Michael Fugee Laicized: What’s Wrong with This Picture?

By Dr. Jeff Mirus
Catholic Culture
March 18, 2014

http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/the-city-gates.cfm?id=760

Newark priest Michael Fugee has been laicized after violating an agreement with prosecutors to stay out of any ministry involving children. Contrary to the agreement, Fugee slipped into the neighboring Diocese of Trenton, without seeking permission, and participated in youth programs at two parishes. We provide a brief report on Fugee’s laicization, with links to more detailed background from the Newark Star Ledger.

Our story is accurate, but what is wrong with the picture it presents?

I suppose you could pick out several things. One is certainly Fugee’s assignment by Archbishop John Myers as co-director of the Office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests. Admittedly, there are only a limited number of positions for priests who are not allowed to work with youth, but the Ongoing Formation of Priests? Really?

Still, to me the big blot on the picture is in the final sentence: “In a November agreement with prosecutors, Fugee agreed to seek laicization.” This is a man who has admitted improper “handling” (literally) of boys, including the fact that this gives him pleasure. This is a man who violated his own agreement and that of the Archdiocese of Newark which required him to keep away from children in his priestly ministry.

And this is a man who was laicized because he sought it himself to escape further prosecution.

So what is wrong with this picture? The Church did not clean its own house.