After reading a posted comment last week, I remarked that I hoped readers would not be too hard on my brother priests because of what I and others have written. It was then suggested to me that I write a post placing myself in their shoes under the yoke of scandal in the last seven years. Easier said than done.
The fact is, the atmosphere of accusation and settlement has placed all priests under a terribly confining weight from which many feel powerless to emerge. The enemies of the Church have scapegoated priests, pointing fingers of suspicion at them just for being priests.
Many among the laity don’t know what to do to be supportive. Some parishioners have gossiped about priests, reinterpreting their demeanor and relationships in the harsh light of relentless bad press. Many priests feel that the support of their bishops is for fair weather only. On this last point, the late Father Richard John Neuhaus wrote with dismal foreboding:
“Attempting to ward off outside threats, bishops have self-servingly tried to demonstrate their “’transparency’ by publicly revealing the names of elderly and deceased priests against whom there was a rumor or allegation of misconduct from twenty, thirty, or even fifty years ago. In some cases, the allegations were investigated, in others not, and in almost all cases they are now beyond fair investigation. Their once honored reputations now destroyed, such priests are deemed guilty until proven innocent.” (“Clerical Scandal and the Scandal of Clericalism,” First Things, March 2008, p.58).
Too many priests have been subjected to the risk aversion employed at the first sign of an ancient accusation. I imagine that many thus far untouched by The Scandal have nonetheless felt it close in upon them as they see their friends accused and ostracized. Many are afraid to be alone with a child or a teenager, even in the confessional.
The story of Father Anthony Tran Van Kiem posted here on These Stone Walls presents a gripping example of the terror from which few accused priests can emerge with their names and dignity and priesthood intact.
ABUSE OF THE ABUSE SCANDAL
Of course, we must never lose sight of the fact that there were true – and truly devastating – accounts of abuse perpetrated by some priests. As the John Jay report commissioned by the U.S. Bishops revealed, these cases reached a peak in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Some guilty priests were accused, removed and reassigned back then. The bishops have been repeatedly bludgeoned for not acting in 1975 as they would in 2005.
Still, no amount of recompense can fully atone for the harm that was done to legitimate victims of abuse. Many of the men around me in this prison were victims of sexual and physical abuse as children and adolescents. For most, that abuse took place in their own homes. In prison, I see daily the legacy left by child abuse.
But what is going on today is a different picture. Seventy percent of the claims settled by Church officials surfaced decades after the alleged abuse. The removal of priests in such instances – and they are the majority of the claims – places upon them the impossible task of proving their innocence when no one has to prove their guilt.
Many bishops and brother priests have been in denial about how easy it is to be accused. As one astute prisoner said to me at the height of The Scandal in 2002:
“Let me get this straight. If I say some priest touched me funny twenty years ago, I’ll be a victim, I’ll be paid for it, and my life will be HIS fault instead of mine. Do you have any idea of how tempting this is?” (“Sex Abuse and Signs of Fraud,” Catalyst, November 2005).
I cannot pretend that I am not angry about the distance and risk aversion practiced by many of my brother priests in my regard. Over time, however, that anger has dissolved into sadness, not only about them, but about the climate of fear and dismay created by The Scandal and kept in motion by people with axes to grind.
As more than one reader commented here on These Stone Walls, “Satan has targeted the priesthood.”
As I wrote in “Due Process for Accused Priests,” up to 40% of the population in this prison is convicted of sexual abuse. With but rare exceptions, only Catholic priests face accusations that are 20 to 40 years old.
A sexual abuse conviction is no novelty here. Of 2,900 prisoners here, over 1,000 are on the waiting list for the prison’s sex offender treatment program. The vilification of the priesthood by so-called Catholic “reform” groups has not extended to those exponentially greater numbers of abusers who have victimized young people in the here and now.
Is this vilification really about protecting children?
As I was led into prison fifteen years ago, it was not “Kill the Molester!” that the prisoners were chanting. It was “Kill the Priest!”
Click here for Part 2
Editor’s Note: Several of you have expressed a desire to join Fr. MacRae in a Spiritual Communion. He celebrates a private Mass in his prison cell on Sunday evenings between 11 pm and midnight. You’re invited to join in a Holy Hour during that time if you’re able.
Subscribe to Fr. Gordon MacRae’s Posts
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have just read Fr Anthony’s article.
I can endorse what he says about the TOTAL secrecy when priests are accused. There is a ‘Star Chamber’ court who decides behind closed doors the whole case against a priest.
He is not allowed to face his accuser. He is not allowed to respond or defend himself.
He is allowed to make a statement without having any knowledge of proceedings or of what he has been accused. He can, if he can afford it, have a church lawyer.
I want to know why, if and it is a big if, there has been a criminal act why was it not taken to the appropriate civil authorities?
Can it be that the church feels itself to be above the law of the land?
Can it be that the church takes no notice of civil safeguards as enshrined in the US Constitution such as limitations of time on accusations?
