Priest, Pastor, Predator
Many bishops swiftly reappoint priests and ministers who have admitted to sexual misconduct with an adult man or woman. These bishops frequently portray the sexual violation as "consensual," creating confusion for the victim's spouse and family, for congregants, and ultimately for the predators themselves.
Honorary diocesan positions and religious celebrations with clergy who have admitted to sexually violating someone in their care further contribute to an "enabling" atmosphere for these offenders.
Some of these priests, including priests with children, also serve as vocations directors, preparing young men for a life of celibacy.
Criminal Statutes and Denominational Policies
It's a Breach of Ethics …
Bishops, offending clergy, and congregants alike should realize that the euphemism "sexual misconduct" cannot erase the fact that sexual violation by a caregiver of someone in his or her care is considered a criminal offense in several states. Most denominational policies state unequivocally that consensual sexual relations between clergy and congregant is impossible due to the power differential between the two parties.
… Not Consensual Sexual Relations
Catholic bishops apparently have the right to publicly maintain that such sexual violations were "consensual" matters between two adults:
Unlike the [USCCB's 2002] Dallas Charter's zero tolerance rules for sexual abuse of minors, bishops are given discretion in dealing with priests who violate their vow of celibacy when [the bishop claims] it involves a consenting adult, according to Toledo Blade religion editor, David Yonke. See his article: "Bishop Blair knew of priest's sexual sin." Toledo Blade (July 25, 2007).
Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Calls Clergy Sexual Abuse of Adults "Truly Horrible Acts"
According to David Usborne in an article in the Irish newspaper The Independent (December 5, 2002), "Catholic leaders admit 'horrible' abuse by priests":
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston conceded yesterday that some of its priests had committed ‘truly horrible’ acts against women … The documents record that priests took sexual advantage of women training to become nuns, conducted affairs with women parishioners …
The Catholic diocese of Oakland states in its online brochure for adults who have been sexually victimized by clergy, No More Secrets, Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse [oakdiocese.org/survivors/inside.pdf]:
Can clergy sexual activity ever be consensual on the part of the victim? NEVER! The power differential in the relationship automatically puts the priest (or deacon) in the position of power. Therefore, there can never exist a true mutually consensual agreement.
Why Bishops Protect Predators
In a December 2004 article in the Journal of Adult Protection Margaret Kennedy, an advocate for women sexually violated by clergy, provides an explanation of why bishops protect predators. As Kennedy puts it:
Women's experience of violation is secondary to the priests' vocation to serve God. These men are supported and moved to a new parish while the victims languish in pain and suffering, seen only as women who have caused scandal for the priest.
Bishops Celebrating and Promoting Predators
John Bathersby
Leonard Blair
Peter Christensen
Jim Cryan
Francis DiLorenzo
Michael Jackels
Daniel Jenky
Oscar H. Lipscomb
William Swing
John Bathersby, archbishop of Brisbane, Australia
- Michael Crutcher. "Catholic Church continues support of sex-abuse priest." Courier Mail.com (February 20, 2009).
The Catholic Church continues to let a priest hold a position of authority in Brisbane despite admitting he once sexually abused a fellow priest.
Leonard Blair, bishop of the Toledo, Ohio diocese
David Nuss, diocese of Toledo, Ohio
According to the Toledo Blade, David Nuss told the bishop in January 2007 that he had been involved with an adult woman during the fall of 2006. The news reports indicate that Nuss said Mass for the funeral of the woman's husband in April of 2006 and consequently began a relationship with the widow and befriended her young children.
- "Diocese of Toledo to celebrate priesthood ordination." Press Release (May 29, 2007).
For more information on . . . the priesthood ordination ceremony please contact Father David Nuss, Director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Toledo.
- Robin Erb. "Diocese: Local priest had inappropriate contact with woman." Toledo Blade (July 23, 2007).
A Toledo priest . . . has been placed on a sabbatical after a "consensual but inappropriate" relationship with a woman, the Toledo diocese said.
- David Yonke. "Bishop Blair knew of priest's sexual sin." Toledo Blade (July 25, 2007).
