Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post written by David F. Pierre, Jr.
On April 11, 2012, Mitchell Garabedian, probably the most high-profile contingency lawyer in New England, called a press conference to announce that he had reached five- and six-figure settlements with the Catholic Church involving six clerics accused of abuse.
Two of those accused priests served in the Archdiocese of Boston, and the archdiocese paid out sizable settlements related to both of them. The men are Rev. James H. Lane and Rev. Rickard O’Donovan.
The strident Garabedian sat before the media and claimed that his work was proof that he was “exposing these priests so children can be made safer and victims can heal.”
The devil in the details
However, under newspaper headlines such as “Boston Archdiocese settles 2 clergy abuse claims” and “Settlements are reached in clergy sex abuse cases,” a reader had to look deep for the details of these cases.
For example, both men had received just a single accusation, and both allegations involved accusations of something that occurred over four decades ago. Both men had completely unblemished records until single accusers went to Mr. Garabedian merely months ago to claim that the clerics had abused them.
But, most notably, both clerics were long ago deceased. Rev. Lane died in 2007, and Rev. O’Donovan died in 2000.
Since both men had passed away and were no longer around to defend themselves, one would think that the Archdiocese of Boston must have thoroughly investigated the claims against the two priests and determined they were substantiated before doling out their cash settlements.
Unfortunately, if you thought that, you’d be wrong.
Reporting on the settlement, the Boston Globe reported that “the archdiocese was unable to substantiate the accusations against Lane and O’Donovan.” The paper then quoted Archdiocese of Boston spokesperson Terrence C. Donilon, who said, “Every effort is made to fully investigate such claims, but without the ability to question the accused priest, the investigation is limited.”
So here we have a number of cases where the Church has paid out sizable settlements to anonymous accusers based on unproven allegations against previously unblemished priests who are now deceased and unable to defend themselves. (In fact, of the six cases that Garabedian settled, all six were already out of ministry, with five of the six already deceased.)
What is going on?
Indeed, while we must fully acknowledge the grievous harm to victims committed by abusive clergy, there appears to be a dramatic shift in the way the Church is handling claims as opposed to a couple of decades ago. The embarrassing past failures of bishops decades ago to properly expel criminal priests have now prompted many leaders to act over-militantly to accusations. Fearing the public criticism that they are “coddling child molesters,” bishops seem intent to rid themselves of an accused priest as expeditiously as possible, even if the individual may be innocent – and deceased.
Catholic scholar Dr. Jeffrey A. Mirus has observed, “The attitude of many bishops seems to have changed from an assumption of innocence to a desire to distance oneself as quickly as possible from anyone who is accused.”
And it appears part of this “distancing” for some dioceses is to pay out sizable settlements with as little conflict as possible.
An upset parish
Shortly after the announcement of the Boston settlement, hundreds of parishioners from St. Brendan’s Parish in Dorchester, Massachusetts, gathered for a Mass in memory of the beloved Rev. Lane. A 2007 obituary recounted a priest who touched countless lives during nearly four decades in ministry.
As the Boston Globe reported, the April 19 Mass was a “quiet, intensely felt service,” but there was an underlying anger among the gathering.
At the end of the Mass, a longtime parishioner and friend of Rev. Lane, apparently unable to contain himself, rose and exclaimed, “I don’t care what anybody says. Father Lane never abused a child.’’
With those words, the gathering broke into a thundering and cathartic applause that lasted over a minute.
Where’s the outrage? Where’s the discussion?
The cases of Rev. Lane and Rev. O’Donovan epitomize how accusations of child abuse are handled far differently when it comes to Catholic priests and the Catholic Church. It is unthinkable that any other organization would pay out settlements for wrongdoing by previously unblemished employees for unfounded allegations that are decades old.
Indeed, this is a troubling standard that needs to be addressed. Yet it appears that there is little sign that this important issue is even on the table for discussion anywhere. Dioceses are appearing to simply weigh the costs of settling complaints versus fighting them. Dioceses know that the costs of fighting cases usually far exceed the costs of simply settling them.
One can easily imagine that such a situation is ripe for opportunities for fraud. And as Fr. MacRae has written, accusing a Catholic priest of abuse was “a current and popular scam” among prison inmates even as far back as 2001. One can only guess how much this deceit has grown since then.
