Monday, January 11, 2010

Archdiocese Evicts Six Priests from Regina Cleri

Many questions remain unanswered concerning the recent evictions of six priests from Regina Cleri by the Archdiocese of Boston, headed by Cardinal O'Malley.

Each of the evicted priests, whom I believe to be Fr. Paul Bolduc, Fr. Paul Tivnan, Fr. Jack Carroll, Fr. Raymond Plourde, Fr. Harold Johnson and Fr. Dick Johnson, had an allegation of sexual misconduct placed against them that had been investigated and found to be unsubstantiated, unfounded, without merit, the allegation was too old to be investigated (one accusations was over 50 years old) or they were exonerated and Canonically cleared. Most had been residing at Regina Cleri for 10 to 12 years.

Two of the priests, Fr. Paul Bolduc and Fr. Harold Johnson were gravely ill and dying at the time the Archdiocese told them they were being removed.

Priests in the diocese, parishioners and employees of Regina Cleri are shaken by the accounts of actions taken by the Archdiocese. Sources familiar with Fr. Bolduc's treatment tell me that shortly after Fr. Bolduc was apprised of his eviction, he had some kind of ministroke. He was rushed to Mass General Hospital and was subsequently placed on life support.

Informed sources are circulating reports to Boston diocesan clergy saying at some point shortly thereafter, the decision was made by the diocese to stop paying for Fr. Bolduc's life support. When the family was informed, Fr. Bolduc's sister (who lives in Florida) made arrangements to come up to Boston to manage the situation and asked that the life support not be removed until she arrived. Her request was denied and Fr. Bolduc died shortly before she arrived from Florida.

Several priests I spoke to asked whether Fr. Bolduc's circumstances rise to the level of euthanasia. Every one I spoke with certainly believes it rises to the level of cruelty.

Fr. Bolduc's Obituary: :


BOLDUC, Rev. Paul J. Dec. 29, formerly of Milton and Malden beloved brother of Lois M. Rooney and her husband Donald of Hampton, NH, Arthur J. Bolduc and his wife Nancy of Acton, ME. Uncle of Paul Rooney of Natick, Peter Rooney of Rowley, Patrick Rooney of Salisbury, Debra Gallagher of Methuen, Joseph Bolduc of Stoneham, and David Bolduc of Limerick, Maine. Fr. Bolduc was ordained in 1960 and served in St. Patrick Parish, Roxbury for 5 yrs, Immaculate Conception in Malden, for twelve years, St. Elizabeths Church in Milton for 10 years and served as Chaplain at Milton Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Childrens Hospital, Dana Farber Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Clinic and Brigham and Woman's Hospital, while he resided in St. Thomas Parish in Jamaica Plain and later in St. Anne in Readville. Visiting hours Sunday 2-6 in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave, Milton. Funeral Mass in St. Elizabeth's Church, Milton on Monday at 11:00 o'clock. Interment Mt. Calvaire Cemetery, Somersworth, NH. Father Paul Bolduc served God since he was ordained in 1960. Fr. Bolduc's family has taken on the responsibility of informing the public of his innocence in the matter of one accusation against him in 2001. After two years of investigation by the Archdiocese Review Board he was declared innocent of all charges and was returned to his public ministry without restriction. The Decree was dated July 22, 2003 and was signed by the Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon, D.D. Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Boston. The one allegation that was made against him could not be substantiated. At the time, Father Bolduc was prevented from proclaiming his innocence to the public or his peers. Father Bolduc's reputation was shattered and his life was changed forever. He forged on, always mindful of his mission in life. Due to this ordeal his health suffered greatly and continued to decline as time went on. Father Bolduc's family wishes to thank all his friends for standing by him and for all the support they gave him in his time of need. He was a dedicated holy man who had a true calling to the priesthood and who gave of himself completely and unconditionally. His family would also like to thank the nurses and staff at Regina Cleary residence, Boston for the excellent care they gave him. Chapman, Cole & Gleason Milton 617 696 6612


Another upset Boston priest told me that Fr. Tivnan and Fr. Plourde were packed up and taken to a facility in Canada (believed to be Southtown) to be warehoused. Upon their arrival, the facility told the diocese, the priests were "too old" to be admitted to the facility. On the way home, they were told there was no room at the inn at Regina Cleri.

Fr. Tivnan and Fr. Plourde are actually among the missing. Nobody seems to be able to obtain information on their whereabouts. One priest I spoke with said Boston clergy consider Cardinal O'Malley's administration to be so hostile/retalitory/punative - they're simply too scared to ask questions.

