Attrition or Contrition?

By Jennifer Haselberger
Canonical Consultation
March 16, 2015

http://canonicalconsultation.com/blog.html

My 'google alerts' surfaced an interesting reference to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis yesterday, or at least to one of its former employees. The Star Tribune's 'Business People' noted that Rita Beatty, formerly the Communications Manager for the Archdiocese, has taken a position as a senior account representative at Himle, Rapp and Co.

I don't think that Rita's new position is a result of budget cuts in the Archdiocese or even the previously announced layoffs. From what I have seen, the budget for the Office of Communications has remained steady or even increased in the face of the severe budget deficit and bankruptcy filing. Moreover, Rita's departure would impact more than just communications. She was the original staff person charged with bringing some sense to the Office of Child and Young Protection, and she all but ran the Aim Higher Foundation from her cubicle in the 'garden level' (meaning basement) of the Chancery.

However, what I find most notable about her job change is that she is the third senior communications staff member to depart since this crisis began in September of 2013. The first to depart was Sarah Mealey, who was the Director of Communications for the Archdiocese from April 2012 until March 2014. Publicly, it was stated that Sarah's departure was to allow her to spend more time with her family, but privately I was told that she was felt that as the crisis unfolded the 'lawyers' were making all of the communications decisions. For my part, I always thought it significant that her resignation was announced less than a month after MPR published a series of emails from July of 2012 demonstrating that key staff, her included, were aware that abusive priests remained in ministry even as they assured the public that 'no priests credibly accused of misconduct are currently in ministry in this Archdiocese'.

With Rita's departure, all of the staff members implicated in that email exchange have left their employment with the Archdiocese. Andy Eisenzimmer, Chancellor for Civil Affairs, was the first to depart when he retired in December of 2012. Father Laird was next, submitting his resignation shortly after the Wehmeyer story broke. Then came Sarah Mealey, followed by Jim Accurso, who served as Archdiocesan spokesman until September of 2014. I don't fault Jim for his role in any of this, and I hope he has found much happier and more satisfying work. He was certainly one of the employees most mistreated by the Archbishop/Chancery administrators, second only to former Director of Stewardship Jim Fennell.

And now Rita. Interestingly, she approached me at the press conference announcing the global settlement and thanked me for exposing what had been taking place. I didn't find her words particularly credible at the time- as I have said before, I can't understand how anyone could continue to work at the Archdiocese, and especially in communications, given the lies that were being told. Hearing of her departure, I supposed I will have to reconsider my position vis a vis her sincerity.