Voice of the Faithful NJ to Archbishop Myers: Inform Parishioners of Sexual Predators

Voice of the Faithful NJ issues statement on the actions of the three dioceses of Northern New Jersey; Trenton, Paterson and Newark, regarding their actions in response to Father Michael Fugee's access to children.
 
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- The three dioceses of Northern New Jersey, Trenton, Paterson and Newark, have shown themselves unable to monitor the activity of a confessed sexual predator, Father Michael Fugee.  Fr. Fugee gained access to children in all three dioceses, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office that he would never again be in unsupervised contact with youth or work with youth as a priest. The archdiocese of Newark signed this memorandum agreeing to see that Fr. Fugee was kept from work with children.  It is very disturbing that we have heard nothing but denial of all responsibility for this failure to supervise from the Newark Archdiocese and its Archbishop on this matter.

VOTF-NJ also takes the most profound issue with the Dioceses of Trenton and Paterson NJ, urging “victims of clergy sex abuse to report any allegations to the diocesan abuse hotline” as reported in the Record Newspaper on May 10, 2013: Sweeney blasts Newark archbishop over handling of priest sex abuse accusations. Both dioceses neglected to urge victims and family members or anyone with knowledge of the abuse to report it to the proper civil authorities and law enforcement prior to, or simultaneously with reporting to diocesan officials.  Moreover VOTF-NJ faults the Archdiocese of Newark and Archbishop John J. Myers for failing to urge the faithful to identify sexual predators against the children of this archdiocese in any way.

Given the Roman Catholic hierarchy’s history and track record  in this state, country and indeed the entire world in covering up and obfuscation of the abuse of children by priests, it is inconceivable why NJ dioceses would not advise people to go directly to civil authorities.

In response to the Fr. Fugee case and the responses of the three dioceses, VOTF NJ urges the following four actions:

·         • Report crimes of sexual abuse directly to county prosecutors.  Any perpetrator of sexual abuse against a minor is guilty of a criminal offense and must be prosecuted in a court of law.  Report abusive activity by any priest or church official to a diocese only after appropriate law enforcement personnel have been contacted.    

·         • All dioceses of NJ insure that their policies specifically require and recommend the reporting of suspected child abuse first and foremost to law enforcement.

·         • Archbishop Myers must notify the members of every parish in the archdiocese of Newark in which any sexually abusive priest has ever ministered.  Whether that priest is presently active or resigned or deceased, we call for the archbishop to inform the parishioners of the priest’s identity and his dates of service in their parish.  Ask anyone with knowledge of any acts of sexual abuse to inform the Bergen County prosecutor.

·         • Support state legislators’ efforts to expand New Jersey’s statute of limitations on civil suits against sexual offenders in order that justice may be served for the victims of clergy abuse no matter when it occurred.

Sexual abuse of a child is a grave crime.  The failure to prevent such abuse by a person with authority over the abuser is equally grave.  It is this failure of the archbishop of Newark that calls out for action today.  As David Gibson reports in Religion News Service on May 9, 2013, even the USCCB has had enough of the failures of the archbishop of Newark.  He quotes, “I’ll be honest with you, Newark is disheartening,” said Bernie Nojadera, head of the Office of Child and Youth Protection at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “It is like taking steps backwards.”

VOTF NJ calls on all people of good will to join us in seeking justice for those whose lives have been wounded by the failure of proper oversight on the part of bishops.

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VOTF-NJ Mission          

To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church.

Our Goals:          To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse

         To support priests of integrity

         To shape structural change within the Catholic Church
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