In
a Mother’s Words
When the Portland, Maine diocese settled Marie Tupper’s case against the diocese, Marie released a statement excerpted below:
Two years ago, and for the first time in 25 years, my son revealed to me that Rev. Thomas Lee sexually molested him when he was a toddler. My mother (my son’s grandmother) worked for Lee as his housekeeper at the parish rectory. When I visited my mother at the rectory, Lee would ask if he could take my son into his office. I did not know then that Lee was abusing my child.
My grief and sadness for what Lee did to my only child has been overwhelming. I filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Portland after my requests for Bishop Joseph Gerry and Bishop Richard Malone to tell the truth to the public about my son’s abuser were repeatedly ignored. I want other victims to know the truth.
During settlement negotiations for this lawsuit, I asked Bishop Malone over and over again to help Lee’s victims. I asked him to make public the number of allegations brought against Lee. I asked Bishop Malone to go to all the parishes where Lee served (including Maine Youth Center). I asked him to stand at the pulpit and speak clearly, forcefully and candidly to the parishioners. I want him to tell the truth about Lee’s abuse of children.
It is irresponsible for Bishop Malone to keep making excuses by saying that he can’t tell the truth about Lee’s abuse because “Lee’s case has been forwarded to Rome for further investigation.” The bishop knows that Lee abused children. … Victims who hear the truth about what Lee did to children may begin to say, “That happened to me too.” It is an opportunity for them to find the courage and strength to begin talking about their shameful secret.
I tried as hard as I could to make Bishop Malone understand how important it is for him to tell the truth to the public about Lee’s abuse of children. I tried as hard as I could to get Bishop Malone to do these simple things that can help so many victims. Unfortunately, Bishop Malone would not agree to do any of these things.
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