By Kevin Landrigan
Nashua Telegraph
April 2, 2011
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/914457-196/house-leader-calls-catholic-bishop-pedophile-pimp.html
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A top Republican in the state House of Representatives lashed out at Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack on Friday, calling him a “pedophile pimp” after McCormack made remarks critical of the two-year state budget at a rally Thursday.
House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, defended his stark comments, which were posted first on his Facebook page on Friday morning.
“This man is a pedophile pimp who should have been led away from the State House in handcuffs with a rain coat over his head in disgrace,” Bettencourt said online. “He has absolutely no moral authority to lecture anyone.”’
Bettencourt, 27, said he was referring to the role McCormack played in sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests while serving under Boston Cardinal Bernard Law.
For several years, Law had put McCormack in charge of dealing with priests accused of sexual abuse, and in many cases, they were merely reassigned to serve in other parishes.
“Bishop John McCormick (sic) of the Catholic Diocese of NH told the crowd, ‘It’s a moral concern (because) the vulnerable take priority in our society,’?” Bettencourt posted. “Would the Bishop like to discuss his history of protecting the ‘vulnerable’?”
Later, Bettencourt said he objected to McCormack criticizing House Republicans for not supporting spending on programs for the poor.
“As our Legislature considers how to spend our limited state resources – resources that come from the people – we urge the Legislature and the governor to place the poor, the unemployed and our most vulnerable citizens first,” McCormack said in his remarks.
“Our commitment to human solidarity, the dignity of human labor, and justice for the weak and marginalized demands no less.”
A Catholic, Bettencourt said all those of his faith will celebrate McCormack’s retirement.
Kevin Donovan, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, said Bettencourt’s criticism was off base and off the bishop’s point.
“That statement is clearly false, defamatory and detracts from the real issue,” Donovan said in a statement. “Bishop McCormack’s message to the people of New Hampshire was the simple message of the gospels. The church and our broader society have fundamental obligation to care for the poor.
“The bishop’s message is a challenge to ourselves and our elected officials to never waver in our obligation to care for the most vulnerable of society. “
House Speaker William O’Brien, R-Mont Vernon, called Bettencourt’s language “strong,” but defended his right to object to McCormack’s actions.
“He’s an invaluable asset to the state of New Hampshire,” O’Brien said. “I think we saw that in his insightful and eloquent closing statement on the budget yesterday.”
Bettencourt said later Friday that McCormack should understand that he’s open to strong criticism by taking part in the rally.
“He stepped onto secular soil yesterday, and he should not be above being called out on the merits of his words and his actions,” Bettencourt said.
Republican State Committee Chairman Jack Kimball was more critical of Bettencourt than O’Brien was.
“I have not yet spoken to Mr. Bettencourt personally about his comments, but I am disappointed with his words and I don’t share his sentiments,” Kimball said.
Kevin Landrigan can be reached at 321-7040 or klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com
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