. . . [diocesan spokesperson] Sally Oberski said Father Nuss' relationship with the anonymous woman, reported to be 37 years old, "didn't violate the charter," referring to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by U.S. bishops in Dallas in 2002 . . .
- "New Associate Pastor (David Nuss) for Sandusky Saint Mary Parish named." Diocese of Toledo Press Release (December 14, 2007).
Peter Christensen, bishop of the Superior, Wisconsin diocese
Henry Willenborg, Franciscan friar
- Laurie Goodstein. "A mother, a sick son and his father, the priest."
New York Times (October 16, 2009).
See the nearly 600 online reader comments on this story.
- Laurie Goodstein. "Priest who fathered son is suspended, and under inquiry." New York Times (October 17, 2009).
A Franciscan priest who fathered a child with a woman who had come to him for marriage counseling was suspended from his parish duties by his Roman Catholic bishop …
- Melissa Ganje and photojournalist Carrie Kohlmeier. "Parishioners support suspended Ashland priest." FOX 21 News (October 18, 2009).
"… he was suspended, not because of the relationship with Pat Bond because that's not criminal …" said Christensen.
- Chad Dally. "Parish shows support for Willenborg." Ashland Daily Press (October 20, 2009).
Bishop Peter Christensen, leader of the Diocese of Superior, said Sunday that, contrary to some media reports, Willenborg was not suspended for fathering a child …
- Susan Weich. "Woman who says she was victim of a priest asks other victims to come forward." St. Louis Post-Dispatch (October 23, 2009).
- Gary Tuchman and Katherine Wojtecki. "Father Henry, a secret father." CNN Anderson Cooper 360 (November 12, 2009).
See three-part CNN video online at:
www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/11/secret.father/
Jim Cryan, Toledo provincial, Oblates of St. Francis deSales
Chet Warren, OSFS
- Bill Frogameni. "Toledo native Barbara Blaine crusades against sexual abuse in the Catholic church." Toledo City Paper (April 29, 2004). Article available on BishopAccountability's Documentary History of the Crisis website.
Warren stayed in ministry until put on leave in September 1992, shortly before Blaine's story was mentioned on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Blaine says she was asked to participate in a 1986 counseling session along with Warren, a therapist and Father Paul Grehl, then Warren's superior. Blaine says Warren initially denied everything during that session but eventually conceded her claim.
Cryan seems moved by Warren's crimes and the church's poor handling of the situation. He laments his own mishandling of the case …
Francis DiLorenzo, bishop of the Richmond, Virginia diocese
James E. Gallagher, Jr., diocese of Richmond, Virginia
- "Va. priest admits to misconduct." Richmond Times Dispatch (December 13, 2004).
Jim Gallagher resigned as pastor of Harrisonburg's Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church after admitting "sexual misconduct with an adult woman" … The diocese has temporarily suspended Gallagher pending an investigation …
- Ruth Jones. "Priest leaving school, church after suspension." Staunton News Leader (December 14, 2004).
Gallagher … was one of four parish priests who came to Guardian Angel Regional Catholic School as a spiritual consultant once a month to have Mass with the students.
- Rob Longley. "Church dealing with shocking news." Daily News Record (December 15, 2004).
"I don't see him as the kind of man who would go after women," said [Mrs. Patty Huffman, Religious Educator at Blessed Sacrament Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia]. "There's a … naivete and vulnerability [about him]. He never says 'no' to anyone."
- Patricia Murphy (letter to the editor). "Resignation story was sad." Daily News Record (December 21, 2004):
"How sad and disappointing that the sin of a local priest is given headline status in the Daily News Record … No laws in our government were broken, no police blotter will record his deeds …"
- Gallagher was reassigned to a trio of clustered parishes in September 2005: St. Victoria in Hurt, Virginia; Our Lady of Peace in Appomattox, Virginia; and Holy Cross in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- Diocese of Richmond announcement in the Catholic Virginian
(January 28, 2008):
A Couples' Valentine's Candlelight Dinner will be … followed by Father James Gallagher speaking about the marriage covenant … and an opportunity for couples to renew their marriage vows. [After the announcement was published in the diocesan newsletter, Gallagher was cancelled as guest speaker for the Valentine's event at the Tabor Retreat Center.]