In the course of interviewing for the Regina Cleri story, several priests told me disconcerting things they've been too concerned about self-preservation to question or create a dust up.

It's also being reported to me that the diocese had suggested sending the men to a lockdown facility where convicted pedophiles and convicted sexually violent men are warehoused. Given these men thrived at Regina Cleri for over a decade, what exactly was the impetus for packing up 70 to almost 90 year old unsubstantiated accused/exonerated/falsely-accused priests and evicting them at this point in time? Some of them as they lay dying?


A May 2009 article in the Boston Globe gives somewhat of a heads-up regarding the anticipated bankruptcy of the clergy fund.

The Archdiocese of Boston, facing a clergy pension system that will run out of money in 2011 without a financial rescue, is now taking its first concrete steps to limit benefits and raise revenue to shore up the fund.

Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley has mailed to all priests a legalistic 17-page "decree of promulgation" that is raising concerns among some sick priests because it says that they will receive only 60 percent of their stipend, in addition to their healthcare coverage, if they are on health leave.

The policy affects only the 40 priests who are currently "unassigned" because they are sick, disabled, or on a leave of absence, but it signals the archdiocese's willingness to make difficult and unpopular decisions as it attempts to address its most serious financial challenge.

Two priests on health leave expressed concerns about the policy in separate interviews last week, but neither would allow his name to be used, citing fears that the archdiocese would limit their benefits.

"The archdiocese sees priests with health issues as a burden," said one of the priests. "It's clear they don't want us."

At the time of this blog entry, archdiocesan spokesperson Teri Donilon had not responded to my questions. I do have other people to field and will update any further details I obtain.

It's no secret I believe Cardinal O'Malley's administration is dishonest. I hate to say it, but over the course of the past few days, I've come to the realization I'm actually underestimating the situation.

I know I don't have to ask for prayers from my audience but I can't think of another way to close out the disheartening and demoralizing news.

***01.12.2009 ADDENDUM

Two developments today.

1. The Vicar General of the diocese, Richard Erickson was scheduled to attend a meeting at Regina Cleri with residents/staff who are in an uproar. As soon as I get news on how the meeting went, I'll post it.

2. An article in the Globe today reveals that "Bishop Accountability" wants Cardinal O'Malley and his wizards to publish information about the subset of priests who have an allegation of sexual abuse that proved to be unfounded, without merit or they were exonerated after an investigation and canonically restored - etc.

First of all, let me say up front, I don't have any bones to pick with Bishop Accountability about their conviction that the Bishops operating this diocese are dishonest and dishonorable. The kangaroo initiatives they've set up to protect children are about as safe for children as the Caritas shuttle vans leaving Caritas Hospitals with pregnant women heading for abortion clinics.

The problem with Bishops Accountability is that it consistently misrepresents factual information in far too many cases of an accusation to have any discernment or credibility. It's run by two people (Ann Barret Doyle and Terry McKiernan) making use of the situation to overthrow the heirarchy of the Roman Catholic Church to re-write the cathechism and Bible, of the people, by the people and for the people. They started out with Voice of the Faithful but even the VOTFers couldn't stand them.

More importantly, the situation at Regina Cleri is a perfect example of their deranged sense of totalitarian power. If you're ever accused of something criminal at work and neither the police nor your employer could find any credible evidence of it, these two dillies think they have they have authority to have you dragged out of a nursing home at 90 years old to have you incarcerated at a private facility.

These are not the kind of people you give the names and wherabouts of your employees.

In any event, it appears they asked Scott Brown and Martha Coakley to bully the Cardinal.

Last week, during a radio debate on WTKK, Martha Coakley and Scott Brown said they would call on Cardinal Sean O’Malley to release the names of all priests in the Archdiocese of Boston who were credibly accused of sexual abuse.

A week later, the candidates have yet to send a letter or make a phone call to the cardinal.

"Credible" turns out to be a key word. Martha Coakley herself found less than a handful of "credible" allegations. Furthermore, with the Fells Acre Daycare allegations, she's got problems of her own discerning credible allegations from hysteria. It's also alleged she deliberately fumbled an allegation in this case, as a political favor.

Once upon a time, Bishops and diocescan employees would cover up abuse. Now, the pendulum has swung the other way. They don't separate credible allegations from allegations without substance and merit.

They simply couldn't care less about anybody or anything concerned.

