Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

ABC 7 Exclusive: Pornography Found in Arlington Churches
ABC 7 Exclusive ^ | September 09, 2002 | Reporter: Greta Kreuz

Posted on 09/11/2002 8:08:58 AM PDT by narses

ONLY ON 7 TONIGHT, SHOCKING NEW ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRIESTS IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON.

AN UNSEALED COURT DOCUMENT REVEALS CONFISCATED PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL, IN THE RECTORIES OF MORE THAN ONE CHURCH.

ABC SEVEN NEWS REPORTER GRETA KREUZ HAS DETAILS.

Story:

A SCATHING SIDEBAR HAS EMERGED FROM THE RECENT DISMISSAL OF A 5-MILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ARLINGTON DIOCESE -- A SUIT BROUGHT BY A MAN WHOSE PASTOR HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HIS WIFE.

A DEPOSITION TAKEN IN THAT CASE OF FATHER JAMES HALEY REVEALS EXPLOSIVE ALLEGATIONS, NOT ONLY OF WIDESPREAD SEXUAL ACTIVITY AMONG GAY PRIESTS, BUT ALSO OF EXTENSIVE PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS AT LEAST TWO LOCAL PASTORS ALLEGEDLY KEPT IN THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. ONE INCLUDED GAY MAGAZINES, VIDEOS AND SEX TOYS.

FATHER HALEY TESTIFIED HE WAS SHOCKED, AND WENT TO BISHOP PAUL LOVERDE IN JUNE OF 2001 WITH SOME OF THE PHOTOS, EXPECTING ACTION.

"SO I GAVE HIM THE KEY TO THE RECTORY AND TOLD HIM TO SEE FOR HIMSELF," HALEY SAYS, "AND HE REFUSED."

HALEY WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER PARISH, WHERE HE SAYS IT WAS JUST AS BAD. THIS TIME, HE SAYS, THE PASTOR HOARDED COLLECTIONS OF SADOMASOCHISM, SEXUAL TORTURE, PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING SHE-MALES, MATERIALS SOMETIMES MAILED TO THE RECTORY ITSELF. AGAIN, HE SAYS HE APPEALED TO THE BISHOP, AND THIS TIME "THE BISHOP TOLD ME THAT I HAD BETTER WATCH OUT, THAT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WAS CAPABLE OF DOING."

GREG MURPHY, FATHER HALEY'S ATTORNEY: "To our knowledge, he's never done anything. The only he did was punish Father Haley for coming forward with the information."

THE BISHOP WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT TODAY, BUT SPOKESWOMAN LINDA SHOVLAIN RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, "THE DIOCESE WILL INVESTIGATE ANY SUCH ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT BY PRIESTS THAT COME TO ITS ATTENTION. BISHOP LOVERDE EXPECTS ALL PRIESTS TO LIVE THEIR PRIESTLY COMMITMENTS."

Greta Kreuz on set:

FATHER HALEY, BY THE BISHOP'S DECREE, HAS BEEN STRIPPED OF HIS FACULTIES -- NOT ALLOWED TO CELEBRATE MASS OR THE SACRAMENTS IN PUBLIC. HE AND HIS ATTORNEY SAY THEY PLAN TO PRESENT THEIR EVIDENCE TO BISHOP GREGORY, HEAD OF THE U.S. BISHOPS' CONFERENCE, IN HOPES OF GETTING SOMETHING DONE TO STOP WHAT THEY SAY ARE IMMORAL AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES."

Anchor:

GRETA, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE PRIESTS IN QUESTION?

Kreuz:

WE'RE STILL TRYING TO GET THOSE ANSWERS FROM THE DIOCESE. ONE PASTOR WAS REMOVED, ACTUALLY FOR EMBEZZLING PARISH FUNDS ... WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE HE IS ... AND THE OTHER WE HEARD JUST RESIGNED LAST WEEK. BUT FATHER HALEY'S DEPOSITION SUGGESTS THIS IS PART OF A LARGER SORDID PROBLEM THE DIOCESE HAS TURNED A DEAF EAR TO.


TOPICS: General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; ling
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 next last
To: narses
Uh, may I buy you a new keyboard?

Your CapsLock key seems to be broke.

21 posted on 09/11/2002 7:22:04 PM PDT by don-o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity
"Makes you wonder, is someone putting something in their water or food to make them brain-dead? How many more hundreds of millions in damages to gut the church do these guys think is reasonable before common sense returns?"

I don't know what to tell you. Except for the defamation suits (sorry, Patent) all's quiet out here right now. One case was dismissed earlier this week as the statute of limitations ran out.

