STATEMENT OF JIM POST, VOTF PRESIDENT,
ON THE DEATH OF JOHN GEOGHAN

August 24, 2003

The death of John J. Geoghan is a tragic development in a long trail of tragedies connected with the clergy sexual abuse crisis. As a former priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, Fr. Geoghan became a symbol of the sexual of abuse of children by clergy. He was the visual image of the pedophile priest to millions throughout the U.S. and the world.

John J. Geoghan leaves a legacy of profound consequence to the Catholic Church.

First, as the visible symbol of the pedophile priest, he drew attention to a sickness about which much is still unknown, except that its consequences for victims are severe and prolonged. The Catholic Church does not accept clergy sexual abuse, but we know that the culture of the Church contributed to this scourge. The clerical culture must change to ensure such abuse never occurs again.

Second, the lack of effective action by bishops and members of the hierarchy facilitated Geoghan's actions and allowed him to harm dozens, perhaps hundreds, of innocent children. The laity of the Catholic Church will not again in our lifetimes vest unquestioning trust in their bishops. John J. Geoghan was the catalyst for actions to bring new standards of episcopal accountability to the Catholic Church.

John Geoghan's crimes were compounded and enabled by a cover-up by his superiors. The cover-up has resulted in a dramatic loss of confidence in Catholic bishops and a determination by the laity to challenge the manner in which the Catholic Church is administered. The expanded role of the laity in the governance and guidance of the Church is an essential step to the future.

Murder is wrong, and John Geoghan should not have died at the hand of another human being. The pain his family now bears, and the pain that thousands of survivors of clergy sexual abuse endure, are the saddest aspect of John Geoghan's legacy. We ask all persons of good will to pray for an end to violence in prisons and for an end to the scourge of sexual abuse.

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