The last thing laity ought to be doing, is permitting Bishop Accountability and the dishonest and corrupt at the Boston Chancery to hand names and addresses to deranged vigilantes or unlawfully incarcerate men outside of the legal process.

This is a step up in the persecution of the Catholic Church.

So I spoke to the Rev. John Connolly, one of O’Malley’s aides, and he said the cardinal is committed to the principle of releasing the names. Although there are some remaining questions about due process, he said, the goal is to release them sometime this year.
Yeah, gentlemen, among other things, I'd say you've got some problems with due process.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers being sent up, Carol.

M

Anonymous said...

So much for the Year of the Priest. I'd like the Archdiocese to give an accounting of the Christmas Collection!

Anonymous said...

A very similar happening to the one in Seattle under a former spiteful meanie. Priests were told to move out of the presbyteries and buy condominiums that was all the pension they could expect. I was told by a priest of his conversation when he made it quite plain he would burn the church buildings down before he would move

Anonymous said...

His Eminence may think that "Throw the Bums Out in 2010" refers to the priests such as those, and you originally meant it to refer to incumbent corrupt politicians (a redundant phrase?), but in this case I think it should refer to any churchman (priest, bishop, or religious superior) who acts with such callousness.

Anonymous said...

The Joke goes one of the three things the Holy Spirit does not want to know is...how much there is in the Franciscan pension fund. I bet Fr O'Malley knows down to the last red cent he is going to get

Anonymous said...

1-24-09
THE MOST RECENT RCAB PLAN:

According to sources within CORPORATION SOLE OFFICES { RCAB or Pastoral Care Center):

They refer to this plan … as CLEARING THE DECKS ( a vague echo similar to the ‘final solution’) regarding the troublesome issue of priests’ stipends, insurance, alleged accusations etc etc …. bottom line MONEY !

The enforcers are the familiar suspects ….

Rev Tom Foley ‘86 … former V.F. and pastor of St Ann’s Neponset …
{Now ‘pastured’ by one Sean Connor 2001 , former ‘spec delegate’ delegate to S ’O’Malley + Rev. John Connolly ’94 { allegedly no longer in that office but now pastor of St. Brendan’s {a stone-throw from St. Ann’s where Fr. Connolly has chosen to reside with his former work--mate Fr. Sean Connor +Connolly keeps offices at St. Brendan’s + (it seems) at the Sole offices* … all a cozy arrangements of people engaged in Ecclesiastical Musical Offices … they all exchange positions and titles with Fr. Foley … ???? ENTER a new team-mate, Mr. Mark Dunderdale t’ … Mir Dunderdale is a resident of Marshfield, the birth-home of Fr. Connor who once seasonally POLICED the summer crowd before donning the priestly stole (once a policeman always a policeman??) … Mr. Dunderdale now conveniently adds CIVIL AUTHORITY to the Corp Sole* interests having formerly been an ADA from Plymouth (now civil authority house within the Church {Sounds like Poland before Solidarity) …. Causes one to question …
How many employers does Mir Dunderdale have or for that matter WHO is the ‘Master’ of any of the above … the scriptures warn :
“Man Can not serve two Masters” ______

All of the above is somewhat reminiscent of the old Abbot + Costello shtick of ‘who’s on first’ …

Back to “CLEAR THE DECKS”

According to this unnamed Corp source …
Priests are being visited and/or summoned for several possible reasons …

According to how the Cardinal’s people have categorized them …
* recently three who were so visted dropped dead … {Frs. Johnson, Bolduc + Thomson)

1) The Accused: All are being warned that once again all their names are being published in the ‘Media-Court’ viz., the Press … heads up or off ???

2) The Accused + disabled/retired :
Your next move is a secure facility (Where???) being built …

3) Some will be advised to seek laicization …


4)All will be informed that their insurance ect. sustenance $ will suffer some severe changes along with significant reduction in their monthly allowance

DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING JESUS WOULD DO ?

TTC said...

All I can say is, the process for the accused in the Catholic Church when somebody claims they suddenly remembers an incident after the statute of limitations ticks out does not have any process where the rights of the accused whereby the word "CREDIBLE" is applied.

In fact, I know several cases where the police did not find the allegations credible, there are witnesses disputing story of the alleged and/or verifying that the accuser is lying. In these cases, the Cardinal, who is responsible and accountable for the actions of the agents who act on his behalf, has acted negligently in his duties. To cover up the negligence, they abuse and disabuse the priests using threats, intimidation and orders of obedience to deny them the right to release the facts that vindicate them.

