Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap. of Boston will not be attending next week’s World Meeting of Families in Dublin due to the ongoing investigation into St. John’s Seminary, the Archdiocese of Boston announced on Wednesday.
Previously, O’Malley had been scheduled to moderate a panel and discussion in Ireland titled “Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.” O’Malley is President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
In a statement from the archdiocese, it was explained that “important matters pertaining to the pastoral care of St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston and the seminarians enrolled in the formation program there require the Cardinal’s personal attention and presence,” and he therefore would not be making the trip to Ireland.
After it became public that other dioceses had paid settlements to adult seminarians alleging abuse against the former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a handful of other, younger, former seminarians took to social media to share their own stories about what they experienced while in seminary. Several of these stories came from men who had studied at St. John’s.
St. John’s Seminary educates seminarians from most dioceses in New England, as well as those from the Dioceses of Oakland, Ca., and Rochester, NY.
In response to allegations of “activities which are directly contrary to the moral standards and requirements of formation for the Catholic priesthood” at St. John’s, last week O’Malley announced a “full, independent inquiery” of the seminary. As part of the investigation, the cardinal placed Msgr. James P. Moroney, the seminary rector, on “sabbatical” for the fall semester and installed an interim rector.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
The article states that “O’Malley had been scheduled to moderate a panel and discussion in Ireland titled ‘Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.’ O’Malley is President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.”
The real reason for the withdrawal is not the current invesyigation; rather it was O’Malley’s blatant failure in his oversight capacity in addressing sexual abuse. The seminary investigation is merely a ruse to help him save face.
Eagle Tom,
I wouldn’t call it a ruse because everyone knows that the reason for the investigation is because of his failure in oversight.
I don’t think he saved face at all.
Steve,
Timing is interesting. Besides, with instantenous communication, he can monitor from anywhere. With the credibility of the hierarchy already susbect, it is a reasonable supposirion.
Nevertheless, you make a reasonable counter-argument.
Pax
Why didn’t he do anything about Father James Martin? Or for that matter why is Cardinal Dolan silent on this matter? He’s in his domain.
Ellie,
He didn’t do anything about Fr. Martin because Cdl. O’Malley does not have juridical authority over Fr. Martin. Fr. Martin is a member of the Society of Jesus. As such his Provincial within the order is the one with disciplinary authority.
Good, stay home and clean up the mess in your own backyard. As if.