ILLINOIS
WLS
[with video]
May 16, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — Roman Catholic priests who are sex abusers are being paid to handle prayer requests from unsuspecting families.
For centuries, the Catholic faithful have arranged masses for sick relatives, deceased loved ones or in the memory of friends. They’re called “intentions” and usually Catholics offer a small donation. The I-Team has discovered some intentions are being farmed out to priests who are sex offenders; men banned from regular ministry- now paid to pray- and some of the faithful are not informed. The bells tolled on Father Donald O’Connor’s career in 2002, when he was terminated as Pastor of Assumption Parish here in Coal City.
These newly-obtained records from the Diocese of Joliet reveal church findings that O’Connor had sexually abused many boys in numerous parishes.
The priest was quoted once as saying “it’s better than shacking up with a woman.”
One of his victims committed suicide according to the diocese files.
But just one month after O’Connor was permanently removed from any public ministry, he was sent a letter from the diocese chancellor asking if he was “in need of mass stipends…just let us know the number you would need…and a check will be issued every three months.”
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Statement of the Diocese of Joliet
Re: Compensation to priests removed from ministry
May 13, 2013
The Diocese of Joliet does not provide compensation for any priest who is permanently removed from public ministry because of a credible or substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Any benefits these priests receive, such as a pension, are mandated by federal, state or canon law.
To assist with the spiritual needs of people, priests routinely offer Mass for specific intentions. Priests who are removed from public ministry because of sexual abuse of minors may not celebrate Mass in public, but they are not prohibited from doing so privately. Like all priests, they may offer a Mass for a specific person or cause, and they may receive the small stipend if one is offered, usually $10.
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