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| Politicos Rally around Priest at Center of Legal Battle Msgr. John Urell, Who Investigated Abuse Claims, Is Devoted Priest to Thousands, Group Says By Rachanee Srisavasdi Orange County Register October 11, 2007 http://www.ocregister.com/news/urell-abuse-diocese-1886826-john-sex A political blogger and the former head of the county Democratic Party have formed an informal Catholic group to support a priest criticized for his handling of past sex-abuse cases and whose medical condition has become the center of a legal battle to hold Bishop Tod Brown in contempt of court. Msgr. John Urell broke down during a July deposition in a Mater Dei High School sex-abuse case, and was sent by Brown to Southdown Institute, a psychological treatment center for clergy in Canada. That move caused attorneys for the former student to ask a judge to levy a fine against the bishop or put him in jail.
Despite settling that sex-abuse claim and three others for approximately $6.7 million last week, diocese attorneys want the Dec. 3 contempt hearing to go forward, saying it would clear the bishop's name. On Wednesday, the group, called "Friends of Monsignor John Urell" ran a full-page ad in the Register, called "Open Letter in Support of Msgr. John Urell," who reportedly is suffering from acute anxiety. The group's organizers …amp;quot; John Hanna, a civil lawyer who is the former county Democratic chair and political blogger Matt Cunningham who attends St. Norbert's Catholic Church, where Urell is a pastor -- allege Urell's reputation has been maligned in the media. "We feel Msgr. Urell is being used as a pinata and had been dragged into these cases," said Hanna, a longtime friend of Urell who also serves on the Rancho Santiago Community College District board. "He has clearly made errors in judgment," he said. "But we know this man who has been maligned is a good man and we want to show him our support." Hanna said the group has no involvement with current or past sex-abuse litigation against the Diocese. John Manly, who deposed Urell and represents the four plaintiffs in the recent settlement, said Urell's testimony was key to uncovering how the diocese handled sex-abuse complaints. "John Urell was the diocese point man and had the most knowledge regarding molestation in the diocese," Manly said. "What he presided over was evil incarnate. No great homily, no wonderful funeral changes that fact." During his approximately four-hour deposition, Urell testified he was responsible for clergy-abuse complaints as the diocese's chancellor, but also was involved in taking accusations against laypeople. He said he met with 20-25 victims or families who alleged abuse by a priest or layperson. When questioned about his investigation of Msgr. Michael Harris, a former Mater Dei and Santa Margarita High School principal accused of abusing several boys, Urell said he didn't recall if he told the family of one victim to call police. The diocese ended up paying victims $17.6 million for alleged abuse by Harris, who was removed from the priesthood in 1995. "I try to forget them," Urell. "I don't forget the people, but a horrible chapter in their lives and mine." "I don't know … until about two months ago (I) thought this whole kind of thing was over for me. It's never over for people who get victimized. I know that … I mean, I can't hold my head up at the moment …." Urell said. To find out more about the group, visit its website: www.friendsofmonsignorjohn.com Contact the writer: (714) 834-3773 or rsrisavasdi@ocregister.com |
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