Church officials using health excuses to disguise criminal behavior?
I feel sorry for priests who resign or take a leave for health or personal reasons. Most of them, I’m sure, are honest when they say and do this. But many of them, I’m also sure, do so under a huge cloud of suspicion. The blame for that falls squarely on the shoulders of their deceptive bishops.
A Connecticut priest used that phrase – resigning “for health and personal reasons” back in 2011. Now, he’s been arrested on drug charges. And his Catholic supervisors allegedly knew that he engaged in bizarre sex acts in the church rectory.
According to the CT Post:
"But sources knowledgeable with the case said the situation with Msgr. Kevin Wallin went deeper than diocese officials will publicly admit.
While pastor of St. Augustine's, sources said he often disappeared for days at a time, and rectory personnel became concerned and notified diocese officials when Wallin, sometimes dressed as a woman, would entertain odd-looking men (some who were also dressed in women's clothing) and engaging in sex acts.
In addition, diocese officials found bizarre sex toys in Wallin's residence, the sources said."
We’ve seen this happen over and over and over. A priest steps down for vague reasons. Later, it emerges that the resignation stemmed from sexual misdeeds.
Many priests must get ill. They must struggle with addictions. They must have family issues, like ailing parents. All of these are, of course, perfectly legitimate reasons to leave one’s job.
Sadly, it must be hard for priests to do this now, knowing that bishops’ long pattern of deception means many will question whether the reasons given are true or false.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
Showing 10 comments
That’s a joke; as a ex-member of of a religious order I know RCC Inc.has been using that one for decades.
This so called church has no authority over the “people of God” as they are not an ediface a place or anbut a spirituality given only by God.