The diocese shuts off money so that the priest cannot hire a lawyer to defend himself and blackballs him.

This goes on for years.

The false accuser gets away scott free with the diocese protecting their identity and demanding the priest's silence.

Care must be taken so that victims are not intimidated from telling but we cannot let the diocese treat the innocent with the administrative cruelty they are currently free to deploy.

It is patently clear to anyone educated about what is going on behind the scenes of the diocese that they are still incapable of how to apply the word "credible" to allegations.

The lives and vocations of innocent priests are getting caught up into the jaws of the misfeasance and corruption.

I for one think it's half past time laity do something about it.

Anonymous said...

CAROL ...
MY BROTHER PRIESTS MUST STOP BEING AFRAID AND INTIMIDATED ... THEY TOO MUST TRUST IN GOD AND BE UNAFRAID (PS. 56 ) ... THEY TOO HAVE BEEN SILENT AS THEIR BROTHERS HAVE BEEN DRAGGED OFF ...

AGAIN THIS WEEK WE BURY ANOTHER ABUSED BY THE O'MALLEY PLAN ...
FR KEN LEBLANCE WILL RETURN TO HIS PARISH IN A COFFIN HAVING BEEN DRAGGED OUT MONTHS AGO BY AN "ALLEGATION".
HE, NO DOUBT, WILL REST IN PEACE ... IT IS MORE THAN CAN BE SAID FOR HIS ABUSERS IN THE RCAB!
PRIESTS AND PEOPLE DEFEND THE TRUTH AND AS NECESSARY, SEEK TO HEAL TRUE VICTIMS AND EVEN RECONCILE THE SINNER-OFFENDERS ... THAT'S WHAT JESUS WOULD DO !
A TERRIBLE CHALLENGE ... MOST DEFINITELY ... HOWEVER, GOD DEMANDS THE STRETCH.
GIO

Anonymous said...

Jesus forgave Mary Magdalen her many sins because she loved much. Those priests who have not been found guilty due to lack of substantial accusation should be forgiven, not cast aside and treated like scum.
The pendulum has swung too far. When will a happy medium take place?
Thank God that He is the ultimate judge.
Anonymous

Anonymous said...

I walked into my brother's room one day and found Fr. T*** and him involved in mutual masturbation. I told my mother and she slapped me for making up stories.

I knew my father and step-mother would beat me if I told them. (After all, they're the ones who invited him to sleep over every week in the extra bed in my brother's room... even though the rectory was no more than three miles from my home.) Sometimes I wonder if they intentionally served him up, like it was normal.

In any case, I would hope that all child molestors are the second most tortured souls in Hell - with the most horrifically tortured being everyone in the Catholic church who covered up so much physical and sexual abuse for so long.

It's time to confess, admit your wrongs openly, and make pennance. If not, then when Satan comes we'll all be like, "Big deal. He may be evil but he's not Roman Catholic evil."

TTC said...

May Jesus Mercy.

I'm very sorry to read about your pain. There is a sick, almost cultish culture inside of the Church that manifests itself in many ways.

Please know there are many people of good faith who despise it, try to work to change it. It has been an exercise in futility. The people in the pews are almost worse than the people in the Chancery.

Most of us who have take justice seriously have cut off the money, are just coming and going obtaining the Sacraments. There are a couple of handfuls of good priests (and this number is growing).

It isn't very politically correct to say, but it needs to be said for the sake of truth:

The 100% of the blame for the cover up of sexual abuse belong to the parents. When the abuse is in the Church, they had a partner. When the abuse is a family member, they are out of excuses.

Instead of slapping you, your parents should have investigated and called the police.

I really don't know if parents have changed. I hope so.

Anonymous said...

The lavender mafia within the hierarchy, who welcomed homosexual abusers as clerics, have much to answer for. Happily,disturbed homosexuals are now screened from seminaries.

BREATHNACH

Anonymous said...

FatherTi**** turned both of my brothers gay. May God have mercy on his soul!

Steve said...

I like by Regina Cleri and contacted the church because I was concerned there was pedophiles there. It is located right next to a pre-school so I had grave concerns about why so many priests would be living right next to small children.

I contact the diocese and an asswhole wrote back that none of the priests in Boston was ever accused of being a pedophile. Obviously this is not true. I'm glad to know that the diocese did something about this a few years ago. It is still deeply concerning that more pedophiles might be there, living next to small children, but this is a good start.