This past Tuesday a report was released by the Vatican that shows how the ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick was able to manipulate church leadership and sexually abuse young men. Last year Pope Francis stripped Mr. McCarrick of his titles and faculties, he was a Cardinal and former Archbishop of Washington DC.

The publishing of this report is groundbreaking because it is the first time ever that the Church has pulled back the curtain and shown how decisions are made about leadership. As painful as it is to read the 461-page document, it’s necessary because the only way we can stop corruption is to look it square in the eye and say, “no more.” I wanted to share a few thoughts with you all on the report.

First, it is clear that the problem with Mr. McCarrick wasn’t his promise to celibacy nor his sexuality. The breaking of his promise to be chaste is done by men and women who are married and single every day. Celibacy didn’t make him a rapist and sexual assaulter. The fact that he’s homosexual has nothing to do with his crimes either. Who your attracted to doesn’t make you hurt people more or less than others of a different sexual orientation. Mr. McCarrick isn’t a pedophile since all his victims were post-pubescent men. So, if celibacy isn’t the problem and his sexual orientation wasn’t the problem, what caused this abuse? His pride and entitlement.

Shame on him for believing that people owed him something. Shame on him for being an abusive father to his spiritual children and even his own priests. Shame on the church leaders for being so incompetent and absolutely shame on those who allowed it to happen and even covered up his crimes.

Finally, please know that I share in your anger and pain. While I’m thrilled this report was released and that this pitiful man was justly removed from the clerical state, more work still needs to be done. I know Mr. McCarrick rewarded priests who helped him cover up his crimes by making them bishops and those bishops need to be removed. I know that there are more corrupt leaders in the church that need to be removed. But this report being released is a good start. 

If you decide to read the report yourself, please remember that while horrible men like Mr. McCarrick exist in the Church, we also have men like St. Oscar Romero who used his power as Archbishop to stand up for the rights of his people even when corrupt church leaders tried convincing him otherwise. We have men like newly Blessed Michael McGivney who used his priesthood to take care of widows and orphans on the east coast. We have leaders like Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma who served to his martyrdom in Guatamala protecting his people from their corrupt government. We need to remember this balance when our justified anger boils up at the crimes of men like Mr. McCarrick.

So, please know that here at St. Edward, we do not tolerate any sexual abuse of both our children and adults. We are 100% transparent and work hard to make sure everyone has the proper training and background checks. Safety is our #1 priority. If you ever have an issue, problem, or feel uncomfortable please tell me or one of our staff or call the Archdiocese. I want everyone to come into Church feeling safe, protected, and peaceful. Thank you.