Voice
of the Faithful Focus – A brief update
highlighting both a problem in our church and
some progress being made as we work together to Keep
the Faith, Change the Church.
Problem: A California bishop delays in reporting a priest who admitted to sexually abusing a child and the alleged criminal flees the country.
From The Santa Rosa Press Democrat in June 2006: “The Rev. Xavier Ochoa was suspended April 28 after admitting the abuse to the Roman Catholic bishop of Santa Rosa, California. Bishop Daniel Walsh didn't notify law enforcement until three days later, giving Ochoa time to flee, according to church and law enforcement officials. The Sonoma County district attorney's office on Thursday filed multiple misdemeanor and felony charges against Ochoa related to three boys he allegedly abused. Besides a young boy, he also was charged with molesting two teenage boys more than 10 years ago.” Based on state law these alleged crimes should have been reported by phone within 24 hours of Ochoa’s April 28th meeting with Bishop Walsh and two other priests. A written report was due within 36 hours. Why wasn’t
Ochoa at least supervised after the meeting until the authorities were contacted?
This lack of urgency suggests that even when faced with admitted guilt
at least one bishop is still unable to the follow diocesan guidelines or state
law to ensure that our children are protected. Ochoa is the 17th priest from
the Santa Rosa Diocese accused of molesting a child. Click
here for VOTF’s response.
Progress: The Vatican’s Apostolic Signatura
has suspended the suppression decree for all seven
vigiling parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston while
their appeals to prevent permanent closings of those
parishes are under review.
While
this decision is a procedural one, it does indicate
that the appeals have merit.
The suspension means the archdiocese cannot sell
the parishes' property until the appeals are complete.
Although there is still a long way to go for these
parishes, this is a step in the right direction.
Mary Beth Carmody, co-chairwoman of the St. Jeremiah
Appeals Committee, said yesterday that the suspension
means the archdiocese cannot sell the parishes' property
until the appeals are complete. ‘It doesn't guarantee
success, but it's a very positive development,’ she
said. To learn more about building a powerful and
prayerful response to parish closings click
here (PDF). |
