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	When the Perpetrator Pretends to Be the Victim By Kevin Masterson Examiner January 8, 2009 http://www.examiner.com/x-1135-LA-Religion--Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m1d8- When-the-perpetrator-pretends-to-be-the-victim [This article references the author's important review, Having doubt about 'Doubt' .] Paul Kendrick is a long time advocate for victims of clergy sexual abuse in Maine. Last year, he stood with other advocates & survivors each Sunday in front of the Cathedral Parish in Portland leafleting, requesting that Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland identify & release the names of all credibly accused perpetrators and remove them from ministry immediately. He sent the following letter to Bishop Malone, as he planned to attend the Christmas Midnight Mass at Cathedral Parish a few weeks ago. Surprisingly he was told he was not welcome. In turn, the Portland Diocese initiated civil legal action. Bishop Malone claimed he felt "threatened." He has warned Mr. Kendrick that if he continues to advocate for victims in the manner that he has, Malone will forbid Kendrick from receiving communion. December 16, 2008 Bishop Richard Malone Catholic Diocese of Portland Portland, Maine Dear Bishop Malone, I hope to be able to attend the Midnight Mass at the Cathedral next week. It is my understanding that you will deliver the homily. I look upon my participation in this Mass as an "immersion experience." I cannot resist having a front row seat to be able to listen to you preach about the unconditional love and compassion of Jesus Christ, yet, at the very moment you are speaking these words, you and I will both know that you have rejected the mother of a sex abuse victim as unworthy of your time. The Compassion of Christ calls us to be in communion with those who suffer, Bishop Malone. I will come in peace. But, if you happen to look my way from time to time, you may see me shaking my head ever so slightly (in disbelief), or my head may be in my hands as I pray for the tolerance to remain seated in spite of your hypocrisy. Each time you see my face during the Mass, Bishop Malone, I want you to remember Marie Tupper, her 85 year-old mother, Claire Tupper, and Marie's 30 year-old son, Ben Tupper. Ben was sexually abused by Thomas Lee when he was a toddler. Have you ever wondered or inquired as to how Ben and the Tupper family are holding up? What a Christmas story you have to tell. At the same time that your houseguest, Rev. Paul Miceli, is warm and cozy inside your mansion on the Promenade, Marie Tupper will be standing on the sidewalk outside your home, shivering from the cold as she waits to meet with you. Let's not forget that while working as Secretary of Ministerial Personnel for Cardinal Law, your friend, Miceli, aided and abetted the sexual abuse of children by assisting in the transfer of abuser priests into unsuspecting parishes and schools. On the other hand, Marie Tupper's son was raped by her family's parish priest during the time that Marie's mother worked in the rectory as the housekeeper. How ironic it is that you choose to invite Miceli, the very person who facilitated the sexual abuse of children, into your home, yet, at the very same time, you slam the door on a mother whose only child was wrecked forever because of the harms and injuries inflicted upon him as a result of his child sexual abuse. It will be a trying experience for me to hear you preach on Christmas Eve, Bishop Malone. Knowing what we both know, how will you ever be able to preach the gospel with passion and integrity? Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Sincerely, Paul Kendrick I spoke with Mr. Kendrick at length today. A devout Catholic who was educated extensively by the Jesuits, he is passionate about helping victims of abuse. He, like most advocates & survivors of clergy sexual abuse by priests & nuns in Catholic Church, did not understand at first why Bishops did not want to follow basic teachings which are the tenets of all religion and help those who are hurting. Over the years he has come to learn, as everyone has, that unfortunately the hierarchy of the Catholic Church has no intention of practicing what they preach or obeying the law of the land for that matter. I will be covering this story in detail for the next few days. Please stay tuned. After reading his story, you may begin to understand why I had doubt about "Doubt."
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