Personnel files show LA archdiocese ignored complaints about priest misconduct for decades

AP Wire (direct feed) | October 11, 2005 | Laura Wides

[NYer]

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ For decades, the Los Angeles Archdiocese ignored parishioners' sex abuse complaints and shipped accused priests between therapy and new assignments, according to newly released personnel records involving 126 clergymen.

In many cases, there was little mention of child molestation. Instead, euphemisms such as ``boundary violations'' were used to describe the conduct.

The summaries of the personnel records were released Tuesday as part of settlement talks with lawyers for more than 500 accusers who sued the nation's largest Roman Catholic archdiocese.

The records, released after nearly three years of legal wrangling, cover priests who were ordained as far back as the 1920s. The documents offer details in numerous cases, though much of the information has already been published.

Raymond P. Boucher, the plaintiffs' lead attorney, said the newly released information was a first step but that complete personnel files, including letters of transfer and other confidential documents, should be made public.

``The significance of these files is that they provide a little more information for the public about the church's knowledge and frankly their participation in the molestation of children, but until the (entire) files are made public, we're not going to be satisfied,'' he said.

Archdiocese and plaintiff attorneys had agreed to release the information, but lawyers for the accused clergy succeeded in blocking publication, arguing it would violate their clients' privacy rights.

An appellate court ordered the documents released last month. Archdiocese attorney J. Michael Hennigan called Boucher's concerns that the summaries might be whitewashed ``nonsense.'' ``Ray has not seen the files themselves and has no basis to say that beyond speculation,'' he said. ``These are accurate descriptions of the content of the files, without disclosing confidential communication.''

One priest, who served as a teacher and administrator at numerous Southern California schools, was convicted of molesting two boys and given probation. The conviction was later expunged from his record. A subsequent report was made in 1994 of ``boundary violations,'' in which he allegedly patted the buttocks of a teenager. He entered alcohol treatment days later and was eventually placed on leave.

Another priest's file shows the archdiocese received repeated complaints that he engaged in ``inappropriate sexual conduct with children'' beginning in 1959, but that it did not appear to take significant action against him until 1994 when he was relieved of his duties, documents said.

David Clohessy, who heads a victims' rights group, called the information release a ``shrewd public relations effort,'' as civil cases against the clergy inch toward trial. But Hennigan said in the early days of the accusations, church officials did not go to civil authorities because ``parents of children who had been victims did not want their children famous for this. They did not want people talking about this.''

Hennigan said that in many cases counseling was offered to clergymen accused of abuse. Those accused were generally removed from the ministry altogether as church officials' understanding of sexual abuse increased, he said. The files show that in many cases the church provided years of therapy to some of the clergy.

The archdiocese has posted nearly 150 pages of summaries from the clergy files on its Web site. ___

On the Net:

http://www.la-archdiocese.org

AP-ES-10-12-05 0807EDT

[dsc]

"In other words, this problem has been around for a long time and is NOT the result of Vatican Council II."

Of course there were incidents of priestly misconduct prior to Vat II.

However, we can't even guess at any effect that Vat II might have had without a lot more information, a good deal of which may never be available.

Aside from the obvious (numbers of incidents, hetero vs. homo, age of victims, etc.), what were the attitudes among priests before and after Vat II? Were their Bishops as faithless as Weakland and Mahoney prior to Vat II?

If subversive elements were present in the Church prior to Vat II, what role did Vat II play in elevating them to positions of authority, in making them the "mainstream?"

Even if we agree that Vat II did not cause this or that, it seems clear that it exacerbated existing problems, gave heretics a seat at the head of the table, and provided modernists numerous pretexts to introduce novelties.

[television is just wrong]

This and many other reasons is why I left the catholic church. They sponsor illegal immigration, the have a history of molesting children and covering it up. I was slapped around in grammar school, pulled out of the desk chair by my ear because I didn't have a pencil, whacked on the hand with a ruler and given detention because the nun didn't like me.
I wouldn't ever consider putting a child in a school like that.

[dsc]

"I was slapped around in grammar school, pulled out of the desk chair by my ear because I didn't have a pencil, whacked on the hand with a ruler and given detention because the nun didn't like me. I wouldn't ever consider putting a child in a school like that."

If I could find one like that today, I'd put my kids in it like a shot.

Hardly as strict as the schools I attended, but some discipline is better than none.

[It's me]

Oh you cna be sure Mahoney will have to answer. If not in this life then in the next.

[It's me]

Oh, you can be sure Mahoney will have to answer. If not in this life then in the next.

[kstewskis]

PHONEY BALONEY MAHONY PING!

[NYer]

They sponsor illegal immigration, the have a history of molesting children and covering it up. I was slapped around in grammar school, pulled out of the desk chair by my ear because I didn't have a pencil, whacked on the hand with a ruler and given detention because the nun didn't like me. I wouldn't ever consider putting a child in a school like that.

