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	Rep. Bettencourt Regrets Insulting Bishop: Expects Meeting with Catholic Leader to Apologize By Jennifer Keefe Foster's Daily Democrat April 5, 2011 http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110405/GJNEWS_01/704059925 [Bettencourt's letter to Bishop McCormack] DOVER — Angered by comments House Leader D.J. Bettencourt made toward Bishop John McCormack this past weekend, some local residents are calling for his resignation. According to The Associated Press, Bettencourt, R-Salem, has announced he regrets his words and wishes to apologize to McCormack for calling him a "pedophile pimp." Bettencourt made the statement after McCormack participated in rallies held at the Statehouse Thursday against the House budget proposal. Bettencourt posted on his Facebook page McCormack had no business urging lawmakers to protect the state's most vulnerable given his involvement in the clergy sex abuse scandal within the last decade. "These things are looking back years and years ago and there's no proof of any statement (Bettencourt) has made," said state Rep. Roger Berube, D-Somersworth, Monday. "I think he should resign. This impacts many people in the state of New Hampshire and there's no justification for that kind of a statement." McCormack was a top aide to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston, where the Catholic sex abuse scandal began and where McCormack was tasked with investigating sexual misconduct allegations. He was named bishop of Manchester in 1998. In 2002, he conceded the New Hampshire diocese had harmed children by moving abusive priests through different parishes and avoided criminal charges in the incident. Pete Eldredge, a Somersworth resident, said he doesn't think anything Bettencourt stated about McCormack is proven to be fact, and while he has his own issues with the bishop, "they're between me and him. If it's not proven, you shouldn't degrade the guy." Elgredge had e-mailed Bettencourt specifically because of the legislator's comments. He asked for Bettencourt's resignation, using some strong language. Bettencourt replied, "I will not be resigning so don't waste your breath and it looks like you have some experience with colorful language yourself." Bettencourt also forwarded Eldredge a letter he mailed to McCormack explaining his comments. While the letter doesn't appear to contain an apology, Bettencourt has since stated "I will immediately be apologizing for my remarks" when he has a face-to-face meeting with McCormack, which he requested, according to The Associated Press. His letter to McCormack explains the comments were "at best undiplomatic and a better choice of words was both warranted and appropriate." But he explains, "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... For many Catholics your presence as Bishop is an ongoing reminder of an evil that was perpetrated on those most vulnerable and innocent." Eldredge said he wasn't impressed with the letter. "I responded it was nice he apologized to the bishop, but what he did was two or three pages going on explaining this is what made him do it, and it wasn't really an apology," he said. Bettencourt also includes a statement that is unclear as to whether he is referring to McCormack or, potentially, Law. "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," he writes. Eldredge supports a public apology. "He tore up the bishop in public — he should apologize in public." According to The Associated Press, McCormack has already agreed to meet with Bettencourt. Berube is hoping the issue comes up in the House as Bettencourt's statements are made part of the record. "If he can't control his comments, he doesn't belong (in the House)," Berube said. "I have never heard that kind of statement from anyone in the House." Berube said he is most concerned because he has spoken with some residents who believed the statement to be true. Contact: jkeefe@fosters.com
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