Meanwhile, forgotten in all of this are the reputations of these accused men. Until the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to settlements, Revs. Lane and O’Donovan were well-respected priests who were remembered fondly by their parishioners. Now, their names are plastered on the Internet as accused child molesters. This is something that the families, friends, and colleagues of these accused men now must endure.
Don’t our priests deserve much better than this?
Oremus.
— Dave Pierre is the author of two books, Double Standard: Abuse Scandals and the Attack on the Catholic Church and Catholic Priests Falsely Accused: The Facts, The Fraud, The Stories. Dave is also the founder and chief operator of TheMediaReport.com, a site dedicated to monitoring the media’s coverage of the Catholic Church abuse narrative.
It would seem the media are hand in glove with the layers in these cases … the media furthers its anti-church agenda by reporting on them … the lawyers have their ‘job’ made easier by the media’s continually stoking of the fires … pray for the conversion of their hearts & the their will be justice for good priest wrongly accused …
Today, prostitution takes many forms!
To my mind, doing anything for money, to sell one’s soul, lying to do so, well it’s more repulsive..
And the fact that the poor priests had passed, well good luck to the bishops who failed to execute justice when they face the throne of Justice Himself!
I guess I shouldn’t be amazed that some of the priests pushing for quicky settlements say there is no motive at all for anyone to make false accusations.
Prayers and blessings for you and yours and your intentions, David!
— Father George
We must never stop praying and working for and demanding that the truth in respect of falsely accused priests is heard and that the Church, particularly the bishops lead in ensuring that priests are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and that accused priests get due process – basic human rights. It is the moral duty of the bishop or anyone in a position of authority vis-a-vis the priest and an investigation of complaints to ensure this. Only the truth can heal.
Dear Mr. Pierre,
Thank you for an excellent post, and for doing what many journalist would not dare to do. Which is, exposing theses cases against the Church for what they are, a shameless scam!
It’s the secular media ( if you can call it media), and contingency lawyers who stand to gain millions from bogus cases, who have managed to deceive the general public. Making them believe, that all cases that have come forward, are real.
Sadly, most are convinced that if a priest is accused, he is guilty. Why else would they bring forth charges? It never dawns on them, that the charges could be false, contrived, or so old, it would be impossible to prove, one way or the other.
It is a grave sin on our part, as the Body of Christ, to have been indifferent, or unwilling to stand up for the truth. We have no one blame, but ourselves, for all the injustices that have transpired.
Truly, we have no right to complain. None at all.
The weight of this mess, should fall squarely on my shoulders.
And on the shoulders of every single Catholic, who was unwilling protest in the face of injustice.
Unwilling to protest against the ill treatment of our priests.
Unwilling to protest, about the way our Bishops were handling these cases.
Unwilling to say to the media, that we would no longer tolerate their embarrassing, and shameful bias, and anti-Catholicism! They function with impunity, and get away with murder, and their lies, only serve to further injustice.
Think about Fr. Gordon, and all the pain, the disappointments, the sorrow he has been made to endure for 18 years. It is only by the grace of God that he found his voice, through TSW.
But how many more priests are out there?
Alone in prison, forgotten by the world, with no voice, no hope, abandoned by all, even their own bishops.
How many?
What sorrow to know, that in many cases, bishops don’t act as men of God, but have instead, joined the enemy’s files. And weather they know it or not, they do the work of the evil doers. It is because of the inherit dignity of the Priesthood, that more is expected from them, it is precisely because of this dignity, they owe so much more to their brother priests.
For, to whom much is given, much is required.
Let us then repent. All of us.
Let us awaken, from our long slumber.
Let us stand boldly for truth.
Let us fight ferociously for our Mother, the Church.
Let us dispel the ignorance, about our Faith.
M0st of all, let us pray.
Prayer, is the one thing, that we can all do. It is with prayer alone that we have any hope of combating evil.
Father Gordon, may God who sees all things, restore your freedom. May he comfort you, and heal all your wounds. May He give you the strength you need to wage war against the father of all lies.
There are many forces out there, including the secular media, who are bent on destroying Christ’s True Church, and it seems to me that the easiest way of doing this, is by destroying Her priests. Let us join in prayer, with sincere hearts, that our Lord may hear us, and deliver us, in His Mercy and Grace.
May St Michael, who I have found to be the most trusted of guardians, and the most faithful of friends, be with you. May he shield you, and be at your side every step of the battle.
Be assured of my humble prayers for you.
