Monday, May 09, 2005
EMAIL FROM DR. BOND
Dear Friends,
It was reported in the Scranton Times yesterday that Bishop Joseph Martino intends to apologize to John Doe and his family for the harm done to them by Carlos Urrutigoity and Eric Ensey of the Society of St. John. In the article linked below, Bishop Martino is quoted as follows:
"In view of the serious claims made by the young person and in light of the statements by the witnesses who supported his claim, it was determined that the just decision was to reach a settlement that will assist the victim and his family as they attempt to heal."
http://www.scrantontimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14486344&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6
Although Bishop Martino's attorneys have no doubt counseled him to avoid any explicit admission of wrongdoing on the part of Urrutigoity and Ensey, nevertheless Bishop Martino's statement clearly acknowledges that the Diocese recognizes the truth of John Doe's accusations. Moreover, the settlement price of $455,550 is itself an admission of guilt.
The Scranton Times article also reports that the SSJ's Shohola property has been sold to repay the 2.65 million dollar loan made to the SSJ by former Bishop James Timlin. The timing of the sale of the SSJ property and the announcement of the settlement are obviously not coincidental. Indeed, the timing raises serious questions:
(1) Who bought the property and what were the terms?
(2) What was the Diocese's involvement in the sale of the property?
(3) Is it merely coincidental that the sale price of the property was equal to the amount loaned to the SSJ by Bishop Timlin?
(4) Did the sale of the property involve a deal between the Diocese and the SSJ that will allow the SSJ members to incardinate in another diocese?
(5) Why is the SSJ web site still soliciting money to expand the chapel on their Shohola property?
(6) If the SSJ members are no longer living on the Shohola property, where are they now living?
(7) Are Urrutigoity and Ensey to be laicized? What about the other SSJ priests who lied to protect them?
(8) Is Deacon Joseph Levine, former SSJ Superior General, who also lied to protect them, going to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Scranton?
In light of these unanswered questions, we are troubled by Bishop Martino's statement to the Scranton Times that suggests the SSJ scandal is now over:
"It is unfortunate that this group of priests brought so much scandal and consternation to the priests and laity of the diocese. It is now time to move forward and put the society behind us."
Bishop Martino's claim is clearly premature. If we are to put the SSJ behind us for good, then the faithful must know that Urrutigoity and Ensey are to be laicized, that the SSJ has not been allowed to relocate, that the remaining SSJ members have been fully investigated and disciplined, and that Deacon Levine will never be ordained a priest.
Finally, the College of St. Justin Martyr must be justly compensated. In retaliation for the College's efforts to inform the Diocese of the SSJ's immoral conduct, Bishop Timlin obstructed and harmed the legitimate business and goals of the College. In response to Bishop Timlin's gratuitous attack, the College filed lawsuits against the Diocese and the SSJ. Our quest for justice has been documented at www.SaintJustinMartyr.org/news/notices.html.
Pax vobiscum,
Dr. Jeffrey M. Bond
President
College of St. Justin Martyr
(570) 685-5945