It's been an amazingly long day. Good night.
22 posted on 09/11/2002 8:14:42 PM PDT by Desdemona
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: narses
A deposition taken in that case of Fr. James Haley reveals explosive allegations ... of extensive pornographic materials at least two local pastors allegedly kept in their living quarters. One included gay magazines, videos and sex toys.....

Haley was then transferred to another parish, where he says it was just as bad. This time, he says, the pastor hoarded collections of sadomasochism, sexual torture, pornography involving she-males, materials sometimes mailed to the rectory itself.

Perhaps these were just resource materials for "inculturating" the liturgy.

23 posted on 09/11/2002 10:03:32 PM PDT by Dajjal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: narses
Fr. Haley testified he saw shocked, and went to Bishop Paul Loverde in June of 2001 with some of the photos, expecting action.

"So I gave him the key to the rectory and told him to see for himself," Haley says, "and he refused."

... Again, he says he appealed to the bishop, and this time "the bishop told me that I had better watch out, that I did not know what he was capable of doing."

Greg Murphy, Fr. Haley's attorney: "To our knowledge, he's never done anything. The only thing he did was punish Father Haley for coming forward with the information."

Sounds like that phrase "Lavender Mafia" is not an exaggeration.

24 posted on 09/11/2002 10:13:47 PM PDT by Dajjal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: narses
He and his attorney say they plan to present their evidence to Bishop Gregory, head of the U.S. Bishops' Conference, in hopes of getting something done to stop what they say are immoral and illegal activities.

I hope they do not have their hopes up too high.

But Fr. Haley's deposition suggests this is part of a larger sordid problem the diocese has turned a deaf ear to.

A sordid problem much larger than his diocese. A national and international network of perverted priests, protected by the bishops.

25 posted on 09/11/2002 10:23:16 PM PDT by Dajjal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heyheyhey
"sinful things ... but where is the illegal part?" I was wondering the same thing. Hypocracy, as you say. I note that the same media who carry this story are supportive of explicit sex "education" materials in schools, and ridicule those who oppose it.
26 posted on 09/12/2002 1:31:39 AM PDT by BlackVeil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Palladin
Looks like a woman, packing a pistol......Usually a Pre operative Transsexual.
27 posted on 09/12/2002 4:53:10 AM PDT by hobbes1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: BlackVeil; heyheyhey
"These are all sinful things reported by ABC 7 Exclusive, but where is the illegal part?"

"'sinful things ... but where is the illegal part?' I was wondering the same thing."

Anchor: Greta, what has happened to the priests in question?

Kreuz: We're still trying to get those answers from the diocese. One pastor was removed, actually for embezzling parish funds. We're not sure where he is. And the other we heard just resigned last week.

28 posted on 09/12/2002 4:35:37 PM PDT by Dajjal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Dajjal
One pastor was removed, actually for embezzling parish funds.

The article is NOT about that "one pastor" and not about "embezzling funds."

It is about "Pornography Found in Arlington Churches,"
5-MILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT,
SEXUAL ACTIVITY AMONG GAY PRIESTS,
GAY MAGAZINES,
VIDEOS AND SEX TOYS,
COLLECTIONS OF SADOMASOCHISM,
SEXUAL TORTURE,
PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING SHE-MALES,
PRIESTS NOT LIVING THEIR PRIESTLY COMMITMENTS.

So, my question is this,
These are all sinful things reported by ABC 7 Exclusive, but where is the illegal part? What business have the ABC News in reporting it when they themselves support sexual perversions?

It is a maliciously hypocritical ABC News report.

29 posted on 09/12/2002 5:22:37 PM PDT by heyheyhey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: narses
Shocked, but not surprised.
30 posted on 09/12/2002 7:26:04 PM PDT by Commander8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dajjal; heyheyhey; narses
You said it for me again, Hey. The article is about pornography. Of course, when any pastor warns about the distribution of this stuff, the media is down on him for being "repressive." Christians are especially traduced in these circumstances, at least a Jewish or Muslim leader has some sort of "minorities" flavour.

Someone being dismissed for misappropriating money, unfortunately, that is not news at all. It is only worthy of the local paper, it happens in all sorts of institutions all the time.
31 posted on 09/13/2002 2:16:56 AM PDT by BlackVeil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Steve0113
ping.

