Press Release: CATHOLIC BISHOP PUNISHED FOR SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF CLERGY SEX ABUSE; CATHOLICS PROTEST

Press Contacts:
Nicole Sotelo, Call To Action Acting Co-Director
773.404.0004 x285 (office) 857.928.4112 (cell)
Mary Black, Parishioner of St. Leo’s Parish, 248.644.4479
Fr. Norm Thomas, Priest in Detroit Archdiocese, 313.831.1356

February 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CATHOLIC BISHOP PUNISHED FOR SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF CLERGY SEX ABUSE; CATHOLICS PROTEST

Catholic Bishop Thomas Gumbleton has been removed from formal ministry as pastor of St. Leo’s Church by the Vatican and Detroit’s Cardinal Maida as punishment for speaking on behalf of victims of clergy sexual abuse. Bishop Gumbleton, himself a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, was removed because he broke rank with Bishops in Ohio last year when he testified in support of legislation that would assist abuse survivors, rather than siding with his fellow bishops.

Cardinal Maida is saying that Gumbleton’s removal follows clergy protocol for retirement at the age of 75. However, many clergy have been permitted to continue their ministry in Detroit for many years after turning 75. In fact, Cardinal Maida himself is beyond retirement age and yet the Vatican has not accepted his retirement; allowing him to continue ministry.

“There is a double standard in the church when it comes to retirement. For example, the Vatican gave a ministerial promotion at retirement to Cardinal Law of Boston who had harbored pedophile priests,� says Mary Black, parishioner of St. Leo’s church where Gumbleton served as pastor. “Whereas at Bishop Gumbleton’s retirement, the Vatican and Cardinal Maida have thrown him out of his parish home for speaking up for the victims of sexual abuse. Why is he punished for speaking out for justice when not one bishop responsible for the sexual abuse crisis has been reprimanded?�

Bishop Gumbleton is internationally-known for his peace advocacy in Iraq and Colombia. He helped found Pax Christi, the Catholic peace movement, and is a supporter of Call To Action. He is well-known in the church for his support of the poor, people of color, women and gays.

In response to Bishop Gumbleton’s removal, Catholics across the country have risen up to protest the actions by Cardinal Maida and the Vatican. Last week, local Catholics successfully raised funds nationally for four protest ads that are running in Michigan’s newspapers this week. Today, Catholics are launching a national call-in week to the Detroit Cardinal’s office.

“As Catholics, we have to go the extra mile to have our voices heard by the church hierarchy because there are no channels for formal dialogue,� says Nicole Sotelo, Call To Action Acting Co-Director, a national Catholic organization working for justice in the church. “Parishioners were not consulted about the removal of Bishop Gumbleton and have had no input as to who the next pastor may be. They have been writing letters to the Cardinal but have only received form letters in reply.

“The Catholic Church calls for justice in the world but stops short when it comes to justice within its own doors,� says Sotelo. “Bishop Gumbleton is a prophet for peace and justice in our day and his removal is a sad reminder of Jesus’ words, ‘Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor’� (Matthew 13:57).