There’s an interesting letter to the editor in today’s New York Newsday. It’s by James Krug, president of the local chapter of the Catholic League on Long Island, New York.
After a seven-month-long investigation of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon has found that no allegations of sexual misconduct have occurred under Bishop William Murphy’s tenure. For this, senior officials of Voice of the Faithful have condemned Dillon, accusing him of “endorsing” the bishop, which he in no way did [“Misplaced Support,” Letters, Jan. 6]. Furthermore, they note that, “it can take victims years, or even decades, to reveal abuse.” By this ludicrous reasoning, Dillon should continue investigating for several decades at least.
I suspect the letter writers are bitterly disappointed that Bishop Murphy will not be in trouble with the law, which reveals more about the real aims of Voice of the Faithful than their constantly repeated claims to be “centrist.”
VOTF once again shows itself to be out of touch. A prosecutor does his legal duty and all they can do is complain that they didn’t get the result they wanted. Just as the raison d’etre of VOTF in Boston was to remove Cardinal Law from office and assert their own power, it seems that motive has trickled down into subsidiary chapters of the group.
By saying there is no evidence of abuse occuring during Murphy’s brief tenure in Rockville, the prosecutor is not saying that there can never be charges brought or another investigation started. And it’s certainly not an endorsement. He’s just saying there’s no evidence.
It’s interesting that wherever VOTF chapters spring up, it seems their motivation is opposition, whether to a bishop or a pastor or just anyone who doesn’t see things their way. When a group only stands against something and not for something, it tends to have a very short life.