Everyone else:
Fr. Haley was at our parish & left very suddenly last fall, around the time the war in Afghanistan started. We were bitterly sorry to lose him. I would take his word over that of almost anyone else. He said Mass so reverently - his voice trembled with emotion during the Consecration. This is devastating. Please pray for all our priests.

nina0113, steve's wife
32 posted on 09/13/2002 4:34:45 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: narses
So, everywhere Fr. Haley goes, he finds a secret stash of pornographic material. When he reports it to his bishop, instead of the bishop investigating it, he instead punishes the Fr. Haley. This sounds like a hit job on the church, that came out of the national enquirer. I think you do a grave disservice to the church, by posting smutty gossip tales like this.
33 posted on 09/13/2002 5:16:30 AM PDT by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: don-o
Easier on the eyes:

Only on 7 tonight, shocking new allegations against priests in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

An unsealed court document reveals confiscated pornographic material, in the rectories of more than one church.

ABC Seven news reporter Greta Kreuz has details.

Story:

A scathing sidebar has emerged from the recent dismissal of a 5-million-dollar lawsuit against the Arlington Diocese -- a suit brought by a man whose pastor had an affair with his wife.

A deposition taken in that case of Father James Haley reveals explosive allegations, not only of widespread sexual activity among gay priests, but also of extensive pornographic materials at least two local pastors allegedly kept in their living quarters. One included gay magazines, videos and sex toys.

Father Haley testified he was shocked, and went to Bishop Paul Loverde in June of 2001 with some of the photos, expecting action.

"So I gave him the key to the rectory and told him to see for himself," Haley says, "and he refused."

Haley was then transferred to another parish, where he says it was just as bad. This time, he says, the pastor hoarded collections of sadomasochism, sexual torture, pornography involving she-males, materials sometimes mailed to the rectory itself. Again, he says he appealed to the bishop, and this time "the bishop told me that I had better watch out, that I did not know what he was capable of doing."

Greg Murphy, Father Haley's attorney: "To our knowledge, he's never done anything. The only [thing] he did was punish Father Haley for coming forward with the information."

The bishop was unavailable for comment today, but spokeswoman Linda Shovlain released a statement saying, "The diocese will investigate any such allegations of misconduct by priests that come to its attention. Bishop Loverde expects all priests to live their priestly commitments."

Greta Kreuz on set:

Father Haley, by the bishop's decree, has been stripped of his faculties -- not allowed to celebrate mass or the sacraments in public. He and his attorney say they plan to present their evidence to Bishop Gregory, head of the U.S. Bishops' Conference, in hopes of getting something done to stop what they say are immoral and illegal activities."

Anchor:

Greta, what has happened to the priests in question?

Kreuz:

We're still trying to get those answers from the diocese. One pastor was removed, actually for embezzling parish funds ... We're not sure where he is ... And the other we heard just resigned last week. But Father Haley's deposition suggests this is part of a larger sordid problem the diocese has turned a deaf ear to.

34 posted on 09/13/2002 6:02:23 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: narses; All
Here is a link to a Washington Post story about it, containing more information.
35 posted on 09/13/2002 6:59:50 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: St.Chuck
This sounds like a hit job on the church, that came out of the national enquirer.

See post #35. It's real.

36 posted on 09/13/2002 7:20:58 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Steve0113
Thank you very much. At least the Post gave some indication as to what the bishops side of the story was. The ABC story left one with the impression that the bishop was part of the porno ring. The bishop did act on Haley's information.
37 posted on 09/13/2002 7:49:38 AM PDT by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: St.Chuck
The bishop did act on Haley's information.

Yes he did, in regard to the embezzlement and adultery, but not with the porn collections. The bishop doesn't seem to object to a pastor collecting queer porn. He also explicitly told Fr. Haley that he saw nothing wrong with homosexuality in a priest.

38 posted on 09/13/2002 8:56:48 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Steve0113
Actually if you look at the timetable of when Fr. Haley came to & left St. Mary's, we were the second parish - Fr. Hamilton seems to be the one with the S&M porno. I checked with one of our legal assistants - since the deposition is not under seal (which is why it's being quoted in the press), we can get a copy from the Arlington Courthouse. Next day off I take, I'll do that. Much as I think I'm going to dislike the whole truth, I want to know it.
39 posted on 09/13/2002 9:34:12 AM PDT by nina0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: nina0113
Okay. One more thing that doesn't make sense to me is the nature of the deposition. A man sued the diocese because it didn't stop a pastor from alienating his wife's affection, shall we say. Given that, why was Fr. Haley testifying about queer porn in the diocese? How was it relevant to the lawsuit?
40 posted on 09/13/2002 10:12:15 AM PDT by Steve0113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson