry after 'credible' child sexual abuse allegations
by MICHAEL R. SISAK /Associated Press; WJLA
FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis reaches out to hug Cardinal Archbishop emeritus Theodore McCarrick after the Midday Prayer of the Divine with more than 300 U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. (Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via AP, Pool, File)
WASHINGTON (WJLA) — NEW YORK (AP) -- The retired Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., whose sexual misconduct with adults led to previously undisclosed legal settlements, has been removed from public ministry and faces further punishment over a "credible" allegation that he sexually abused a teenager while a priest in New York more than 40 years ago.
Pope Francis ordered 87-year-old Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's removal, pending further action that could include expulsion from the priesthood, after the allegation was found to be "credible and substantiated."
McCarrick is one of the highest-ranking U.S. church officials accused in a sexual abuse scandal that has seen thousands of priests implicated.
McCarrick, the Washington archbishop from 2000 to 2006, denied the allegation in a statement distributed through the church. He cooperated in the investigation and accepted the pope's decision, the church said.
"While I have absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse, and believe in my innocence, I am sorry for the pain the person who brought the charges has gone through, as well as for the scandal such charges cause our people," McCarrick said.
Separately, the Newark, New Jersey archdiocese, where McCarrick was a bishop and archbishop, said it was aware of three decades-old allegations against him involving sexual misconduct with adults -- no cases there involving minors -- and that two of them resulted in legal settlements.
Richard Sipe, a former priest turned clergy abuse expert, said seminarians and young priests complained to him about McCarrick in the 1970s and early 1980s and that he has since interviewed 12 men who alleged that McCarrick propositioned, harassed or had sex with them.
Sipe said he also reviewed settlement documents that detailed some alleged encounters, including one where a man said he "felt paralyzed" as McCarrick wrapped his legs around him and started to kiss and rub him.
McCarrick's statement did not address the allegations involving adults. The Washington Archdiocese did not immediately return a message seeking additional comment from him.
The church did not specify the year or nature of McCarrick's alleged abuse of the teenager, or the accuser's gender or age at the time. New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling said the church was not being more specific "out of respect for the victim's privacy."
The church said it notified the authorities and hired outside investigators after learning of the allegation through its compensation program for victims of priest abuse. The Manhattan District Attorney's office said Wednesday that it investigated and determined a prosecution was barred by New York's statute of limitations.
The results of the church's investigation were forwarded to a review board of church figures and lay professionals that deemed the allegation credible and substantiated, the church said.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan said the New York archdiocese knew of no other such allegations against McCarrick, who was a priest in the city from 1958, when he was ordained, until 1981, when he became Bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey.
McCarrick, known to be fluent in seven languages, was archbishop of Newark from 1986 until 2000 and was elevated to cardinal in 2001.
He participated in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, presided over the graveside service for U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery in 2009, and celebrated Mass with Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to Washington.
Advocates for abuse victims said McCarrick also undermined efforts to expose abuse and hold perpetrators accountable by opposing an extended statute of limitations for such crimes and vowing not to comply if a law were passed requiring priests to report suspected child abuse.
McCarrick remains in Washington and is in frail health, the church said.
"The abuse of anyone who is vulnerable is both shameful and horrific," current Metuchen Bishop James Checchio said. "The abuse of a minor by a priest -- as is being reported in this case from New York -- is an abomination and sickens and saddens us all."
Lying about it when you are a Cardinal in the Catholic Church brings shame and ill-repute upon the whole church and will make standing before Jesus Christ a very difficult moment.
McCarrick released the following statement Wednesday:
Some months ago, I was advised by the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, that an allegation of sexual abuse of a teenager from almost fifty-years ago had been made against me. At that time I was a priest of the Archdiocese of New York.
While shocked by the report, and while maintaining my innocence, I considered it essential that the charges be reported to the police, thoroughly investigated by an independent agency, and given to the Review Board of the Archdiocese of New York. I fully cooperated in the process.
My sadness was deepened when I was informed that the allegations had been determined credible and substantiated.
In obedience I accept the decision of The Holy See, that I no longer exercise any public ministry.
I realize this painful development will shock my many friends, family members, and people I have been honored to serve in my sixty-years as a priest.
While I have absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse, and believe in my innocence, I am sorry for the pain the person who brought the charges has gone through, as well as for the scandal such charges cause our people.
The Archdiocese of Washington released a statement on McCarrick.
Sometime ago, an allegation that falls under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was made against Cardinal McCarrick when he served as a priest in the Archdiocese of New York.
The Holy See, which has exclusive authority in the oversight of a cardinal, delegated Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York to investigate the allegation, engaging the review board of the Archdiocese of New York.
In the end the review board found the allegations credible and substantiated.
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the direction of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has instructed Cardinal McCarrick that he is to refrain from any public ministry or activity until a definite decision is made.
