Albany Diocese Removes 6 Priests from Ministry

The Times Union ^ | June 28, 2002

[NYer]

ALBANY -- Six priests from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany were permanently removed from the ministry on Thursday because they each had at least one confirmed incident of sexually abusing a child, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard announced today.

BENTLEY

BERTOLUCCI

MANCUSO

PRATT

ROSCH

NOTE: All file photos; none available for Edward Leroux.

Hubbard said in each case the abuse occurred more than 15 years ago. The move brings the Albany diocese into compliance with the nationwide policy adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on June 16, calling for the removal of any priest who had ever sexually abused a child, no matter when it happened or what the circumstances.

The priests removed included: the Rev. David G. Bentley, 60, who was already on inactive status; the Rev. John P. Bertolucci, 64, who has retired; the Rev. Edward Leroux, 72, retired and in residence at St. Mary's, Glens Falls; the Rev. Joseph A. Mancuso, 60, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Schenectady; the Rev. Edward C. Pratt, 58, pastor of Corpus Christi, Halfmoon; and the Rev. James J. Rosch, 55, pastor of St. Joseph's, Fort Edward.

``It is a considerable loss to the diocese and to many parishioners,'' the bishop said of his decision to remove the six priests permanently.

``I hope the loss will be outweighed by the restoration of trust,'' he observed, noting that ``the common good inclined me to vote for the resolution in Dallas.''

David Clohessy, executive director of the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests, a Chicago-based victim's advocacy group, applauded the Albany bishop's public announcement today.

``I am at least glad that Hubbard is naming names. Ultimately that will protect children, especially if these men decide to volunteer at a day care center or become a coach,'' Clohessy said.

``A handful of bishops have, we think in violation of the spirit of Dallas, removed these men quietly and refused to say who they are.''

At the conference in Dallas, Clohessy and Hubbard voiced opposing views on the question of zero-tolerance and the removal of all priests with even a single incident of sexual abuse, which Hubbard said violated the Christian principle of forgiveness.

``Removing these men has nothing to do with forgiveness,'' Clohessy said. ``Look at the behavior of the Pope, he went and visited in prison the man who tried to assassinate him, but he didn't unlock the door to let him out.''

[NYer]

Click on source to see the "black and white" photos.

[NYer]

It's a start.

The move brings the Albany diocese into compliance with the nationwide policy adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on June 16

Somehow, I don't feel this is the whole picture.

[crazykatz]

$

[Salvation]

We will see what happens now with these priests. Will they go before the Keating Review Board? Follow up story requested.

And a bump for Bishop Howard J. Hubbard!

[tiki]

I don't think so. I think this means that are no longer priests. They can no longer say Mass, even privately. They've been defrocked, big time.

FWIW, the first priest named was my priest. Believe it or not, he was a pretty good priest, not exactly lovable and it was obvious that he had some serious issues but he really did care about souls. I'm so torn about this because it is so easy to hate and despise people you don't know but a whole 'nother story when you do. I feel the need to write him a letter but I don't know what to say.

[Salvation]

Oh, tiki, thank you for sharing. This happened with a parish about ten miles away from where I live, and one of the people in my church had her children enrolled in their school. She was really torn too.

All I can say is "Hate the sin, but love the sinner."

God bless, Salvation

[daffyduct]

This breaks my heart. Fr. John Bertolucci has been a very inspired preacher. I have close to 100 of his teaching tapes. He used to host a nationwide Cable TV program and I have heard him speak and participated at Mass with him as celebrant. He truly has a love for the Eucharist. A number of years ago his TV program was abruptly removed, his speaking dates were cancelled and he went on sabatical for an extended period of time. This must have been the time when the abuse was discovered. This was also around the time he went head to head with Jimmy Swygart who was slamming the Catholic Church.

May God forgive John Bertolucci and comfort all those victims both directly and indirectly scandalized by his actions. He did such good work.

I have in my hand a prayer card. On the back in his handwriting it says: "Pray for me. Thank You +, Fr. John P. Bertolucci". Fr. John, I will continue to pray for you and continue praying the prayer on the other side:

Jesus, I love you.
I am sorry for my sins.
I thank you for dying on the cross for me personally.
I celebrate your resurrection this beautiful day by giving my life to you.
I invite you into my life,
Into my home, into my business,
Into my school, into my recreation
Into wherever I am

Come, Lord Jesus.
I truly accept you as my Lord
and my God and my personal Savior.
Come now and fill me with your Spirit
Fill me Lord Jesus with your Holy Spirit
Fill me Lord Jesus with your Love
and send me forth to my family and friends
to share with them
your love and your concern.

Jesus, I love you
and shall follow you
as your diciple
every day of my life.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Bentley

Bertolucci

Mancuso

Pratt

Rosch

[NYer]

May God forgive John Bertolucci and comfort all those victims both directly and indirectly scandalized by his actions. He did such good work. May our Lord also comfort those, like yourself, who knew him by his good works. The following was posted today on the http://www.spiritdaily.com/ web site:

It is with great concern and regret that we must report the naming in the Albany, N.Y. diocese for sexual abuse of a nationally known "charismatic" priest, John P. Bertolucci. Father Bertolucci was a key speaker at charismatic conferences, taught at a major Catholic university, and appeared frequently on television and in videos. We find this scandal horrible to report, and apologize for any explicit details in secular news links, although we are also endeavoring to portray the truth with an attitude of charity. A major priest in the Medjugorje movement has also been implicated in another diocese. The Albany diocese has yet to decide if the priests it has named in Albany will be totally removed from the diocese or assigned to a monastery, but Bishop Hubbard said none of the priests will ever celebrate Mass again. The diocese said the accusations against these priests involved incidents that took place 15 to 35 years ago. We implore your prayers for all these men -- and especially the reputation of our Church and most of all for the victims.

