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

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Leonard Blair, bishop of the Toledo, Ohio diocese

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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.


Peter Christensen, bishop of the Superior, Wisconsin diocese

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Henry Willenborg, Franciscan friar


Jim Cryan, Toledo provincial, Oblates of St. Francis deSales

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Chet Warren, OSFS


Francis DiLorenzo, bishop of the Richmond, Virginia diocese

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James E. Gallagher, Jr., diocese of Richmond, Virginia


Michael Jackels, bishop of the Wichita, Kansas diocese

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Nicholas Voelker, diocese of Wichita, Kansas


Daniel R. Jenky, bishop of the Peoria, Illinois diocese

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Thomas Szydlik, diocese of Peoria, Illinois


Oscar H. Lipscomb, bishop of the archdiocese of Mobile

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Adrian Cook, archdiocese of Mobile


William Swing, Episcopal bishop of California

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John Bennison, pastor at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Clayton