ILLINOIS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747, bblaine@SNAPnetwork.org)
Chicago Archbishop Cupich and LA Archbishop Gomez can’t be trusted to keep their promises.
In a long and troubling new article, the Chicago Tribune asks “Should Chicago priest return to ministry after revelations of teen misconduct?”
To be concise, the answer is no.
Fr. Bruce Wellems admits repeatedly sexually abusing a seven-year-old boy. At the time, Wellems was an older teenager. When confronted with these facts in Los Angeles, Fr. Wellems attacked the messenger, saying reports of his abusive acts had “no factual basis.”
Archbishop Blasé Cupich should not put Fr. Wellems back into priestly ministry. No bishop should. This is a “no brainer.” Why take the risk?
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez won’t let Fr. Wellems work in a parish there. Cupich evidently disagrees. He should hold a news conference and explain his irresponsible behavior with this admitted predator. Cupich should also explain why he’s been secretive about this case.
Fr. Wellems’ backers try to spin this as a story of sin and redemption. That’s disingenuous at best and downright dangerous at worst. This is a story of crime, not sin, and of recklessness, not redemption.
In a bizarre twist, when our group warned California parents and parishioners about Fr. Wellems, he attacked us, saying we’re guilty of “poor judgment” and “victimizing the thousands of families in the parishes where I have worked.”
Catholic officials in at least two states have long kept Catholic families in the dark about Fr. Wellems’ past. If they truly feel he is not a risk to re-offend, why won’t the honor their pledges to be “transparent” and be open and public about Fr. Wellems’ admitted crimes? Why won’t they be honest with parents and let them make their own decisions about whether to trust Fr. Wellems around their kids.
Instead, church officials kept quiet about his past and put children at risk.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is not much better. Although they did remove Fr. Wellems, they posted no public announcement and duped parishioners about the scope and scale of Fr. Wellems’ crimes.
If Fr. Wellems had admitted to embezzling money before he was a priest, we doubt that Catholic officials would be so “forgiving” and let him act as a treasurer.
Making excuses and minimizing crimes by calling them “sins” endangers children. Violating “zero tolerance” pledges by keeping admitted molester priests in ministry puts children in harm’s way.
Fr. Wellems may never be jailed for his crimes. But he can be removed from all work with children and youth. Parishioners can be informed and warned. Children can be kept safer.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.