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	Looking for Answers on Disgraced Priests CT Post January 12, 2011 http://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/Looking-for-answers-on-disgraced-priests-953138.php Integrity is an oft-used word with highly important meaning for individuals who serve as leaders of institutions of all kinds. Competence is another word of great importance in assessing institutional leadership. When the two words are used to describe leadership behavior, something positive for those served is generally happening. Where the two words fail to describe leaders' behavior we often stumble upon troubled or failing institutions. This week we learned of the death of former Bridgeport priest Laurence F.X. Brett at age 73. Brett was an incardinated priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport under Bishops Curtis, Egan and Lori. His sexually abusive actions in the Bridgeport Diocese as early as 1964, and later in New Mexico and Maryland, were known to church and civil authorities in multiple locations. For a time he had been on the FBI's fugitive task force list. Brian Wallace, spokesperson for the Diocese of Bridgeport, was quoted as saying that Bishop William Lori laicized Brett in 2002 after he was found living on St. Maarten's. This is not true. Conversations confirm a miscommunication at least, if not a misunderstanding. Bishop Lori, as a Roman Catholic bishop, does not have the power "to reduce a priest to the lay state" or laicize, as the meaning indicates. Only Rome has that power. Father Brett objected ultimately to having his priestly status reduced. Bishop Lori's power was limited to suspending his license to perform publicly as a priest or to represent himself as such; and to formally recommend to Rome a reduction of Brett to the lay state. Apparently the bishop did so. When did Rome respond? And how many years after 2002 could Father Brett no longer present himself as "Father"? How long was the public vulnerable to a predator priest on the loose? Action by Rome takes time in this regard. I asked Brian Wallace when the laicization was complete. He did not know. I suggested that this information would be helpful to faithful Catholics as an important part of creating safe environments. It would also serve an example of the consequences potentially faced by a notorious clerical abuser who had moved his ministry to multiple dioceses and continued deviant criminal behavior. Subsequently I asked Wallace, as diocesan spokesperson, whether laicization or suspension of priestly duties was recommended regarding the other priest abusers for whom settlements have been made by the Diocese of Bridgeport. He was unable to make a general statement on that question. He said he did not know. A former Bridgeport Diocese pastor is currently listed in a Catholic Priest Directory as retired. This man had substance abuse issues when he was removed from his parish as well as credible allegations of sexual abuse. His removal was part of one of the two major financial settlements totaling more than $37 million. Was this priest laicized? Wallace and I concluded he probably was not laicized if he is currently listed as retired in a directory. Perhaps his public ministry activities had been suspended by Bishop Lori. But Wallace did not know and there is no listing of current status available on the diocesan web site. There is no current address for this man who might have been labeled "sex offender" (had the church acted responsibly when leaders first heard of adult criminal behavior perpetrated on Catholic children) and who may continue to be a potential threat to children. Is the church saying that such men are no longer a public threat to children? If the church provides financial support today, does it make a difference? There is a priest included in diocesan settlement presumably with suspended duties who continues to be observed wearing his clerical collar and suit at various public gatherings. Does this behavior contradict Bishop Lori's assumed supervisory orders suspending priestly public activities? How does a bishop enforce his instructions in this regard? Where does a whistleblower report this behavior, or determine if the priest in question was suspended in the first place? How do most priests in retirement, having fulfilled their pastoral calling with integrity during 50 or more years, feel about "brother priests" who were sexual predators of young people passing themselves off as priests of integrity? Another local predator priest was laicized at his request and diocesan accord and now lives in an apartment complex in Bridgeport. Many people who know him address him as "Father" as is his wish. Habits die hard. Perhaps a teaching article by the bishop or posting on his site would help the faithful understand how these sanctions and protocols work. Even more necessary is information (current and accurate) on the Diocese of Bridgeport site as to the identities of abusing "priests," their current residence, their status (suspension only, laicization in process with Rome, laicization complete, etc.) and whether they receive funds from health care benefits, priest pension plans or other Diocesan financial support. The management of clergy sexual abusers has not demonstrated competence by American Catholic Bishops over the past 50 years. While steps have been taken by the U.S. Bishops in the 21st century to create Safe Environment plans, these steps have not included open, accountable or transparent processes to verify that former abusers will be less able to offend in the future or that members of all communities can be at least forewarned of those who have been acknowledged predators in the past. Limited episcopal action does not support safe environments for all children. Until competence and integrity for the whole community is practiced and on public display, church leaders cannot hope to regain respect or moral authority and be honored as in the past. John Marshall Lee, of Bridgeport, represents the local chapter of the Voice of the Faithful.
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