[see news story][

[Siobhan]

News of Father Bertolucci being involved in this has been like an earthquake in my soul. May God have miraculous mercy on his victims, and may he enter the life of a penitent with grace from God and someday find peace through Christ.

[Salvation]

Father Bertolucci was a key speaker at charismatic conferences, taught at a major Catholic university, and appeared frequently on television and in videos.

I have heard him, too. In Portland, OR at a charismatic rally. Good speaker as I remember. I may even still have the tapes.

[saradippity]

I am sorry that another priest,who apparently accepted and taught Truth has fallen. This situation is so tragic.

Nonetheless,it is happening and certain transgressions must incur consequences that are applied without consideration of the appeal,the position or the competence of the transgressor.That said,maybe it is time to look at the incredible loss to the Catholic Church when the same punnishment is meted to all irrespective of the offense,the number and occasions of sin,the year in which the offence was committed,the political,psychiatric,social environment at the time,the penitence of the priest,the orthodoxy of the priest and numerous other factors that influence behaviors.

I believe that the bishops must go forward and carry out the policy they agreed on, but it seems to me there should be some way to utilize the defrocked priests knowledge and training for the good of the Church.They should never be permitted to administer the sacraments or wear the Roman collar.But it seems to me that if they wore a big scarlet letter on their chest,they might be the very best teachers or writers or researchers or even spiritual counsellors or financial administrators and a living reminder to all that,there are consequences to sin.

I just believe that for good to come of this scandal "we can't cut off our nose to spite our face".I am not promoting my idea,I am just trying to plant a seed because there is going to be a fallout and we must make it one that will please God and benefit mankind.Any thoughts?

[maryz]

Believe it or not, he was a pretty good priest, not exactly lovable and it was obvious that he had some serious issues but he really did care about souls.

There aren't too many people who are all good or all bad (all we have to do to know this is to look into ourselves). Usually, though, we see something of both sides from the beginning of our acquaintance. It must be a great shock to have it sprung on you from nowhere.

[maryz]

Good speaker as I remember. I may even still have the tapes.

What are the relevant years on Bertolucci? It may be that he thoroughly repented long since and hasn't fallen in that way again. But if molestation of the young isn't the worst sin (no, I'm not taking nominations), it is surely among the most repugnant!

Would that this had been a nice, clean, innocent embezzlement scandal!

[tiki]

Actually, the ironic part is that though I liked and respected this priest, I always kept a reserve. I only said it to my husband but I did say that he would never be allowed to be alone with my grandson. It was one of those sort of facetious utterances that actually come from a deep instinct, I think. And you're right about his masculinity, I think in the rest of the world he would have been considered masculine but for western standards, he was a bit of a wuss and most of the people around here chalked it up to a big city upbringing and being a priest or blamed themselves for their own bias.

[franciscan]

This priest is an aquaintance of mine. Although it may be hard to believe that he did what he did, it only serves to remind me personally that all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. None of us is immune to committing reprehensible deeds, no matter how much we may want to believe that, given the right circumstances, our actions would be different.

In my consideration of the facts, I know that I would not want my children, or anyone elses to be victimized by anyone, especially a priest whom they trust. The interesting thing is that no one ever mentions the tremendous pressures that our priests are under in a society which values sexual expression above many of the other forms of expression of which human beings are capable.

While I certainly agree that these men should have stayed faithful, I must wonder, and beg that God's mercy be upon me for even the smallest role I may have played as an accessory to their sin, even perhaps by my unthinking example in what may have seemed to me to be a very small and unrelated thing. If one really considers this matter, it is a known fact that even an unguarded word can begin a train of thoughts. A harmless spark can cause a forest fire. Perhaps I could even have been a better personal support to such priests that I have known who later fell from grace in some way? What about you?

Let the one without sin cast the first stone.

[sinkspur]

Perhaps I could even have been a better personal support to such priests that I have known who later fell from grace in some way? What about you?

Sorry. I ain't playin' that game.

An adult man who abuses teenage boys is a pederast. You can't "support" a pederast and expect him to get "better."

And, it's not a matter of grace. It's a matter of a sickness, from which this priest will never be delivered.

While I certainly agree that these men should have stayed faithful, I must wonder, and beg that God's mercy be upon me for even the smallest role I may have played as an accessory to their sin, even perhaps by my unthinking example in what may have seemed to me to be a very small and unrelated thing.

What "thing"? Did you touch the priest on the shoulder, interpreted by his sick mind as some kind of "come on"?

None of us is immune to committing reprehensible deeds, no matter how much we may want to believe that, given the right circumstances, our actions would be different.

Well, I don't know what you consider "reprehensible," but I did hit a squirrel once.

I don't know ANYBODY who's molested a child. ANYBODY!

Are you trying to spread the blame for pederast priests to the rest of us Catholics?

If you are, forget it. I've gone out of my way to accommodate these men, and most have repaid in kind. In fact, priests are wonderful.

Pederasts are not, whether they're priests, or teachers, or boy scout leaders.

[narses]

"I don't know ANYBODY who's molested a child. ANYBODY!"

What seminary did you claim to attend? How many priests do you know, if you really are a Deacon? Can you really make the claim you made above?