In Christ our Savior, and Reedemer,
Marty
It is truly unjust,
As one who was molested by a priest but never sued the Catholic Church, I find that bishops who throw accused priests to the wolves or settle claims even though the evidence was not sufficient by any standard to be poor representatives of Christ. To acquiesce to calumny and extorting money from the Church is disgusting. Our priests periodically ask us to be heroic in witnessing to the faith. With this example, how can we be heroic?
On the other hand, juries are so poisoned against the Catholic Church and have lost all sense of balance. In the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, Bishop Matano fought these cases believing that juries here would see through the obvious attempts at money grabbing. Unfortunately in many cases the jury awards have been huge even though the molestations happened over 30 years ago and the bishop at the time was following the advice from psychiatrists. These jury awards were reduced in a settlement with the plaintiffs which nonetheless emptied the available money for these kinds of awards. And yet more accusers still come and their supporters online rejoice at the thought of tearing down all the Catholic Churches and schools in the state so that accusers can be paid.
My current parish is a gorgeous church which each generation, mostly French Canadians, has added to since 1870. After the molestation, I drifted away from the Church for 17 years and only came back around 1992. As a frequent mass attendee, now sometimes several times a week, I could not look my fellow parishioners in the eye thinking that I would join in trying to tear down our lovely church and cripple all our charitible institutions. In addition, the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of forgiveness for which I will be eternally thankful. The fact that the priest who molested me was suspended and then defrocked helped a great deal of course.
Despite the fact that our bishops have suspended, defrocked, and turned over priests to law enforcement (at least one priest was exhonerated and returned to ministry at his parish in Vermont and the parishioners gave him a standing ovation), despite that generations have contributed to the beauty of our churches, despite the damage to the faith of parishioners that tearing down our churches would do and would create a second class of victims out of the parishioners in the pews, the accusers and their lawyers sit with wrecking balls poised. As witnesses to the truth, I call upon our bishops to be as heroic as they ask us to be.
I feel like I would not know a thing about this topic if I did not read These Stone Walls. Where is the outrage of the entire Church over THIS scandal?It is as if because one has committed sin, he can no longer tell others not to. What about the apostles? Where would we be without their witness, even after their own sins?
The Church would rather be accused and bled dry, as well as mislead the faithful by not standing behind her priests, until such time as proof is made visible of their guilt, leading the world to think that this is the awful truth about MOST priests? How are we any better off than we were? Why is the answer, just pay them off, and settle? Are we a Church full of cowards and cohorts of the evil one?
This is enough to break one’s heart, even more. Who will be the Bishop who stands up for his priest, especially when the man is dead and can’t answer the charge made against him???
This site, dear Fr. has made me aware. I now take the opportunity to write to any bishop or priest who courageously proclaims the truth, letting them know I am supporting them.
How do we encourage our bishops to stand up for their priests? There should be no automatic race to the bank to pay off any accuser, along with the bloodthirsty lawyers who defend these accusers. Our bishops need to remember that a man is innocent until proven guilty.
The enemy has found an Achilles heel, and is basking in that treasure. We need to get the word out to the average secular readers. They are being mislead.
I seem to stay in a state of outrage these days. But because of my faith, I know there is hope. I hope for you Fr.that your next anniversary will be spent outside those stone walls. God bless you for your perseverance. And thanks to Mr. Pierre for his good work. We are all in your debt.
Dear Fr. Gordon, Congratulations!! I believe you are one of many priests today who have spent more time with Christ in the “Garden” than even His Apostles!! It’s very easy for me to visualize Jesus ‘looking” down through the ages, & seeing you in prison for His Name! When the Angels came to comfort Him, I believe that was one of the things they did! Helped Him focus on those who would be faithful, persecuted, & remain awake during their trials! How Special you must be to His Sacred Heart!! God bless you!
Kathleen Riney
David,
In my case, I found out that Diocese’s lawyers advocated that the Diocese distance themselves from me BEFORE I even knew that I had been accused! And for the 13 years that followed, the Shepherd of this part of the world followed that advice to the letter.
The shame is that Gospel living is so far down the list in the day to day world of Church administration.
Dear Father Gordon, Congratulations on your 30 years. The guest writers you have chosen , are excellent, but I will welcome your posts next week. Please remember me in your prayers. I have no doubt, your prayers are quickly heard by Our Dear Father. I so look forward to your release and a bright future, altho, I think your life as God’s servant is definately a NOW event. God Bless You, you are in my prayers.
