McCarrick and the Problems of Brotherhood

The report, more than 400 pages long, catalogues various reports made about McCarrick to Church officials, some of which were ignored, and documents in 2000, before McCarrick that three U.S. bishops lied to the Holy See about their knowledge of McCarrick’s misconduct before the former cardinal was appointed Archbishop of Washington.

- CNA

Although it has taken two years, I am glad to see that the Vatican has finally published their report - showing the failures of popes (and Saints), cardinals, and bishops to properly confront the sins of Mr. McCarrick (and presumably others).

Of course nearly every conspiracy theory revolves around this idea of a shadowy network of figures, secretly manipulating events in their favor. However, the report (NOTE: I have not read it, but several summaries of it) clearly indicates that several brother bishops covered up for Mr. McCarrick enabling him to be appointed Cardinal of Washington D.C.

But the report does say that on three occasions, prospective transfers of McCarrick to other U.S. dioceses were stopped: to Chicago in 1997, to New York in 1999 and 2000, and to Washington in July 2000. In November 2000, McCarrick's transfer to Washington was carried out.

So - what are we left with (besides the final nail in coffin of the increasingly loony Archbishop Vigano)?

We are left with an old boys network - which all institutions develop - but one within the Church of God to dismiss and protect a predator.

Hughes' letter dismissed the accounts of some priests who had reported to him being molested or abused by McCarrick, even when, in one case, a psychologist affirmed that the priest had been McCarrick's victim. Hughes noted moral lapses on the part of the priests accusing McCarrick while dismissing their claims against the archbishop.

In fact, the bishop's letter did not mention at all some incidents of sexual abuse or coercion that had been reported to him by Metuchen priests, according to the report.

Smith, who had been an auxiliary bishop in Newark, told the nuncio that “I have never heard anyone make a substantiated accusation of immoral behavior against Archbishop McCarrick nor have I any evidence of ‘serious moral weakness shown by Archbishop McCarrick.’”

But according to the report, Smith himself had in 1990 witnessed McCarrick groping the groin of a young cleric during a dinner with several officials from the Archdiocese of Newark. Smith's letter made no mention of that incident.

McHugh, then auxiliary bishop of Newark, was present at the same 1990 dinner and also saw the groping, but he wrote in his letter that he "never witnessed any improper behavior on the part of Archbishop McCarrick."

These men are accomplices.

Brotherhood is good and just. The Apostles developed one with Christ and it lead to the widespread evangelization of thousands the establishment of the One True Church.

In my own life, the brotherhoods that I have formed at Jesuit High School and Notre Dame have helped and supported me in good and bad times.

But when loyalty within the brotherhood overrides morality, justice, and our vocation; the devil has taken a just thing and perverted for the sake of pride, sin, and corruption.

I encourage and pray that our hierarchy will renew a commitment to their flocks, rather than their fellow shepherds; to see brotherhood as a tool rather than a good in itself.

I also pray for justice, for the survivors, and for our Church.