Questions raised about McElroy's response to 2016 McCarrick allegations

[Cathoholic]

I did a little review of the late Richard Sipe.

From Wiki . . .

(Richard Sipe) . . . . was an American Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor trained specifically[2] to deal with the mental health problems of Roman Catholic priests. He practiced psychotherapy, “taught on the faculties of Major Catholic Seminaries and colleges, lectured in medical schools, and served as a consultant and expert witness in both civil and criminal cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests”. During his training and therapies, he conducted a 25-year ethnographic study published in 1990 about the sexual behavior of supposed celibates, in which he found more than half were involved in sexual relationships. In 1970, after receiving a dispensation from his vows as a priest, Sipe married a former nun, Marianne; they have one son together.[3]

Sipe was a witness in more than 57 lawsuits, testifying on behalf of victims of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

Given the history of Sipe and the fact that Sipe had been working in Seminaries, I am surprised Bishop McElroy did not give him carte blanche as soon as Sipe wanted to meet concerning clergy predation the very first time Sipe approached him.

 

[Annie]

Wow, priests who left the priesthood to marry… in the middle of what we now know was a period during which there was a lot of sexual activity among priests and seminarians, including lots of homosexual activity, and predatory activity,…

Maybe the reason they left was in disgust over what was happening happening in the priesthood?

Maybe Richard Sipe was not some sort of publicity-hound but a man on a mission to clear the predation and corrupt covering-up which we are all concerned about now?

 

[Annie]

I think he used hired the process server outside of any legal proceedings, just to get the letter to the bishop.

 

[Annie]

In a large administrative office, one could not be sure the correct person received the letter even if it was registered and return -receipt-requested. All you would have is that the office received it, not the bishop himself.

Plausible deniability for the bishop.

 

[Mtatum1958]

Wow, priests who left the priesthood to marry…

Not unheard of, but I’m sure it isn’t very common. It can be done in line with the church and without scandal. I have no interest it this case, but would not assume it was improper.

 

[Annie]

Back in the 1960s and 70s, there were a lot of priests who left the priesthood. At the time, the assumption was that they wanted to marry, but I am now wondering if they might not have had some knowledge of this scandalous situation.

 

[13pollitos]

Richard Sipe worked at a seminary and counseled priests.

 

[Dovekin]

I am surprised Bishop McElroy did not give him carte blanche as soon as Sipe wanted to meet concerning clergy predation the very first time Sipe approached him.

Didn’t he? They had ““two long, substantive, cordial and frank discussions.” What more do you want from him?

The discussions apparently broke down because Sipe continued to accuse two people that McElroy knew had been investigated and cleared. When he bishop asked for documentation about them, Sipe said he could not provide it to him.

It was at that point that Sipe turned to the process server and the relationship soured. I suspect most other bishops in this country would never have met with Sipe. McElroy deserves praise, not to have “questions raised.”

Sipe was a good man, and did some wonderful work investigating the clerical sex abuse scandals. I am sorry to hear of his death and hope that he is happy in heaven, rewarded for his labors.