Cardinal McCarrick, while maintaining his innocence, has accepted the decision.
While saddened and shocked, this archdiocese awaits the final outcome of the canonical process and in the meantime asks for prayers for all involved.
At the same time, we renew our commitment to care for the victims who have suffered abuse, to prevent abuse before it occurs, and to identify and report child abuse once it has happened.
Yes, and are you still opposed to removing the Statute of Limitations in New York State?
Pennsylvania court halts release of report on sexual abuse claims involving Roman Catholic dioceses
The two-paragraph order did not explain the reasons
by WTAE US
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Pennsylvania's highest court on Wednesday held up the release of a grand jury report into the handling of sexual abuse claims involving six Roman Catholic dioceses and local officials, days before it was expected to be made public.
The two-paragraph order did not explain the reasons but said nothing in the court file except the new order is available for public inspection.
The report is expected to reveal details of widespread abuse and efforts to conceal and protect abusive priests.
The court told the grand jury supervisory judge and the state attorney general's office they may not release the findings until the court gives its permission. Before the latest order, state prosecutors had said they were likely to release it by the end of next week.
Victim advocates have said the report is expected to be the largest and most exhaustive by a U.S. state. The two-year investigation covered six of Pennsylvania's eight dioceses, churches with some 1.7 million members.
"My legal team and I will continue fighting tirelessly to make sure the victims of this abuse are able to tell their stories and the findings of this investigation are made public to the people of Pennsylvania," said state Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Judge Norman Krumenacker, based in Cambria County, earlier this month made public his decision to reject an effort to delay the release of the report or let those named in it challenge the details before it's made public.
He wrote that jurors heard from dozens of witnesses and reviewed over half a million pages of internal documents from diocesan archives. The investigation involved claims of child sexual abuse, failure to report to law enforcement and obstruction of justice by those associated with the Roman Catholic Church, local public officials and community leaders.
The judge said the state has a strong interest in preventing child abuse "by identifying abusers and those individuals and institutions that enable (them) to continue abusing children."
The investigation covered the Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton dioceses. A 2005 report documented mishandling of abuse claims in the Philadelphia diocese about more than 100 priests and other clergy. All current bishops for the dioceses were able to testify before the grand jury, Krumenacker wrote, but only the Erie bishop did so.
Two years ago, state prosecutors disclosed the results of a statewide investigative grand jury in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese.
It said there were allegations of abuse against more than 50 priests and others by hundreds of children over decades. Bishops were told to keep the allegations secret, the Altoona-Johnstown report said.
'Creepy,' but not criminal: DA's investigation of priest ends with no charges
I'm sure it makes no difference that the DA is a Catholic!
By Jay Tokasz
The Erie County District Attorney's Office found no grounds to charge a Diocese of Buffalo priest, following a complaint from a girl that the priest had touched her inappropriately this past January.
"While his conduct wasn't criminal, I would say, to me, his conduct was creepy," District Attorney John J. Flynn said at a news conference Wednesday. "I wouldn't say this was a false claim. There's nothing false about this. It just doesn't rise to the level of criminal conduct."
Flynn declined to identify the priest, other than to say he was elderly. The priest was not a parish pastor, but was retired and saying Masses at a variety of churches, he said. Flynn would not comment on the girl's age or where the incident took place.
The girl told someone at her school about the incident with the priest, according to Flynn. The DA's office became aware of the allegation within the past month or so and launched an investigation.
"The allegations had to do with some sort of touching," he said. Flynn declined to elaborate. The alleged incident didn't amount to even a low-level harassment violation, he said.
That's an odd statement - 'some sort of touching'. It sounds like he doesn't actually know. I'm sure he must though, to find it insignificant. The girl didn't seem to think it insignificant, however.
Flynn said he will let diocesan officials know of his office's findings.
"I would hope that he doesn't say Mass anymore," Flynn said. "I would hope that the diocese would find fit not to allow him to be around children."
Cursed Statute of Limitations
The DA's Office has received about 15 to 20 calls in recent weeks regarding alleged clergy sexual abuse, and all but the one call about the incident in January were in reference to events that occurred many years ago, well outside New York's statute of limitations for prosecuting molestation crimes, the DA said.
In March, the Diocese of Buffalo notified the DA's Office about a sex abuse allegation against the Rev. Dennis G. Riter. But that allegation was determined to be from a time outside the statute of limitations, said Flynn. Under current law, victims of most childhood sexual abuse have until age 23 to seek criminal charges against the perpetrators.
That is so outrageously unfair. And yet, the Catholic Church is one of the main drivers behind keeping it in place. That is just how repentant these pseudo-Christians are.
The allegation that the DA's office investigated involved a priest other than Riter, and the diocese probably was unaware of the investigation, said Flynn. The Buffalo Diocese did not respond to a request for comment.