There are more child molesters in the public school system than in the Catholic Church. What do you plan to do about this? Home schooling?

abuse was not only a Catholic problem and was worse in many Protestant churches, but the media didn't cover this fact.
Prof critiques coverage of (Catholic) church scandal (How the 'perfect storm' developed)

[siunevada]

Is the infallibility doctrine involved in arriving at the conclusions of Vatican II?

I don't understand the question. Could you re-phrase it?

[kimosabe31]

Anyone know how many pedophilia complaints against Mahony are contained in the files? Since he was in charge of editing, I'm sure everythings been expunged.

[kimosabe31]

Taking it hurts Joe the plumber and Teresa the secretary down the street and their kids, who will have neither a parish nor a school nearby, instead of having one that their parents helped to build.

Fact of the matter is, Campion, unless Joe and Theresa are themselves into pedophilia...they have no church, no church school and no parish to send their children to. Would you allow a child of yours anywhere near roman catholic facility unchaperoned by a family member? And if the child requires a chaperone, why allow him/her there in the first place?

It's painfully obvious that hierarchs like Mahony have been enablers, aiders and abetters, and most likely practitioners of and participants in pedophilia for decades. The Roman Catholic Church was hi-jacked by leftist homosexuals many decades ago and transformed into a vehicle and safe haven for man-boy sex preying upon innocent young children entrusted to them by naive parents. Obviously the hierarchs care nothing for the church message or mission. They joke about it behind parishoners backs while they take their money and molest their children. They are very far from God. They are glorified pimps. Parishoners that continue supporting them are not only suckers, they are accessories to the crime of pedophilia.

My advice would be to seek the true church of God.

[Desdemona]

That attempted destruction of our Holy Mother the Church has been systematic, large scale and well financed through most of the XXth Century.

Work gets in the way of Freeping.

People think I'm nuts, but I absolutely agree that there were forces trying to destroy the church. And I don't think it was a conspiracy, either.

[Desdemona]

What is the level of tolerance we should have for child molesters?

About the same as honest Catholics have for Roger Mahoney, who never should have been elevated to bishop, let alone cardinal. The man, right now, is the worst we've got.

[Desdemona]

Is the infallibility doctrine involved in arriving at the conclusions of Vatican II?

Are you talking about papal infallibility? No. Nothing was ex cathedra and no dogma or canon law changed. It was an eccumenical council that had a whole bunch of dissent and apostacy and the modernists got their way.

[street_lawyer]

Is the infallibility doctrine involved in arriving at the conclusions of Vatican II?
I don't understand the question. Could you re-phrase it?

I wish I could but I'm not sure even of what I asked. I am told that the Pope is infallible in certain matters of faith and morals. Is the result of Vatican II within those powers of the Pope, or can Vat II be in error?

[street_lawyer]

"Is the infallibility doctrine involved in arriving at the conclusions of Vatican II?
Are you talking about papal infallibility? No. Nothing was ex cathedra and no dogma or canon law changed. It was an ecumenical council that had a whole bunch of dissent and apostasy and the modernists got their way."


Thank you for your response. I'm not sure exactly what canon law or dogma is but I'm interested enough in it to do some research on it.

[siunevada]

I am told that the Pope is infallible in certain matters of faith and morals. Is the result of Vatican II within those powers of the Pope, or can Vat II be in error?

I thought that was your question.

Yeah, I'd repeat the response you received that there isn't anything 'new' in Vatican II. You could check out the 16 documents yourself and see if anything looks 'new':

Docs

Infallibility is a funny thing. Even some Catholics make a mistake about Who the Church thinks infallibility belongs to, it's not an inherently human trait:

889 In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a "supernatural sense of faith" the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's living Magisterium, "unfailingly adheres to this faith."

The exercise of the hierarchy's responsibility is undertood to be like this:

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

[street_lawyer]

Before I begin I must make this disclosure. I am not a Catholic, but I believe that true Catholics are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would say the same for all true Christians. The following is only an intellectual discussion on Cannon Law. Since it is law I have an interest in it.

I was told that Vatican II did not alter the dogma of the Church. That statement comes into question by some quick research that I did on the subject. I would naturally defer to your experience in this area since apparently you are a Catholic and I presume that as such you have a wealth of information that I lack. Nevertheless, if the following information was taken from the Columbia Encyclopedia and I assume it is authoritative, accurate and reliable

“Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas) is belief or doctrine held by a religion or any kind of organization to be authoritative.”

“The voice of the pope, either alone or in conjunction with his bishops in council, is regarded as infallible when speaking on matters of faith and morals taught in common with the bishops (see infallibility). Many features of the traditional teaching (dogma) have been analyzed and restated, by the councils and by great theologians (see council, ecumenical; creed; Thomas Aquinas, Saint; Trent, Council of; Vatican Council, First; Vatican Council, Second).”[1]

            It would appear then if the above reference is correct that Vatican II did restate to some extent the dogma of the Church.

