BREAKING: Church uncovers [NEW!!!] file on Shanley NAMBLA activity

Boston Herald ^ | 4-25-2002 | Maggie Mulvihill and Robin Washington

[Notwithstanding]

Church uncovers file on Shanley NAMBLA activity

by Maggie Mulvihill and Robin Washington
Thursday, April 25, 2002

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In the latest example of the Boston archdiocese's chaotic record-keeping on problem priests, church officials acknowledged yesterday their discovery of new records detailing allegations of the Rev. Paul R. Shanley's involvement in NAMBLA - the North American Man-Boy Love Association.<!ENDSUMM!>

The documents, part of a larger group a judge earlier this month ordered turned over to Roderick MacLeish, a lawyer representing several alleged victims of Shanley, were located late last week by an unnamed archdiocesean staff member, the Rev. Christopher Coyne, said an archdiocesan spokesman.

``It's terribly embarrassing at this late date to come out and say this,'' Coyne said in addressing reporters on the lawn of the Brighton Chancery.

``No one knew that the files were around,'' Coyne said. ``It wasn't just one letter that was overlooked. It's another bad thing. It makes us look like we are not being honest. It's just awful.''

The Shanley file released to date - more than 800 pages of secret records - detailed the priest's long history of alleged sexual misconduct, and, on some pages, his admissions of the actions.

But more damning were numerous documents revealing that Bernard Cardinal Law, his predecessor, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros, and other archdiocesean officials were aware of Shanley's behavior as far back as 1967, but continued to assign him to posts that put him in direct contact with children.

Coyne appeared visibly angry as he revealed the discovery of the documents, saying there is no question now that there had been numerous written complaints made in past years to chancery officials about Shanley's behavior.

MacLeish, who will receive the papers today, said he was furious with the discovery.

``If they're NAMBLA materials, as they say they are, then it's absolutely appalling. I can't believe it,'' he said, adding that he intends to investigate how the documents were missed.

``We are taking the deposition of (the church officials) involved in this document retrieval. The truth will have to come out,'' he said.

In the initial document release three weeks ago, records showed that Shanley spoke in favor of sex between men and boys at a December 1978 Boston convention that led to the founding of the intergenerational sex advocacy organization.

But a Shanley supporter who organized the meeting and later co-founded NAMBLA insists that it has been mischaracterized, and that many different points of view on the subject were presented.

``It certainly was not some kind of a man-boy group,'' said the man, who goes by the pseudonym of Socrates.

``There were social workers, psychiatrists, ministers and even law enforcement personnel. At that time, these issues could be discussed in an objective forum. You can't do that now.''

More germane to the accusations of MacLeish's clients is Socrates' contention that it would have been totally out of character for Shanley to have had violent sex with a 6-year-old.

In his suit and in a criminal complaint to Newton police, Gregory Ford, 24, claims that Shanley yanked him out of CCD classes and repeatedly fondled and raped him as a child in the rectory of Newton's St. Jean's Parish for six years beginning in 1984. ``I don't believe it, based on what I know of him,'' Socrates said, insisting that the priest would never have had sex with a pre-pubescent boy. ``I don't believe he ever did anything by force.''

MacLeish vehemently disputed that, saying, ``They say he wasn't violent. That's absolute total nonsense.''

``I have a forcible rape case against Paul Shanley from 1990 involving a 13-year-old. This notion that you're either interested in pedophilia or ephebophilia (sex with teens) is absolute nonsense,'' MacLeish charged.

MacLeish also said Ford and a second alleged victim, Paul Busa, who attended the classes with Ford but hasn't seen him in years, could not have collaborated to fabricate their allegations.

``NAMBLA has as much credibility on this as Ken Lay does on suggestions to reform Enron,'' MacLeish said.

[Diamond]

"...the founding of the intergenerational sex advocacy organization "

How's THAT for a euphemism for NAMBLA! Sounds so nice, doesn't it?

The Boston Herald isn't even good for toilet paper.

Cordially,

[Cu Roi]

Cardinal Law might be a lot of things, but I do not believe he is a homosexual. Of course, this whole thing is so evil and unbelievable and grotesque and deep rooted, I don't know what I think anymore!

I was thinking similar thoughts when I posted #31. One thing I believe the Vatican should have addressed this week is the issue of blackmail. It is only natural for a man to want to have a woman, and celibacy is obviously a huge burden for any normal man.

Any priest who has been involved in adult heterosexual relationships should be told that this is their opportunity to come forward without reprecussions. Everybody steps out of line sometimes, and now if the time to separate the wheat from the chaff. I know parishoners will be understanding; I think many would sleep better at night knowing that the man is straight.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Sick. The only good that comes out of this is that NAMBLA gets posed as the ~opposite~ of many people's idea of "good": a celibate reverend.

[yikes]

Let Bubba teach him a lesson or two about sodomy.

This is not meant as a cruel joke, but how do we know that Law has no knowledge of sodomy? He holds desperately to the reins of power. Makes me wonder why. Is it inconceivable that a U.S. cardinal would be guilty of of crimes against yourngsters? No, of course not.

