NEW YORK
Religion News Service
David Gibson | October 6, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) The Rev. Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan priest whose long beard, gray robes, prolific writings and often controversial views made him a distinctive and popular presence in Catholic media, died Friday (Oct. 3) at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa, N.J.
Groeschel was 81 and had been in declining health.
Grosechel had been out of the spotlight since 2012 when he made controversial comments that blamed some victims of sexual abuse by priests for inviting the molestation.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Fr. Benedict but also relieved that God has set him free from the physical and mental suffering he has experienced over the past decade,” the New York-based community he helped found, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, said in a statement. …
In August 2012, Groeschel sparked a firestorm when he gave an interview saying priests who sexually abuse children “on their first offense” should not go to jail and that the child is often “the seducer.” He also expressed sympathy for Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach who was convicted that year of 45 counts of child sexual abuse.
A spokesman for New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a longtime friend of Groeschel’s, denounced the remarks. The newspaper that ran the interview, the National Catholic Register, which is an EWTN affiliate, removed the piece and replaced it with an apology.
Groeschel himself also apologized, as did the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Groeschel also gave up his EWTN appearances. “At some point you have to take the car keys away from grandpa,” the Rev. Glenn Sudano, a spokesman for the friars, said at the time.
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