BishopAccountability.org

Bishop McManus Oui Arraignment Set for Today in Ri Court

By Shaun Sutner
Telegram & Gazette
May 7, 2013

http://www.telegram.com/article/20130507/NEWS/105079802/1116/raw_headlines

Bishop McManus

During a brief court appearance this morning, Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus pleaded not guilty to charges of drunken driving and refusing a chemical test. The bishop was in district court in Wakefield, R.I.

He was released on personal recognizance and ordered to return to court next week.

This weekend, he was arrested in his hometown of Narragansett, R.I.

The bishop was in a hit-and-run accident on Boston Neck Road before he was arrested, according to Narragansett Police Capt. Sean Corrigan.

“On Saturday evening, May 4, I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after having consumed alcohol with dinner,” the bishop said in a statement released Monday morning after news stories appeared about the arrest. “There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action.”

The other driver, whose car the bishop allegedly hit, was not injured, Capt. Corrrigan said. The man followed the bishop and called police, Rhode Island TV station NBC 10 reported.

The accident occurred about two miles from the bishop's vacation home at 215 Col. John Gardner Road in Bonnet Shores, an enclave with waterfront views and high-end homes near Narragansett Beach.

The 1,200-square-foot ranch-style house with its ocean view was once Bishop McManus' late mother's home, said Raymond Delisle, a diocese spokesman. The property is valued at $476,400, according to town assessor records.

A 911 call to the police at 10:32 p.m. reported an erratic driver, according to the Narragansett Police Department log.

Police arrested Bishop McManus, 61, at his home. He was released on a summons and is scheduled to be arraigned today in district court in Wakefield, R.I.

Police declined to release the report on the incident until after the arraignment.

Bishop McManus has overseen the Worcester Catholic Diocese since 2004. A Rhode Island native who grew up in Narragansett, he is the former auxiliary bishop of the Providence diocese.

The bishop did not say Mass in Worcester Sunday. He was not scheduled to preside over the Mass because he was in Narragansett at a family gathering, Mr. Delisle said.

Bishop McManus was at work at his office in the diocese chancery Monday morning, Mr. Delisle said.

“I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence,” his statement continued.

Bishop McManus, who earns approximately $25,000 yearly, has retained his own lawyer, Mr. Delisle said.

Initial reaction in the diocese appeared supportive.

“Like any brother in our family that this could happen to, I would support him,” said the Rev. John Madden, pastor of St. John's Church in downtown Worcester. “All of us have made mistakes in judgment. Like he's said, we can only apologize and make amends.”

Several parishioners leaving Monday's noontime Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in downtown Worcester said they are standing behind the bishop.

“He's a great guy. He's really respected in the diocese. We're all human beings and we all seem to have a misjudgment,” said Greg Pike, 54, of Auburn, who comes to the Mass most days. “We don't know all the facts. They will come out in the disposition.”

Mr. Pike said Bishop McManus should be able to survive the incident “as long as it doesn't happen again.” He added: “It wouldn't interfere with his administrative duties to lead the diocese.”

John McCabe of Worcester said he was surprised by the news.

“I don't know what to say,” Mr. McCabe said. “I thought he was a very holy person, and a nice guy.”

Another prominent Catholic leader who was arrested recently on a drunken driving charge did not see his career negatively affected by the incident.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone was arrested in August 2012 at a police checkpoint in San Diego. At the time he was the archbishop-elect.

He went on to plead guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving and was officially made bishop in October 2012.

A spokeswoman for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops referred questions to the Worcester Diocese.

Susan Spencer of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.

Contact: ssutner@telegram.com




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