Bishop D’Arcy examines Boston scandal
January 04, 2012
In an interview with the National Catholic Register Bishop John D’Arcy--a former Boston auxiliary bishop (1975-85) who served as Bishop of Fort Wayne - South Bend from 1985 to 2009--examined the clerical abuse scandal in Boston.
“Bishop D’Arcy would emerge as an uncommon hero as the clergy abuse scandal unfolded in the media,” the Register recounted. “While the published personnel files of the Boston Archdiocese exposed a legacy of episcopal negligence, Bishop D’Arcy’s repeated efforts to raise the alarm would lead the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People to describe him as a ‘voice in the wilderness.’”
In particular, Bishop D’Arcy, citing the notorious Father John Geoghan’s “history of homosexual involvement with young boys,” recommended unsuccessfully that the priest not be returned to parish ministry.
“Episcopal human judgment--not infallible, but enlightened by grace--was put aside,” says Bishop D’Arcy. “In the past, I have been advised that certain priests could be returned to ministry and I rejected that counsel. I knew it was outrageous.”
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