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	NH House Leader Apologizes to Bishop By Doug Ireland Eagle Tribune April 5, 2011 http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1075328858/NH-House-leader-apologizes-to-bishop House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt will meet with Catholic Bishop John McCormack on Thursday to apologize for calling him a "pedophile pimp" on the Salem lawmaker's Facebook page. Bettencourt said he contacted the Catholic Diocese of Manchester yesterday to schedule the private meeting and sent a letter of apology to the bishop over the weekend. "I take full responsibility and accountability for my remarks," the Salem Republican said in an interview yesterday. "This morning, I reached out to Bishop McCormack. I would like to apologize to his face for undiplomatic and inartful comments." Bettencourt posted the comments on his Facebook page after McCormack spoke out against the Republican-dominated House's proposed state budget cuts at a Statehouse rally attended by several thousand people on Thursday. Members of Bettencourt's own party have said he should have been more tempered. Democratic Gov. John Lynch said over the weekend Bettencourt should retract his comments. The Catholic League president said yesterday Bettencourt should be censured. The controversy erupted Friday after Bettencourt wrote on his Facebook page that the bishop had "absolutely no moral credibility to lecture anyone" because he failed to take strong action during the clergy sexual abuse scandal. Later in the day, Bettencourt issued a statement, saying he stood behind his comments and "it will be a great day for New Hampshire Catholics" when McCormack retires. McCormack served as a top personal aide to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was in charge of sexual misconduct investigations and involved in transferring problem priests between parishes. Law resigned in 2002. Bettencourt said although he later realized his comments were clearly inappropriate, he is still disappointed in McCormack's failure to prevent sexual abuse by clergy. "It was a statement made from a shot at the hip in the heat of the moment," he said. "I maintain a strong opinion on the topic. ... Moving forward, it's important that we make sure we are respectful and maintain a proper level of decorum." Kevin Donovan, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Manchester, confirmed McCormack will meet with Bettencourt. He said McCormack is declining to comment further, other than to say he hopes lawmakers will act carefully when finalizing the state budget. "The bishop said he will be happy to meet with him," Donovan said. On Friday, Donovan issued a statement on behalf of the diocese. It said Bettencourt's statement was "clearly false, defamatory, and detracts from the real issue." Also that day, fellow Republicans, including state party Chairman Jack Kimball, said Bettencourt's remarks were inappropriate. But yesterday, Kimball and House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon, issued statements that said Bettencourt should be praised for offering to apologize. "I am very pleased to see that D.J. Bettencourt has apologized for the terms he used regarding Bishop McCormack," Kimball said. "I am further encouraged that he has requested a meeting with the bishop and look forward to a resolution to this unfortunate matter." O'Brien agreed. "Representatives need to hold themselves to a higher standard," O'Brien said. "I commend Rep. Bettencourt for doing so and leading by example today by taking full responsibility and accountability for the language he used. We need to turn our focus back to the important issues facing our state that include jobs and economic growth." But Lynch has taken a harder stance. "These comments have no place in the public discourse, and the people of New Hampshire have a right to expect a higher level of civility and judgment from their elected officials," he said. Bill Donohue, president of the New York-based Catholic League, said yesterday he would contact each of the New Hampshire House's 400 members to request they censure Bettencourt. After reading a copy of Bettencourt's lengthy letter to the bishop, Donohue said he was even more disappointed in the lawmaker's remarks. "You can certainly criticize the bishop, but do it in a civil manner," he said. "He's digging himself in even deeper. He needs to be punished for his arrogance." • • • Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com. direland@eagletribune.com
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