Rewarding Sex Offenders: Archdiocese of Newark Has Lost Its Way

By Karen Horton
The Nj.com
February 3, 2013

http://www.nj.com/parenting/index.ssf/2013/02/rewarding_sex_offenders_archdi.html

Does the Church have a different take on justice?

I went to mass today, as I do most Sundays. I am not Roman Catholic but my family is, and I am happy to accompany them and support their commitment to their faith.

We watched a video of Archbishop John J. Myers, of the Archdiocese of Newark, making his annual request for parishioners to support the Archbishop's Annual Appeal so that the archdiocese can continue its good works in Essex, Bergen, Hudson and Union counties. We'd already sent in our money.

Then I got home and read the The Star-Ledger's account of a priest who confessed to groping a 14-year-old boy 12 years ago. Pretty bad, right? The priest, Michael Fugee, admitted he did it. Afterwards, he recanted his confession. There was a trial, he was convicted, then the verdict was overturned on a technicality.

Later Fugee was given the position of chaplain at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark. The hospital wasn't told about his trial; it was told he was a priest in good standing. Therefore he was granted access to children, patients or visitors, in direct opposition to his legal agreement. He was pulled from that post as soon as the hospital found out it had not been told the truth about the chaplain.

Since then he has been allowed to celebrate mass at parishes around the four counties. Now, though, Fugee, has hit the jackpot without going to Atlantic City. Archbishop Myers has named him co-director of the Office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests. It's a visible, big deal position. According to the article, he will have "responsibility for shaping the education and so-called formation of priests in the archdiocese."

How in the name of anything legal, ethical, or moral can Archbishop Myers think this is a good decision? And in the arena of public opinion, how can this possibly be a smart move for an institution already battered by its own bad calls?

Last week there was damning news about how the Los Angeles archdiocese hid, for 40 years, evidence of priests abusing children, priests who were protected or shuffled off to other countries even though the church leadership had evidence of their guilt. These disclosures have fueled my outrage.

Archbishop Myers, I listened to your appeal today. You asked for money to "help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless" and other good and understandable goals. The money is also to "provide training for seminarians." Will Father Fugee be assisting in that task in his role of shaping the education of priests? If so, then send my family's money back.

Here's my request to you. Let's call it A Parent's Appeal for Sound, Moral Decision-making. Please rescind this appointment. For the good of the children, future priests, the archdiocese.