BishopAccountability.org
	Bettencourt Backs down from Calling Mccormack a “pedophile Pimp” By Bridgette P. LaVictoire Lez Get Real April 4, 2011 http://lezgetreal.com/2011/04/bettencourt-backs-down-from-calling-mccormack-a-pedophile-pimp/ New Hampshire House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt probably said what was on the minds of many a Catholic, even a devout Catholic, when it came to Bishop John McCormack. Undoubtably, there are many who feel that he really is a “pedophile pimp” given his work with Cardinal Bernard Law to hide the crimes of many a Catholic priest. Unfortunately, that probably did not outweigh the number of people who yelled at him for daring to speak the truth. Bettencourt has deflated like a bad souffle. Bettencourt wishes to meet with McCormack in order to apologize for his ‘choice of words’, and has said that he will “immediately be apologizing for my remarks.” Kevin Donovan, spokesman for the Diocese of Manchester, has said that the bishop will be happy to meet privately with Bettencourt, and that the meeting is being scheduled. Bettencourt said that his comments about McCormack were undiplomatic and inappropriate. He also said that he continues to have strong opinions about McCormack and his role in the Church child sex abuse scandal. He said “It was a shoot from the hip statement made in the heat of the moment.” The Republican leader of the New Hampshire House asked Monday for a meeting with Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack to apologize for his choice of words in calling McCormack a “pedophile pimp.” State Rep. D.J. Bettencourt of Salem told reporters Monday when he gets his meeting with McCormack: “I will immediately be apologizing for my remarks.” Kevin Donovan, spokesman for the Diocese of Manchester, said McCormack will be happy to meet privately with Bettencourt. He said the Diocese is scheduling a meeting. Bettencourt said his comment about McCormack was undiplomatic and inappropriate. He said he still has a strong opinion about McCormack’s role in the clergy abuse sex scandal in the last decade. According to WMUR: A spokesman for the diocese said Friday that Bettencourt’s remarks were false, defamatory and detracted from the real issue — the state’s obligation to the poor. Bettencourt stood by his comments later Friday, but on Saturday sent McCormack a letter saying that upon reflection, his comments were “undiplomatic and a better choice of words was both warranted and appropriate.” But Bettencourt also said that for many Catholics, McCormack’s “presence as bishop is an ongoing reminder of an evil that was perpetrated on those most vulnerable and innocent.” “My comments reflected my feelings toward someone who, in his position, played such a prominent role in a terribly dark chapter in the history of the Catholic Church,” Bettencourt wrote. He also defended his reaction to McCormack’s criticism of the House budget. House budget writers “poured their hearts” into protecting the most vulnerable, he wrote. Of course, Bettencourt and the House Republicans did not do something as innovative as, say, taxing those who can most afford it. Instead, they chose to cut programs and tax those who cannot afford it. Governor Lynch and Catholics United urged Bettencourt to retract his comments, and Democrats urged Republican House Speaker William O’Brien to condemn the comments Bettencourt stated that he took time to reflect and pray about the issue over the weekend, and that he accepts responsibility for not living up to his own high standards for public statements. Bettencourt is, for the record, a practicing Catholic. Bettencourt said of McCormack “I failed to separate the man from his church.” He has also pulled down his Facebook page. On Saturday, Bettencourt sent out a letter to Bishop McCormack It is reprinted here below: Bishop McCormack, I wanted to take a moment to write to you regarding my comments made yesterday that were directed at you. Upon humble reflection, the characterization of my feelings towards your leadership as bishop was at best undiplomatic and a better choice of words was both warranted and appropriate. I pride myself on “calling it as I see it” and standing strong for the things that I believe in. But in this case my frank words detracted from my genuine sentiment, one which is shared by many Catholics in New Hampshire and across the country. All too often, we express the greatest degree of raw emotion when we are hurt, such was the case here. My comments emanated from the deep hurt brought forward by the damage caused by the sex abuse scandal that engulfed our church, which has resulted in thousands turning their back on the church, particularly for those of my generation. Unfortunately, your role in that scandal has, in my opinion, hurt the Church in ways that will take decades to repair. As a practicing Catholic myself, I cannot separate your involvement in what has been the darkest period in our Church’s recent history. While ultimately the Lord will judge each of us, many people judge our faith by our leaders and I feel that it why a large number have left the Church. For many Catholics your presence as Bishop is an ongoing reminder of an evil that was perpetrated on those most vulnerable and innocent. I came of age in the faith during the height of the sexual abuse scandal and when many were walking away from the church, I remained. I stayed in the belief that the Christian faith and our Church were more than the few individuals who betrayed one of the greatest trusts a man can be given- that of a priest. Some have suggested that it is time to move on from that hurt but for many of us this is simply not quite so easy. My comments were in no way were intended as an attack on the Catholic faith, the Church, or on the position which you hold. I remain a committed member of our church and am proud to be so. They also had nothing to do with your message of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. My comments reflected my feeling toward someone who, in his position, played such a prominent role in a terribly dark chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. I encourage all citizens who wish to come to the State House and have their voice be heard to do so, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with their message. But to be criticized for failing to protect those who are “vulnerable” by someone with your own history of protecting the vulnerable was more than I could stomach. It reignited all the feelings that I have worked to control in seeing that damage to the Church that this scandal created. I have been dismayed by the criticisms that the House budget shows a disregard for the poor or disadvantaged when in reality the Finance Committee and many in the House of Representatives poured their hearts out to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society were not disproportionately hurt by our work to have the state live within its means. The New Hampshire House of Representatives is essentially comprised of volunteers who care about the state and want to serve their neighbors and make society a better place. Any notion that we neglected the most vulnerable in society is simply without basis. Ultimately we will all be judged by God and I’m sure there are areas where you have made our church stronger, but from my perspective it will be a much needed new chapter for New Hampshire Catholics when your retirement is accepted and we can bring new leadership to the church that is untainted by the past abuses. For many this will be a much needed step toward healing. However, as I feel it is critical for you, as a leader of our Church to consider your role and history when speaking out on issues of the day, I bear the same responsibility for how I represent myself, the House of Representatives, the state and my faith. In this regard, I have fallen short of my own standards in my public comments. While I still feel considerable anger and hurt about the abuse scandal, you and certainly the public deserve better from me than colorful comments that are lacking in forethought. Rest assured that I appreciate the flaws of my statement and I know that you are aware that we are all human and for those who are believers, sinners. You have my word that I will use this moment as an opportunity for personal growth and will thoughtfully consider the criticism I have received. Respectfully, Rep. D.J. Bettencourt
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.