- Gallagher is now pastor of the parishes in Hurt and Appomattox, Virginia. In a 2009 article in the Catholic Virginian Gallagher asserts:
"I love being a priest, and as far as I'm concerned, it can't get better than this."
Michael Jackels, bishop of the Wichita, Kansas diocese
Nicholas Voelker, diocese of Wichita, Kansas
- Jackels went to St. Rose to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the parish and Priesthood Sunday with Voelker and included Voelker's picture and article in the diocesan newspaper. Catholic Advance (November 2005).
- Statement of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
regarding Father Nicholas Voelker (December 7, 2005).
In a recent public statement, Father Voelker's bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Jackels, wrote: [The complaint against Father Voelker] was not a case of clergy sexual abuse; rather it was a relationship between a priest and an adult woman which was both inappropriate and sinful, but nevertheless consensual.
- "Woman claims priest assaulted her." KSN.com (September 5, 2006).
Peggy Warren claims she was sexually assaulted twice last summer by Father Nicholas Voelker. "After the first assault, Voelker begged for my forgiveness and swore it would never happen again. I made the mistake of believing my priest," said Warren.
- "Bishop announces clergy leadership program." Catholic Advance (December 2008).
The group of 42 priests listed below will begin a two-year program called Good Leaders, Good Shepherds. The program is designed to help priests to be better leaders after the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Participants in the inaugural group [include]: Nicholas Voelker.
Daniel R. Jenky, bishop of the Peoria, Illinois diocese
Thomas Szydlik, diocese of Peoria, Illinois
- Steve Gonzales. "Suit claims Catholic priest impregnated parishioner then coerced her into abortion." St. Clair Record (April 3, 2008).
- Steve Gonzalez. "Bishop, Peoria Diocese seek dismissal from priest sex abuse suit." The Madison St. Clair Record (June 23, 2008).
Jenky further argues that it is not only an adjudication of religious issues which violates the First Amendment, but the mere "process of inquiry" runs afoul of the establishment clause.
- "Centennial Mass in Dallas City Saturday." Catholic Post (October 19, 2008).
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will . . . join Sacred Heart parishioners on Saturday, Oct. 25, to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Concelebrants for the 4 p.m. Mass include Father Trosley and Father Thomas Szydlik, parochial vicar.
- Terry Bibo. "Groups ask Diocese to stop priest's Mass: The Rev. Szydlik, accused of sexual assault, will lead worship at church's anniversary."
PJ Star.com (October 24, 2008).
Diocesan chancellor and attorney Patricia Gibson issued the following statement: "The case involving Father Thomas Szydlik and Holly Force involved consenting adults and is not a case involving sexual abuse of a child."
Oscar H. Lipscomb, bishop of the archdiocese of Mobile
- Garry Mitchell. "Widening probe of priests' sexual misconduct in Mobile." Tuscaloosa News (April 3, 2003). Article available on the Poynter Center AbuseTracker website archive.
Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, 71, stunned parishioners last month when he disclosed that he left a priest in the ministry who had admitted to sexual abuse of young men.
Adrian Cook, archdiocese of Mobile
- Steve Myers. "Woman says she was abused by Catholic priest in 1970s: The Rev. Adrian Cook, however, says incidents were consensual."
The Mobile Register (April 2, 2003).
Cook, 57, now serves as pastor of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Brewton . . . he acknowledged that he had sex with Weiss, but said it was consensual. He also confirmed that he had fathered a child with another woman.
William Swing, Episcopal bishop of California
John Bennison, pastor at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Clayton
- Dan Noyes. "Priest can't escape history of sexual misconduct." ABC7News (May 25, 2006).
Margo Maris has been an Episcopal priest for almost 30 years, and she investigated Bennison's misconduct for the church. She is shocked that the bishop of California, San Francisco's William Swing, has allowed Bennison to remain at Saint John's in Clayton after reading all the sordid details.