No Idea When He'll Return, California Catholic Daily, September 20, 2007

No Idea When He'll Return
Priest Who Could Give Important Testimony in Sex Abuse Case Sent for Treatment in Canada after an Emotional Breakdown.

California Catholic Daily
September 20, 2007

http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=0f280a89-f124-4e13-8080-d0531c7c38c0

Orange diocese's former chancellor, Msgr, John Urell, who was former Bishop Norman McFarland's point man for dealing with sex-abuse allegations, is in a Canadian treatment center and doesn't appear likely to be returning soon — a possible setback for for the plaintiff in a sex-abuse lawsuit against the diocese in which Urell's testimony is considered critical.

During a July deposition in a case against the diocese involving allegations of sexual abuse by a former Mater Dei High School assistant coach, Urell was so upset by questions about his handling of sex-abuse complaints as chancellor that he walked out of his unfinished deposition, crying. It was later learned that Urell had checked into the Southdown Institute near Toronto, Canada.

Urell, the pastor of St. Norbert's Church in Orange, remains on temporary medical leave from the diocese, and his attorney, Patrick Hennessey, has written the plaintiff's attorneys to tell them that Urell cannot finish his deposition due to an undisclosed medical condition. The judge has ordered Urell to specify his condition; but, so far, he has not complied.

Sex abuse victims' lawyers have charged that, as chancellor, Urell was among the diocesan officials who kept priests in active ministry even after receiving reports of their past abuse. Last fall, Urell came under more fire when he was considered for re-nomination to the Orange County Human Relations Commission. Complaints from abuse victims forced Urell to withdraw his name from consideration.

During Bishop Tod Brown's Sept. 10 deposition, plaintiff's attorney John Manly pressed Brown to reveal what condition Urell had that required in-patient treatment. Bishop Brown insisted he did not know what Urell was being treated for. When Manly asked if Urell was being evaluated for childhood sexual abuse, Brown replied, "I do not know that." Brown's attorney, Peter Callahan, objected to questions as to whether or not Southdown was a pedophile treatment center. Bishop Brown admitted that, although Southdown treated a variety of problems, pedophilia was among them.

Bishop Brown decided to transfer Urell to Southdown at the suggestion of Fr. Christopher Smith, diocesan vicar of priests, who had consulted with Urell's doctors and attorney. Brown also testified that he had no idea Urell would be called as a witness for the upcoming trial, nor did he know when he expected him back. Callahan pointed out that there were at least four similar treatment centers available in the United States.

The diocese of Orange has posted a "Spin vs. Fact" sheet on its web site, which maintains that Urell was not sent to Southdown to flee jurisdiction and avoid testimony, but that "the recommendation to place Msgr. Urell in a residential treatment facility was made by Msgr. Urell himself, his doctors, his family and close friends and the diocesan Vicar for Priests, Father Christopher Smith. At no time was the diocesan legal team involved in making this decision. Patrick Hennessey, Msgr. Urell's personal attorney, was consulted."

According to the Sept. 19 Orange County Register, Hennessey said he saw Urell was in distress in late August. Hennessey got Urell an appointment with the priest's psychiatrist, who suggested immediate hospitalization on Sept. 18. But why in Canada? "My understanding," Hennessey said, "is that this facility treats a variety of conditions but is uniquely qualified in matters involving clergy members, and [it] understands pastoral life."

Hennessey said plaintiff's lawyers have agreed not to require Urell to complete the deposition as long as they could use what he said in a deposition for a 2001 molestation case.