|
Download this letter in .pdf
format
NEW
An Important Letter from Archbishop
Brunett (.pdf)
May 26, 2009
Dear Friends,
Just when you may have thought that the endless
and tragic ordeal of the clerical sexual abuse scandals might be over, the
Archdiocese of Seattle is back on the front page.
I hope it will be helpful if I share a few things with you to help give
perspective.
- The present case being tried in court involves Patrick O’Donnell, a
Spokane priest (at the time; he is no longer a priest) who was in residence
at St. Paul’s parish in the 1970’s while pursing graduate studies at the
University of Washington.
- In allowing O’Donnell to live at St. Paul’s rectory, Archbishop
Hunthausen, who was Archbishop at the time, was acting in completely good
faith. The bishop of Spokane told him absolutely nothing regarding this
priest’s personal history, including the fact that he was a serial child
molester who had abused young boys while serving in more than one parish in
Spokane. Archbishop Hunthausen’s understanding was that O’Donnell had
come to Seattle to pursue graduate studies at the University of Washington.
Had the Archbishop been informed about O’Donnell’s exceedingly troubled
history, he would not have allowed him to stay in one of our parishes.
- While at St. Paul’s, O’Donnell sexually abused the two individuals who
have brought suit against the Archdiocese. Their attorneys contend
that Archbishop Hunthausen knew or should have known that O’Donnell was a
child molester. The Archbishop categorically and unequivocally denies
this.
- Anyone who knows Archbishop Hunthausen knows him for the man of God he
is: an honest, genuinely holy man of unimpeachable integrity. Speaking
for myself, I worked very closely with Archbishop Hunthausen as his
Chancellor and Vicar General for nearly twelve years, and I have known him
for the better part of forty years, and I can say without any hesitation
that Archbishop Hunthausen is constitutionally incapable of misrepresenting
the truth. That is probably true of few, if any, people I have known
over the years but it is unquestionably true of him.
- Archbishop Hunthausen is widely acknowledged as one of the first bishops
in this country to take honest, methodical, and energetic steps to address
the whole matter of clergy sexual abuse. In the mid-1980’s when the
American bishops were first provided in-depth education in this matter –
including its criminal nature and its incurability – Archbishop Hunthausen
immediately took steps to put into place enlightened policies and procedures
involving experts in the field and a lay review board. Rather quickly,
the Seattle protocols for dealing with clergy sexual abuse became a model
for the nation – a model, had it been followed by all the dioceses and
Archdioceses – would have eliminated many of the tragic situations the
Church is having to deal with today.
- Archbishop Brunett has asked me to sit in on the trial. It seems
best that there be a priest sitting at the table along with the Archdiocesan
lawyers. I am happy to do so in order to support the Archdiocese and
Archbishop Hunthausen who will be testifying this coming week.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the plaintiffs’ attorneys called me to testify this
past week because I was one of the priests who served on a board that
assisted the Archbishop in the placement of priests in the 1970’s and
1980’s. I, of course, along with the other priests on that board, had
no more knowledge of O’Donnell’s sad history than the Archbishop.
I hope this is helpful. In closing, I would ask that you keep Patrick
O’Donnell’s victims in your prayers now and in the days to come. I would
also ask that you pray that the truth will prevail in this trial. One can
never be certain in a case like this that it will, but if it does, the
Archdiocese has nothing whatever to fear.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Very Reverend Michael G. Ryan
Pastor
|