Can it be that we have reverted to the ugly days of The Star Chamber – or perhaps we really didn’t stop trying people in secret and punishing them without due process under the law of the land, but rather made up our own little court system whereby innocent men are racked until they plead guilty.
*Star Chamber — see Wikipedia for the whole article –” Court sessions were held in secret, with no indictments, no right of appeal, no juries, and no witnesses. Evidence was presented in writing. Over time it evolved into a political weapon and became a symbol of the misuse and abuse of power —”
Further to Father Anthony’s statement that he is glad he has survived the incident – praise God -but I know of one priest who has had strokes, heart attacks and is now in a care facility, a totally broken man – and he hadn’t committed any crime.
My love and care in Christ, to all priest victims of this calumny.
From Elizabeth
As Catholics we are taught never to lie but always “tell the truth.” In today’s world, however, it is also important to teach our children never to talk to a detective, prosecutor, insurance company, the press, etc. WITHOUT A LAWYER.
The truth can easily be manipulated and exploited by all those sharks swimming out there.
Also, excessive fines and judgments imposed by irresponsible juries fall under the prohibition of “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Hello Father. I was going through my computer and came across a letter I never sent you after I’d read an article by Dorothy Rabinowitz in the WSJ several years ago. I was overtaken by a huge need to see what had entailed.
Please do not think that your incarceration is without purpose. I’m a practicing Catholic who sees as you do the shift we are having to undermine the Catholic faith, since it is the one faith that Communism abhors and fears.
Right now things OUTSIDE of prison are beginning to take on signs of incarceration and paranoia for us as well. Yet through it all, ‘remember we are to serve’ is the response to keep ourselves from succumbing to the anger, anxiety and temptation to spiral into despair. Despair is not an option and your injustice IS affecting people and causing many to rethink the shallowness of their faith.
You are most dear to God’s heart and you are courageous in your journey.
As for the claustrophobia, I will pray so very hard that grace can lift that oppression from you. And lastly, if John the Baptist could say, from prison, to be of good cheer, then I guess I’m not blasphemous to remind you that humor IS so key, and may grace grant that to you as well.
God bless you and thank you, Father.
Jeannie Ash
I know of many priest who have been accused unjustly – some, as you mention, long after their deaths.
Please know that you are in my prayers.
Our parish supports a number of these priests by prayer and practical means and we see the suffering of those who live with these false allegations.
It is a great sorrow that so many in jobs of resposibility should have played judas.
On a more cheerful note – our priest says he is often stopped by people who just want to say “thank you for being a priest”. The laity know the truth of all this and they know their priests who have been loyal servants even though evil men have accused them falsly. Matthew 5-11.
I hope you are allowed a Bible and an office book ?
Many blessings and prayers from ‘Me’ in Texas
Father, I hope that you continue to rely on the Lord and his mercy and love during your stay in prison. God Bless
It struck me the other day how sin deprives us all of freedom this is particularly true in the abuse situation:innocent victims lost the freedom of childhood innocence too soon; falsely accused priests have lost reputation and in some cases their liberty; adults are wary of showing pure affection in case it is interpreted as “grooming” behaviour
The polluting darkness of sin has darkened our landscape.In these darkened times I try to focus on Pentecost and how the Apostles were feeling frightened and overwhelmed because they thought Christ was dead and buried.
Then the Holy Spirit entered the room and they were filled with courage and given all the necessary gifts to survive and thrive amidst the corrupt and brutal Roman Empire. That Holy Spirit remains with us today and it can be seen shining in the extraordinary courage and fidelity of people like yourself Father. Even if there are times when I might not be able to comment because of my carer duties you shall always remain in my daily prayers especially in this Year of the Priest. God bless you now and always
Father. Our Lady brought me to your site I am sure. I started to pray the Rosary daily this year and immediately felt led to pray for Priests.
I wonder if you can sense her presence in your cell? I offer your intentions daily in my Rosary. Please listen out for your heavenly Mother, she is waiting for you, her Priest.
She is aware of your deep inner need for emotional comfort. Draw from her immaculate heart as you need to. It has been pierced with sorrow more than any other human heart, apart from Our Lord’s. She is waiting for you Father, I truly believe this. God bless you Father, you are not forgotten, always keep that fact in mind.
I think there are so many that are the “losers” here… the priests accused falsely, the priests held under “the gun” as it were because simply, they are a priest and at one time, just wait for it, they must have abused someone…
the real victims of abuse by priests and the victims of the sin of greed- falsely accusing because there is easy money. And we suffer, too, the parishioners, the laity- the ones who pray and feel frustrated and helpless to help, really- and the bishops who betray their filial love for their fellow priests, passing judgment without fair trial- what will be the consequences of this, both for themselves now and in the hereafter?
It is an evil come upon us, for sure.
Take care, Father- know that I pray for you every day.
No Father it isn’t about protecting children~it’s about killing the priesthood. (I know that was a rhetorical question~sorry couldn’t help myself)
My prayers for you continue.