Father Griffith Responds to Archbishop Vigano's Statement

"Regarding Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano's most recent statement, I stand by my July 2014 memo to Bishop Lee Piche. I welcome a thorough accounting of the matter."
Father Daniel Griffith, August 28, 2018

The following letter from Father Daniel Griffith, will appear in our September 2, 2018 Sunday bulletin:
No doubt you are aware of the numerous scandals confronting the Catholic Church. The allegations against Archbishop McCarrick; the disturbing reports of abuse and cover-up contained in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report; numerous allegations of past misconduct and sexual harassment at multiple seminaries in the United States; and now the explosive claims of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. In response to Archbishop Vigano’s most recent statement, as it pertains to my July 2014 memo to Bishop Lee Piche, please see my statement on the parish website. I don’t think it is possible to overstate the depth of this crisis facing the Church in the United States – a crisis borne of abuse of power, clericalism, careerism, an absence of accountability, and immorality. The scope and seriousness of these scandals has left me deeply saddened and dismayed. 

This past week, a Lutheran colleague of mine at the St. Thomas Law School was in tears as she spoke about imagining the pain and fear that the victims in the Grand Jury Report experienced and continue to experience. Later in the week, a young woman from Lourdes asked if I had preached about this issue. I told her I had preached about the scandal a couple of weeks ago, but she encouraged me to say more. Friday, a victim-survivor of clergy abuse relayed in harrowing detail the abuse he experienced at the hands of a priest to law students who are taking a course on Restorative Justice taught by Hank Shea and me.  

In the past number of days, I have thought often of this present crisis, including the needed acknowledgment by Church leaders of its gravity, a stronger expression of sorrow on the part of Church leaders, and a more comprehensive and prompt response. These repeated scandals of the Church and our failure to protect children and vulnerable adults are deleterious to the good of the Church and our mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the good of the Church and in the interests of justice and accountability, all of these scandals and the claims therein must be thoroughly investigated.

Pope Francis has spoken out this past week regarding the scourge of this abuse and the need for greater accountability and change in a letter to all Catholics and again last weekend in Ireland. I do not doubt the sincerity of Pope Francis’ words or commitment in this regard, but many have rightly said the time has come for decisive and comprehensive action to reform a Church culture that has either allowed or in some cases perpetuated abuse, abuse of power, and clericalism. 

To that end, I would like to briefly suggest the following actions I believe are necessary in light of this grave crisis: an independent investigation of the Archbishop McCarrick matter – who knew what and when and who failed to either report his misconduct and/or abuse; a national panel of experts appointed by Pope Francis made up mostly of lay Catholics who are experts in various relevant fields who will review the scope of the crisis and issue recommendations for implementation; a clear and enforceable process for claims against a bishop for abuse, misconduct, harassment, and abuse of power; an effective method for regional reporting of adult misconduct on the part of clergy, including bishops, which safeguards those who have reported from reprisals; a review and reform of our system of selecting bishops; a thorough review of seminary culture and formation programs past and present with an eye toward learning where mistakes were made and vigilance in forming the best and most healthy priests possible; and last and not least in importance, fervent prayer for the purification of the Church in the United States so that we can faithfully live out the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ. 

In the coming weeks, Our Lady of Lourdes and other Catholic institutions will offer programming where Catholics are able to discuss the important issues facing the Church in the United States and globally to offer their concerns and ideas in response. At Our Lady of Lourdes, I will begin our Adult Faith Formation year by addressing this topic on September 16th. Tom Johnson, Lourdes parishioner and the omsbudsman for clergy abuse victim survivors will speak at the September Vespers at Lourdes, our young adult program, on September 13th. Please know that I and the Our Lady of Lourdes staff are always open to sitting down with parishioners and friends to discuss any thoughts, concerns or ideas you may have.
 
Please join me in prayer for a Catholic Church in the United States and globally that is holier, healthier, more apostolic, and more faithful in reflecting the light and love of Jesus Christ! 
 
Father Daniel Griffith, August 29, 2018