The diocese has been rocked in recent months by scandal over a cover-up of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades. Retired priest Norbert Orsolits' admission to The News in February that he had molested probably dozens of boys during his stints at multiple parishes in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s led to revelations of other sex abuse cases and the uncovering of how those abuses were kept secret for so long.
Under pressure from victims and their advocates, Bishop Richard J. Malone in March publicized the names of 42 diocesan priests who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. He also created a program to compensate victims of abuse.
But new allegations continued to surface. The diocese is currently investigating claims against five additional priests, including Riter, who have been suspended from ministry.
At the same time, some victims and their advocates said the diocese hasn't been forthcoming enough. They have criticized the bishop as more concerned with protecting the diocese’s reputation and assets than with getting to the bottom of the scandal, protecting children and helping victims heal.
Few priests of the Buffalo Diocese accused of sexual abuse were ever arrested or charged with a crime.
Sex abuse cases in general are difficult to prosecute because victims often are unwilling to come forward, said Flynn.
Priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors
The deference given to priests probably made coming forward with an allegation against them even more difficult decades ago, when Catholic culture permeated Western New York, he said.
"I grew up in a Catholic household. I was an altar boy. I went to a parochial school," said Flynn. "The culture was that priests were considered royalty. They were idolized, not only by children but by the entire parish community."
Some victims no doubt hesitated to come forward then because of the status of the individuals who abused them, he said.
Three or four decades ago, Flynn added, most people would have considered it "beyond the realm of possibility that a priest would ever engage in criminal behavior." All of that has changed with the revelations of clergy sex abuse across the world.
"Obviously we know that it can happen. That mindset is no longer there," he said.
Flynn said he will not hesitate to prosecute a priest who has committed a sexual abuse crime. He also said he will prosecute anyone who attempts to cover up a sexual abuse crime, as long as it falls within the statute of limitations.
Since 2003, the Buffalo Diocese has had an agreement with the eight district attorney offices in Western New York regarding how it handles sex abuse allegations. The agreement stipulates that the diocese forward any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to the appropriate district attorney "without prior screening regarding the truth of the allegation" and tell the district attorney if the accused priest has been transferred or reassigned.
The agreement does not require the diocese to report to prosecutors any allegations of sexual abuse made more than five years after the abuse and more than five years after the victim turns 18. That cursed Statute of Limitations!
5 Buffalo priests who were prosecuted for
child sexual crimes
By Jay Tokasz
Only five of the more than 60 priests who served in the Diocese of Buffalo and have been linked to allegations of sex crimes involving children have actually been charged with crimes.
Prosecuted were:
Benedict P. Barszcz – A former assistant pastor of St. Peter's in Lewiston, he was charged in July 1999 with exposing himself to two teenage girls in Buffalo. Subsequently, he was no longer allowed to publicly celebrate Mass or the sacraments, the diocese said.
Fred D. Ingalls – Ingalls pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in June 2004. He was an administrator at St. Joseph in Varysburg and St. Cecilia in Sheldon at the time of his arrest. He was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison.
Gerald C. Jasinski - Jasinski, a priest at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Lancaster, was arrested June 7, 1986, on felony charges of first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse and a charge of unlawfully dealing with a child by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office. Jasinski was accused of having sexual contact with two boys, age 15 and 18, at a cabin in the town of Sheldon. Jasinski pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of first-degree attempted sexual abuse in August, 1986 and was sentenced in December to five years on probation, according to Buffalo News archives.
Michael Miller - Miller, a Franciscan priest who taught for several years at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of possessing child pornography, obscenity and risk of injury to a minor in 2013 in Connecticut. Miller, 48, was a pastor of a Catholic church with a school in Kensington, Conn., when police there charged him. The Hartford Courant reported that Miller had inappropriate Facebook chats with seven Connecticut teenagers, including inviting one boy to come over and watch a "dirty movie" and writing detailed descriptions about sex acts he would perform on the boy, according to court documents. Miller previously taught at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs in 1993 and again from 2000 to 2003. Officials from the Buffalo diocese said at the time of Miller's arrest that they were not aware of any allegations of misconduct against Miller during his time at St. Francis.
James F. Rapp - Rapp, 77, who grew up in Lockport, worked as a priest in 1979-80 at DeSales High School in Lockport. Later, after being accused in 1987 of molesting two students at a Catholic high school in Jackson, Mich., he was sent to a psychological clinic for treatment by his religious order, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Then he was assigned to serve as a parish priest in Duncan, Okla. He was charged with molesting two teenage boys in Oklahoma in 1999, pleaded no contest to lewd molestation, and was sentenced to two consecutive 20-year prison terms. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City paid $5 million to settle one lawsuit filed by a teen molested for five years and $1 million to settle another suit filed by a victim. In 2016, he was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison in Michigan after being charged with molesting six students at Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Mich., in the 1980s.
No comments:
Post a Comment