BishopAccountability.org
	House Majority Leader Regrets Comments, Seeks Meeting with Bishop By Paula Tracy and Denis Paiste New Hampshire Union Leader April 5, 2011 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=House+majority+leader+regrets+comments%2C+seeks+meeting+with+bishop&articleId=c78afa83-f1c1-4d2e-854e-e4fa727228dc CONCORD – New Hampshire House Majority Leader David J. Bettencourt said he regrets calling the Catholic bishop of Manchester a "pedophile pimp" and has asked for a meeting with the Catholic leader to personally apologize for his "inartful" words. But Bettencourt, 28, a practicing Catholic in his fourth term as a state representative from Salem, said he still has "strong opinions" on Bishop John B. McCormack and his ability to lead New Hampshire's 290,000 Catholics because of his role in the clergy sexual abuse scandal. Bettencourt, who is also a law student, said he has been receiving support from fellow Republican lawmakers and would not step down from his leadership post if asked to do so. Many readers of UnionLeader.com also supported Bettencourt and told him not to apologize for anything. Patrick O'Malley of Nashua wrote: "Don't back down ... He's a disgrace." But Bettencourt said the words fall below his standards, and he wants to "refocus" attention on the issues of the Legislature. He said he's also shut down his Facebook page, where he had posted the comments. "Everybody needs to take a step back, calm down and humbly reflect," he told reporters at a meeting at the State House majority leader's office Monday. "The terms I used were not appropriate for someone in my position and I take full responsibility for that," Bettencourt said. "A man of God should not be addressed in that fashion." "Most regrettably, my comments were seen as an attack on the church and Catholics throughout New Hampshire. Nothing could have been further from my intentions. And to my fellow Catholics, I offer my sincere apology," he said. "I failed to ... separate the man from the church." Bettencourt has written McCormack, but as of Monday afternoon, the bishop had not received it, said Diocesan spokesman Kevin Donovan. He did confirm that McCormack will meet Bettencourt, but not in his official capacity as House majority leader, and it will not be public. He did not disclose a time and place. "It will be a pastoral meeting between the Bishop and a Catholic in the diocese, not a public meeting," Donovan said. McCormack spoke at a State House rally last Thursday, criticizing budget cuts he said would hurt the state's most vulnerable. At 9 a.m. Friday, Bettencourt responded on his Facebook page. "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.' Would the Bishop like to discuss his history of protecting the "vulnerable"? 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. He has absolutely no moral credibility to lecture anyone," the post said. McCormack was previously a top aide to Cardinal Bernard Law and faced pressure to resign over his handling of sexually abusive priests in Boston. He was cleared of criminal charges in Massachusetts, and eventually settled lawsuits with more than 160 victims who were sexually abused by New Hampshire priests. The bishop, who has been in office since 1998, announced his intent to retire several months ago upon reaching the age of 75. His retirement is pending, and the Vatican has yet to name a new leader. McCormack and Bettencourt have never had a formal meeting, Bettencourt said. But it was not because McCormack has not reached out to him and other Republican leaders. Deputy Majority Leader Shawn Jasper R-Hudson said earlier in the term, McCormack offered to meet with legislative leaders. It was sparsely attended, and Jasper said Bettencourt said he would have nothing to do with McCormack because of his role in the sex abuse scandal. Jasper said he has only heard from one fellow Republican legislator denouncing Donovan's words, while the majority support him. New Hampshire Republican Chairman Jack Kimball said he was very pleased to see that Bettencourt has apologized for the terms he used regarding Bishop McCormack. I "am further encouraged that he has requested a meeting with the Bishop and look forward to a resolution to this unfortunate matter," Kimball said. Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, outreach director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, wrote: "focusing on how one adult insults another won't protect kids from child molesters. Let's focus instead on how many adults hurt many kids through childhood sexual abuse, and how to prevent it by reforming archaic, predator-friendly laws, most notably the statute of limitations." Four Catholic Democratic legislators -- Reps. Ben Baroody of Manchester, Jackie Cali-Pitts of Portsmouth, John Cloutier of Claremont and Steve Shurtleff of Penacook -- have denounced House Speaker William O'Brien for his support of Bettencourt. Donovan said the bishop will not back away from participating in the political process. "The bishop speaks for the positions of the Catholic Church in this diocese," Donovan said. "He has a responsibility to articulate Catholic teaching, and he will continue to do so. Donovan said the bishop has received support from his parishioners. "We've heard anecdotally from many people that are very supportive of the bishop, and he is very appreciative of that support," Donovan said. 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 Contact: dpaiste@unionleader.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.