Clerical Claustrophobia Part 2

. . . At the time I was accused and faced trial in 1994, my attorney 
sought the help of my Diocese to defend the case. I was 
sitting in the attorney’s office on the day he called the 
Chancellor of my diocese asking for details of the protocol 
for reporting accusations of abuse to state officials.The Chancellor, a monsignor, said that the diocese had never had 
to make such a report until accusations emerged against me. I 
was the only one, he said. Months later as I prepared for 
trial, the Chancellor and a diocesan lawyer issued a press 
release about me. Knowing that I refused “plea deals,” 
maintained my innocence, and struggled to mount a defense, the 
press release declared: “The Church has been a victim of the 
actions of Gordon MacRae just as these individuals.” My trial, 
from that point on, was but a farce. . . .