Dear Father Gordon!
Happy 30th Anniversary in the service of the Lord! And what a service it has been! You have truly followed in the footsteps of the Lord for He too was accused, doubted, slandered.
Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo: Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput ejus. Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto. . .
Behold a great priest who in his days pleased God:
Therefore by an oath the Lord made him to increase among his people. To him He gave the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. Therefore by an oath the Lord made him to increase among his people. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. . .
You are a priest forever: your friends and God knows that.
You have followers from many nations who know the truth.
You are not diminished but have increased the Lord’s flock where you are.The Lord’s glory shines through you in your misery because you have not abandoned Him. In that, you are truly free while many out here are in their own prison of self induced misery. They have not let God be in their life and it shows.
David, I have passed on your books to my priests and ask people to get them. I pray that the dioceses will come to their senses and see that money is not the answer but a big part of this problem. They will have to answer too for allowing this to go so far. They have perpetuated the false abuse by not standing up for the innocents.
God love and bless you all and prayers continue for you dear friend as well as Pornchai and your other friends.
Jeannie
When Alice arrives in Wonderland, and meets the Mad Hatter, she is told: “We’re all mad here.” Where are we, anyway? My head is spinning after reading David Pierre’s excellent post. As a lay Catholic my heart hurts for Father Lane’s onetime parishioners.
Father MacRae, my congratulations and appreciation for 30 years of faithful priesthood. Our parish has been without a priest since January. We no longer take for granted, if we ever did, Mass, Confession and all the guidance a priest offers. I pray for your freedom and for you in the challenges that will then be yours.
Rejoicing in hope,
Barbara
Thank you, Mr. Pierre. Even though it makes me sick and angry to read about these poor priests, I do appreciate that you tell us about them. You have certainly opened my eyes to the actual truth with your books and your website. I admire that you are courageously spreading the truth and fighting this present evil. God bless you.
Fr. Gordon, we look forward to having you back next week!
This is so distrubing. The only thing I can say is these people might be cashing in here and now – but God knows the truth. I don’t happen to believe the accusations, and if they are lying, I hope these people come to their senses. Someday they will meet Jesus and He will say, “what you did to the least of these my brevren you have done to me.” What a chilling thought. All the money in the world isn’t worth hearing that!
Dear Fr. Gordon,
First of all, congratulations on the 30th anniversary of your ordination. Secondly, thank you for being a faithful witness to the truth.
You and all the other priests who have been falsely accused remain in our prayers. May justice soon be served.
God bless you.
Thanks, Mr. Pierre for bringing this case to our attention. How shameful of the Diocese to just pay the settlement fee, and not fight to defend very dedicated priests giving years and years of service to their congregations. Why would they let such accusers tarnish the GOOD name of dedicated priests, now deceased? And we teach reverence for the dead? How that must hurt their family and friends.
Will be glad to have you back next week, Fr. Gordon. Your contributors wrote good articles–but you were missed!
Hi Fr. Gordon,
Peace be with you. It is something both incredible and dispicable that accusations against dead priests who had no prior claimswere settled rather than contested. When you are exhonorated, I pray that this will change. On the other hand, based upon what is happening, it might be that everyone, including the press and our bishops, will sweep it under the carpet. Whatever the case, you remain in our prayers.
Jim Guzek
Our eyes seem as wide open as they can get, but they get wider as we learn more evil in the world, especially against people who have given their very lives in service to all of us, for the Glory of God–not their own name. So when they are slandered, it is slandering our very Lord and Savior. HE knows oh-so-well what it is already. Our comfort is in knowing His TRUTH will prevail–if not upon this wilting earth, then in eternity where it matters most. Then, I put on my work boots and get back to the job of re-seeding, watering, and weeding for our Lord!
Dear Friends,
I am very thankful to Dave Pierre for this guest post. He is the last of our guest writers, and though the truth he tells here is painful, we must all help spread it around because it IS the truth. David Pierre is a courageous servent of the Church, and I am most fortunate to have his presence on TSW. If you have not subscribed to his posts at http://www.themediareport.com you are missing a truth that the rest of the news media wants to keep from you.
I will be back here on TSW next Wednesday with my own post about my 30th anniversary of priesthood ordination. I’ll have a few things to say about priestly witness.
God Bless,
Fr. Gordon