Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, responded in a letter to the priests of the Archdiocese to the recent accusations of weak leadership (expressed much more strongly than my words).
Through the kindness of that wonderful blog, Whispers in the Loggia I am able to share with you the letter. What it very clear:if someone wishes to challenge a player in the big leagues, that same someone had better have all the ducks in a row and acknowledge his identity. With so many folks apparently damaged by the letter, the Ordinary realized his role was not to sit back and let the matter die its own death. If some of my brother priests were accusing poor leadership, perhaps the letter demonstrate what leadership can be. The letter follows:
October 20, 2006Dear Father:
The recent anonymous letter criticizing my pastoral service to the Archdiocese has done immense harm largely because it has been so shamelessly exploited by the media. At the core of the letter and the declaration in support of it by Monsignor Howard Calkins are stories that are being told by priests who have been found guilty of sexually abusing minors after thorough treatment of their cases according to well-established Archdiocesan procedures.Many claim that they have been the victim of unjust treatment, deception and lack of understanding. Unfortunately, no one challenges what they have to say. And the reason is clear: the Archdiocese has always been careful to respect their privacy.
* * *This situation cannot be allowed to continue, as the recent episode of the anonymous letter, the declarations of Monsignor Calkins, and other negative statements to the media have amply proved. Thus it is that I believe we need to address this matter head on. We cannot be left open to all manner of lies, leading to all manner of scandal and damage to the Archdiocese and the Archbishop from people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions. When a priest who has been found guilty of sexually abusing a minor and appropriate action has been taken in his regard, if he is reported to be speaking untruthfully about the matter, he will be called in to see me and invited to write a letter correcting his statements and offering his apology. His letter will then be made public.If he refuses to write the letter, he will be asked to appear before a panel of six priests -- three members of the Presbyteral Council and three Vicars -- to make his case. Thereafter, officials of the Archdiocese will make our case. The panel will study the matter and issue a report to the Presbyteral Council.Confident that all cases of the sexual abuse of minors by priests that have been treated during my tenure have been handled properly, I have no doubt what the conclusion of the panel will be. The conclusion, however, will be theirs.The faithful will then be informed of what has happened and the road to savaging the Archdiocese and its Archbishop with falsehoods about cases regarding the sexual abuse of minors will be definitively closed.* * *All of this I would invite you to discuss at your Vicariate meetings in November so that the matter can be added to the agenda of the Presbyteral Council at its December meeting. In January, February, and March, I will reduce my usual load of liturgies, meetings, conferences, dinners, and such so as to visit all nineteen of the Vicariates at their regular meetings. On these occasions, I will go over the process outlined above and, if time allows, I will repeat the substance of what was said at the special meeting of the Presbyteral Council on October 16th, in my residence.With prayerful best wishes, may I remain
Very truly yours in Christ, [SIGNED]Edward Cardinal Egan Archbishop of New York Who would want to be a cause of these directives? Maybe there is a diocese in Antartica!!!
* * *This situation cannot be allowed to continue, as the recent episode of the anonymous letter, the declarations of Monsignor Calkins, and other negative statements to the media have amply proved. Thus it is that I believe we need to address this matter head on. We cannot be left open to all manner of lies, leading to all manner of scandal and damage to the Archdiocese and the Archbishop from people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions. When a priest who has been found guilty of sexually abusing a minor and appropriate action has been taken in his regard, if he is reported to be speaking untruthfully about the matter, he will be called in to see me and invited to write a letter correcting his statements and offering his apology. His letter will then be made public.If he refuses to write the letter, he will be asked to appear before a panel of six priests -- three members of the Presbyteral Council and three Vicars -- to make his case. Thereafter, officials of the Archdiocese will make our case. The panel will study the matter and issue a report to the Presbyteral Council.Confident that all cases of the sexual abuse of minors by priests that have been treated during my tenure have been handled properly, I have no doubt what the conclusion of the panel will be. The conclusion, however, will be theirs.The faithful will then be informed of what has happened and the road to savaging the Archdiocese and its Archbishop with falsehoods about cases regarding the sexual abuse of minors will be definitively closed.* * *All of this I would invite you to discuss at your Vicariate meetings in November so that the matter can be added to the agenda of the Presbyteral Council at its December meeting. In January, February, and March, I will reduce my usual load of liturgies, meetings, conferences, dinners, and such so as to visit all nineteen of the Vicariates at their regular meetings. On these occasions, I will go over the process outlined above and, if time allows, I will repeat the substance of what was said at the special meeting of the Presbyteral Council on October 16th, in my residence.With prayerful best wishes, may I remain
Very truly yours in Christ, [SIGNED]Edward Cardinal Egan Archbishop of New York Who would want to be a cause of these directives? Maybe there is a diocese in Antartica!!!
