Advocate for Victims of Clergy Abuse Calls for Springfield Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to Resign

By Ron Chimelis
Springfield Republican via Mass Live
June 26, 2020

https://www.masslive.com/news/2020/06/advocate-for-victims-of-clergy-abuse-calls-for-springfield-bishop-mitchell-rozanski-to-resign.html

SPRINGFIELD — The press conference consisted of a single person, but Robert Hoatson said he spoke for thousands of victims who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse — and any who still may.

The former priest and president of Road to Recovery, an advocacy group for victims of church-related sexual abuse, called for the resignation of Mitchell Rozanski, the outgoing bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. Hoatson also called on Pope Francis to rescind the bishop’s reassignment as Archbishop of the Archdiocese in St. Louis, Missouri.

Hoatson said he expects neither result, but promised to keep speaking out on behalf of victims of clergy sexual abuse. Speaking in front of diocesan headquarters in Springfield Friday, he said retired Judge Peter Velis’ findings of “unequivocally credible” sexual abuse claims against former Bishop Christopher J. Weldon — and failures in the diocese’s handling of the allegations — stood as a scathing commentary on Rozanski’s tenure in Springfield.

“Nothing has changed in the church. The same thing happens time after time,’ said Hoatson, who said church cover-ups are the norm around the world.

Rozanski has apologized to the man known anonymously as “John Doe,” who came forth with allegations against Weldon, the bishop in Springfield from 1950 to 1977. Rozanski called the victim “courageous,‘' but Hoatson said the time for apologies has long passed.

“We need action, not words,” Hoatson said. The advocate added he’d hoped “John Doe” would appear at the press conference but that “he’s not strong enough” for such a public appearance yet.

Hoatson said he advises victims to avoid reporting their experiences to diocesan officials at all, but to go directly to law enforcement authorities.

“When John Doe came forth (to the diocese), he was summarily dismissed and they hoped he’d go away. We know (Rozanski) can’t handle (a sexual abuse review). That’s been proven,‘' Hoatson said.

“They closed ranks around Bishop Weldon,” he said. “That’s what they do.”

In Velis’ report, the retired judge wrote, “it was clear that the process included an inexplicable modification and manipulation of the reports received by and acted on by the Diocesan Review Board.” Velis also noted failures to report the allegations to law enforcement.

According to Jeffrey J. Trant, director of the Springfield Diocesan Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance, Rozanski has acknowledged mistakes and has taken steps to prevent them in the future.

“As Archbishop-designate Rozanski noted Wednesday, ‘in almost every instance we failed this courageous man, who nonetheless persevered thanks in part to a reliable support network as well as a deep desire for a just response to the terrible abuse he endured,‘” Trant wrote in an open letter.

Trant said Rozanski directed that Trinity Health remove Weldon’s name from its rehabilitation facilities, told the diocesan cemeteries office to plan to remove the former bishop’s remains to a less prominent location marked with a simple gravestone, instructed all Catholic facilities to immediately remove honorable mentions, references, memorials and pictures of Weldon, and ordered his name be placed on our diocesan website listing all those with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a child or vulnerable adult.

Trant said his office’s mission is to support healing and recovery, and to hold guilty parties accountable. But, he acknowledged the Velis report will likely make people more mistrustful than ever.

“I also recognize that survivors, family members, and other members of the diocesan community have good reason to be suspicious of ‘rhetoric about change’ as we have failed to live up to these promises time and time again,” Trant wrote.

The diocese says Rozanski’s assignment of Velis as an independent investigator showed the bishop’s sincerity and commitment. Hoatson’s interpretation is much different.

He said when even someone selected by the diocese finds such a neglectful handling of an abuse claim — which Hoatson said left John Doe with years of new trauma and depression — it’s impossible to trust any internal church review. He said Rozanski should be held accountable.

“He promised transparency and accountability. We’re still waiting. He has shown he is unable to handle the basic fundamentals of such a case,” Hoatson said.

Hoatson testified before the New York Legislature in 2003, when he called for the resignation of all church leaders who had helped cover up abuse. A religious brother or priest for 33 years, the former New Jersey clergy member said he was shunned and punished by the Catholic Church in subsequent years, and eventually left the priesthood.

Hoatson said his own experience as a victim of clergy sexual abuse helped inspire him to co-found Road to Recovery, which has 5,000 members, he said.

“It’s been 18 years since the Dallas Charter,‘' he said, referring to a 2002 policy package where bishops vowed to put an end to abuse and secrecy. Hoatson said Rozanski also served on a committee with other bishops for the purpose of child protection.

“What did he learn from that committee?” Hoatson asked rhetorically.

“The church refuses to reform,” he said. “But John Doe’s integrity and courage will fortify others to come forward, because he refused to take no for an answer.”