[SkyPilot]

What's wrong with our culture when shame is so alien that no one resigns in disgrace, ever? Do you know what I thought of when you typed this?

In the aftermath of the debacle at Waco, Tx--Janet Reno stood before the cameras, before Congress, before the American people and said:

"I accept responsibility! I was in charge."

People at the time were saying: "Finally someone takes responsibility!"

But you know what? It meant NOTHING. No resignation, nothing. In fact--she was LAUDED by the media. She appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek. She was given hero status.

People want the benefits of "stepping up to the plate." But no one ever resigns or accepts punishment anymore......for anything.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Now we can be sure that NAMBLA is evil, when Slate derides priests' condemnation of homosexuality: Get It Straight -- The hypocrisy of blaming gays for sexual abuse by priests.

[Semper Paratus]

The 2 scumbags that murdered and raped a 10 yer old in Cambridge were NAMBLA acolytes.
They're serving life in Walpole and the inside story is it's very hard time.

[dighton]

What's wrong with our culture when shame is so alien that no one resigns in disgrace, ever?

Excellent question.

[smith288]

In Jesus eyes, no sin is worse than another... it is human nature to sin and it is expected by God. The only way to gain forgiveness by God is to truely repent your wrongs and to work at resolving you wrongs... you cant simply say it...you must have a heartfelt repentance... You must be honest...

Without God, there is no relativity to what is good and what isnt.

So your moral guidelines are actually directed by God.... But damn him for allowing forgiveness for those YOU seem to deem a worse sin than what you have done.

[SkyPilot]

I take that back.

Rep Livingston resigned as House Speaker and took responsibility.

Most people these days do not.

Next comes "What about benefits for my Life Partner?"

Disgusting.

[VaBthang4]

A. The Catholic Church needs to have a "pedophile Faggot" Czar in charge of hunting down and destroying these sickos.

"In the initial document release three weeks ago, records showed that Shanley spoke in favor of sex between men and boys at a December 1978 Boston convention that led to the founding of the intergenerational sex advocacy organization. But a Shanley supporter who organized the meeting and later co-founded NAMBLA insists that it has been mischaracterized, and that many different points of view on the subject were presented."

What the...?!

There is absolutely no excuse for Shanley even being there much less speaking on it. Am I the only one seeing this?

"More germane to the accusations of MacLeish's clients is Socrates' contention that it would have been totally out of character for Shanley to have had violent sex with a 6-year-old."

Huh?

You believe it was in his character to have gentle sex with a small boy?

Idiot.

"I don't believe it, based on what I know of him, I don't believe he ever did anything by force."

Simply an amazing statement. Apparently this Kid must've wanted it right?

Bottom line...

If one of these faggot priests ever laid a hand on my kid, the concern over a cover-up or civil proceedings would be a non-issue...

In front of God and Country I would without hesitation fill him up with .50 Desert Eagle rounds and let the rest of our pussyfied society worry about the pros & cons.

[BlackElk]

Fr. McBrien wrote Mario Cuomo's speech for delivery at once Catholic Notre Dame University on how Mario could be a Catholic politician enabling and supporting abortion. McBrien is incardinated in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, and last served in a parish in about 1962 at Our Lady of Victory parish in West Haven, Connecticut. If he is still incardinated in Hartford, his rebellious mouth can be shut by Archbishop Daniel Cronin (who came to Hartford from Fall River, Massachusetts and is yet another member of the Boston ecclesiastical club who spends half his life at his cottage on Cape Cod). Don't hold your collective breath waiting. Cronin's basic M.O. is to sell off Catholic High Schools and spend the money on ?????

[smith288]

how does he burn in hell if there is no God? Im confused by your statement

[zarf]

Did I say there was no god?

[mc5cents]

What's wrong with our culture when shame is so alien that no one resigns in disgrace, ever?

You might find the answer here.

[smith288]

So you acknowledge God, but dont agree with him so you will go have a tantrem and meditate with some Hare Krishnas?

[helmsman]

Wow...It's been a while since I've laughed that hard...

[zarf]

So if "baby rapist" priest "truly repents in the eyes of Jesus" you would forgive him as well?

Remind me not to leave my kids with you.

[Diamond]

If Jesus can forgive a piece of trash for raping a 13 year old child, then I want no part of him.

Then you will have no part of him, though he paid the awful price for your wickedness and rebellion against God, too. With his own death. May it not be so, but if you continue to reject his free offer of grace to you, you have no part of him and will end up in the punishment of hell yourself.

Besides, since you have no part in him, there is no way that you can say anything with absolute certainty about repentence, or hell, or what constitutes a moral life in God's sight, or about anything else about God either, for that matter. In the final analysis, the only basis you have to believe what you do about any of these things is that you have a prior committment to yourself as independent from God, and as the final arbiter of truth in all things apart from God.

Cordially,

[petkus]

This is Massachusetts, the home of Teddy Kennedy, Law is Kennedy's Protege. What else is under the covers in the Diocese of Boston.