            Cannon law is defined as “the body of law based on the legislation of the councils (both ecumenical and local) and the popes, as well as the bishops (for diocesan matters). It is the law of the church courts and is formally distinguished from other parts of ecclesiastical law, such as liturgical law. However, when liturgical law overlaps with canon law, canon law normally prevails.” [2]

            It would also appear from the forgoing reference that Cannon Law arises out of the works of ecumenical councils such as Vatican II.

            “The Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church, which became effective in 1983, is a revision of the Codex juris canonici [code of canon law], promulgated in 1917.”[3]

            “In 1959, Pope John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Council and announced a revision of the code of 1917. In 1963 he appointed a pontifical commission for the revision; the revised code became effective in 1983.”[4]

            “One of the announced aims of the conference was to consider reform of the liturgy, primarily to bring the layman into closer participation in the church services and therefore to encourage some diversity in language and practice.”[5]

            “By the time of its adjournment the council had issued four constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations.”[6]

            “Out of Session III (Sept.–Nov., 1964) came the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (which espoused the principle of episcopal collegiality with the pope), the decrees on ecumenism and on the Eastern Catholic churches, and the proclamation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the “Mother of the Church.”[7]

            The preface to the Dei Verbum {Divine Revelation} reads as follows:

“1. Hearing the word of God with reverence and proclaiming it with faith, the sacred synod takes its direction from these words of St. John: "We announce to you the eternal life which dwelt with the Father and was made visible to us. What we have seen and heard we announce to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and our common fellowship be with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:2-3). Therefore, following in the footsteps of the Council of Trent and of the First Vatican Council, this present council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.”

---

[1] Columbia Encyclopedia

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Columbia Encyclopedia

[5] Id.

[6] Id.

[7] Columbia Encyclopedia

[siunevada]

Before I begin I must make this disclosure. I am not a Catholic

Kinda figured. Cannon Law? 1. They are incredibly loud.

I believe that true Catholics are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would say the same for all true Christians.

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all...Most of us would agree with St. Paul on that principle. Maybe even really crappy Christians, too. The ones just barely hanging on by their fingernails?

The following is only an intellectual discussion

Great. I've probably got more questions than you do. And the encyclopedia entries look pretty accurate to me.

I was told that Vatican II did not alter the dogma of the Church. That statement comes into question by some quick research...
It would appear then if the above reference is correct that Vatican II did restate to some extent the dogma

The question then becomes 'What do they mean by restate?'(if it means the same thing as alter, I'm gonna be disappointed).

My understanding has always been, and maybe I can even find it in writing somewhere (probably an address by John XXIII or Paul VI), the intent of the council was to state the teaching of the Church in language the modern world could understand.

Much like one of my favorite lines that you quoted:following in the footsteps of the Council of Trent and of the First Vatican Council,(Nothing new here, folks. Following the footsteps.) this present council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.Gee, just by quoting that you probably know more about what Vatican II actually says than 90% of Catholics.

Now, did the council achieve what it set out to do? Maybe in a few generations we'll have a better idea on that. I read an article recently that said not every council is a success. They didn't always achieve their stated goals.

As to your interest in canon law, how it is derived and how it relates to councils; that's beyond me. But if run into anything that looks interesting along those lines, I'll try to remember you.

Canon law? Yeah, keep talking. I'm just resting my eyes.

[siunevada]

I knew this was around somewhere on the web. A paragraph from John XXIII's opening address at the council:

"The salient point of this council is not, therefore, a discussion of one article or another of the fundamental doctrine of the Church which has repeatedly been taught by the Fathers and by ancient and modern theologians, and which is presumed to be well known and familiar to all. For this a council was not necessary. But from the renewed, serene and tranquil adherence to all the teaching of the Church in its entirety and preciseness, as it still shines forth in the acts of the Council of Trent and First Vatican Council, the Christian, Catholic and apostolic spirit of the whole world expects a step forward toward a doctrinal penetration and a formation of consciences in faithful and perfect conformity to the authentic doctrine which, however, should be studied and expounded through the methods of research and through the literary forms of modern thought. The substance of the ancient doctrine of the Deposit of Faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions of a magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character."

[street_lawyer]

Renew our adherence to the entire and precise teachings of the former councils, in a new, serene and tranquil way. The entire Christian world expects us to step forward into a doctrine of conscience that is in conformity to authentic doctrine, by studying it through research, and expressing the doctrine in modern thought.

ie: Renew our adherence to the entire and precise teachings of the former councils, in a new, serene and tranquil way. The entire Christian world expects us to step forward into a doctrine of conscience that conforms to authentic doctrine, by studying it through research, and expressing the doctrine in modern thought.