DIOCESE/State WATCH

Bridgeport, CT (www.votfbpt.org): The Darien, CT (Bridgeport diocese) debacle has focused attention once again on what the diocese knew about their high-living pastor; what parishioners knew and when; and what becomes of one whistleblower.

In Darien, CT (Diocese of Bridgeport) a diocesan investigation into allegations of a pastor's financial improprieties led to the resignation of the pastor of St John’s church. The associate pastor, Fr. Michael Madden, was then appointed as acting pastor; he and the church's bookkeeper, using their own funds, hired a private investigator, without the knowledge of the diocese, who then reported his findings to the Darien police. What followed is another instance of a priest going out on the limb of truth-telling and finding himself in conflict with his bishop - and demoted; it is also another instance of misplaced focus - a concern about the “scandal” of publicity for the diocese rather than demonstrated financial accountability for the parish. While parishioners came to Fr. Madden's defense in force, Fr. Madden's fate remains uncertain. The story was covered in The New York Times (NY/Region of May 24, 2006) and May 29 ); the Stamford Advocate; and the Connecticut Post . The Bridgeport diocesan web site also posted a statement at www.bridgeportdiocese.com.

  • VOTF Bridgeport TODAY JUNE 8 is hosting a diocesan-wide discussion on the question – “Do you know where your contributions to your parish and diocese go?”
  • Erie, PA: “Gannon College, a Catholic institution, allegedly demoted its first female chaplain, Lynnette Petruska, solely because of her gender. A trial court threw out Petruska’s sex discrimination suit at the earliest possible stage of litigation on the grounds that Gannon, as a church-affiliated school, had immunity under the First Amendment’s freedom-of-religion provisions. Recently, a divided, 2-1 Third Circuit issued a decision reviving the case and establishing an important precedent that breaks from or refines case law from several other courts.” Go to http://www.afj.org/fullcourtpress.html. But there’s more: According to Petruska’s press release (for more information, contact attorneys AnnDrea Benson at 814-734-3428 [Erie contact]; Chet Pleban, Esq. at 314-645-6666; or Marci Hamilton at 215-353-8984). “On March 11, 2004, former Gannon University Chaplain, Lynette Petruska, filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against her former employer, Gannon University, the bishop of the Diocese of Erie, other Erie clergy, and university officials. In her suit, Petruska alleged that she was discriminated against based upon her gender and in retaliation for reporting priest sexual misconduct to the bishop. Her suit also alleged that the university failed to engage in proper oversight of its bishop/chairman as part of an ongoing effort to cover-up priest sexual misconduct, among other things. On December 27, 2004, the district court dismissed Petruska’s action agreeing with the Defendants that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited her from suing the religiously-based institution, church officials, or its Board of Trustees. On May 23, 2006, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and reversed the district court’s decision, allowing Petruska to proceed to trial on her claims against all the Defendants.”
  • Another pastor has been accused of theft in Chicago, IL. Learn more.
  • Abuse victims will have to decide for themselves whether or not to accept the mediation offer from the Denver archdiocese. Learn More.

Boston, MA: Cardinal O’Malley led 10 Masses or prayer services as part of a pilgrimage of penitence for the pain inflicted by the Church on the victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families. Boston VOTF and others asked the Cardinal to keep them in mind during his parish visits: VOTF’s Protecting Our Children noted the requirement that parishes establish “safe environment” programs and urged the Cardinal “to take the opportunity when you are visiting these parishes to inquire as to whether the VIRTUS, TAT and CAP programs have been implemented.” According to Boston Globe coverage:

“When Cardinal O'Malley announced the pilgrimage two weeks ago, Webb [survivor and anti-abuse activist] said the initiative was a step in the right direction, even though the venue was wrong. But she said yesterday that disclosures this week about the cardinal's handling of sexual-misconduct complaints against Dr. Robert M. Haddad [see Boston bullet under Bridgeport, CT above], who resigned early yesterday as head of the archdiocese's healthcare system, undercut the credibility of O'Malley's penance.”

  • Like all the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, like Fr. Madden and Lynette Petruska in the stories above (CT), the human resources chief of Caritas Christi in the Archdiocese of Boston spoke out against her boss – and things changed. See the Boston Globe profile of Helen Drinan.
  • Good news from Our Lady Help of Christians, Newton, MA: OLF meeting with Fr. John and Fr. Joe. On Saturday June 3, members of the Steering Committee of OLF had an excellent meeting with Our Lady's new co-pastors, Fr. John Sassani and Fr. Joe Keil. We learned that Frs. John and Joe are committed to welcoming all as parishioners, just as we have understood "All Are Welcome" in the past. They talked of their strong desire to reach out to the many parishioners who have stopped coming to invite and welcome them back. The Steering Committee was very heartened by this meeting and looks forward to putting most of our emphasis on OLF goal #2: "To restore Our Lady's community to be a healthy, full functioning, vibrant, and welcoming parish". To receive the OLHC occasional e-update, write to ourladysfriends@yahoo.com. Their web site address is www.ourladysfriends.org.

Spokane, WA: The News Tribune reports, “Judge voids sex abuse settlement - Deal called unfair to victims who didn’t sue or who haven’t come forth.” Learn More.

Ohio: On WCPO.com from Associated Press: “Ohioans who were victims of sex abuse as children decades ago lost their last remaining legal battle Wednesday to sue priests and the Roman Catholic Church over those claims.” Time limits to file lawsuits apply even if the victim had no reason to believe until recently that the church knew of the abuse.” SNAP said the group respected the State Supreme Court’s ruling and noted that abusers “basically have gotten away with it.” A survivor of abuse that took place in the 1980s said, "We feel like we have really exposed the Catholic Church's behavior to the light of day. The press coverage has gotten the word out for people to know to keep an eye on their kids and keep an eye on their clergy."

Vermont: A VOTF press release on a questionable move by the Vermont diocese drew a response from Bishop Matano. As reported in the May 18 Vineyard, the bishop placed the state-wide diocese’s parishes in a charitable trust. Go to Vermont’s Times Argus.

 




In the Vineyard
June 8, 2006
Volume 5, Issue 11 Printer Friendly Version (PDF)


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