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	Bettencourt Regrets Sharp Words against Bishop By Denis Paiste New Hampshire Union Leader April 4, 2011 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Bettencourt+regrets+sharp+words+against+Bishop&articleId=c78afa83-f1c1-4d2e-854e-e4fa727228dc In a letter to Manchester Bishop John B. McCormack released Monday, House Majority Leader David J. Bettencourt said that he fell short of his own standards in critical remarks last week. "In this regard, I have fallen short of my own standards in my public comments," Bettencourt, R-Salem, said in the letter. Bettencourt in a Facebook posting late Thursday called McCormack a "pedophile pimp" for his role in the Boston priestly sex abuse scandal, while he served as secretary of ministerial personnel in the mid-1980s under Cardinal Bernard F. Law. In the letter, Bettencourt does not apologize, but calls his words "at best undiplomatic and a better choice of words was both warranted and appropriate." In a telephone interview Monday, Bettencourt said, "The terms and the labels that I used were lacking in forethought and a person in my position and a person in his position, more forethought and diplomacy is needed. I do apologize for the terms that were used." Bettencourt said he has requested a meeting with the Bishop. A diocesan spokesman did not immediately return a phone call, but the Catholic League is calling on the House to censure Bettencourt. "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," Bettencourt, who is 26, wrote. "Unfortunately, your role in that scandal has, in my opinion, hurt the Church in ways that will take decades to repair," he said. McCormack, bishop of the Manchester diocese since 1998, and his retirement is pending. "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," Bettencourt wrote. The Catholic League on Monday called on the House of Representatives to censure Bettencourt. "I just read Bettencourt's letter, and this guy has an uncanny ability to dig himself in even deeper," Catholic League president Bill Donohue aid Monday in a telephone interview. "All he had to do was to issue a one-sentence or a one-paragraph statement saying that he regrets the regrets the vicious accusation that he made against the bishop, and the issue would have been over," Donohue said, "but instead, there's no apology. "Instead, there is a long-winded attempt to divert attention from why he is on the hot seat," he said. "Therefore the Catholic League hopes that his colleagues move to censure him. "This kind of incivility has no legitimate role to play in public life," Donohue said. On his Facebook page, Bettencourt attacked McCormack for his role in the Archdiocese of Boston's child sex abuse scandal. "Would the bishop like to discuss his history of protecting the 'vulnerable?' This man is a pedophile pimp who should have been led way from the State House in handcuffs with a raincoat over his head in disgrace. He has absolutely no moral authority to lecture anyone," Bettencourt. Bettencourt's sharp words drew criticism from parish priests Sunday. "It's a slap in the face to Catholics of New Hampshire," the Rev. C. Peter Dumont, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Auburn and St. Paul Parish in Candia. "When he insults a bishop, he insults a whole church," Dumont said. Gov. John Lynch Saturday called on Bettencourt to retract the comments about Bishop McCormack. Bettencourt, who is Catholic, said Monday, his characterization of the bishop's leadership "unwarranted and inappropriate." "It was a shoot from the hip, heat of the moment comment that should have been more thought out," Bettencourt said in a telephone interview. McCormack drew the attack from Bettencourt after joining other religious leaders at a massive State House rally Thursday to protest deep cuts in the House-passed budget. McCormack and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson said society has a duty and moral obligation to take care of the poor and vulnerable. McCormack also said Catholic teaching supports labor organizing a "fundamental human right" and noted the "indispensable role" trade unions perform in promoting justice, especially during hard economic times. In the telephone interview Monday, as in the letter, Bettencourt stood his ground on the substance of the Bishop's criticism. "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," Bettencourt wrote in his letter to the bishop. "Any notion that we neglected the most vulnerable in society is simply without basis." Write to dpaiste@unionleader.com __ Complete text of House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt's letter to Bishop John McCormack continues 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 else 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
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