AT LAST! A BISHOP WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF THE VIRTUE OF FORTITUDE. THE EXTORTION RACKET HAS BEEN TOO MUCH A PART OF THE PEDOPHILIA SCANDAL

Photo of Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.



For too long the scandal of the sexual abuse of minors by individuals holding an official assignment in the Roman Catholic Church has been characterized by extortion practiced by unscrupulous trial attorneys who seek to milk every penny out of a diocese through alleged cases of sexual abuse. I am not talking about legitimate complaints against the Church where the evidence clearly establishes the guilt of person accused of the sexual abuse. I am talking about the many cases where there is more than a presumption, even clear evidence, of the innocence of the accused. Yet these unscrupulous lawyers and their greedy clients play their cards hoping at least that the insurance company insuring the Church will pay up a handsome settlement in order to avoid the expense of a court trial.

Too many bishops, it seems to me, have rolled over and played dead at the first word of a accusation. In too many cases innocent priests and others have been made to suffer grave injustices without ever being given a chance to defend themselves. Too many bishops have rushed to agree to large settlements to avoid further bad publicity. The result has been the bankruptcy of some dioceses.

Last weekend Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois,
caused his letter to be read in all of the parishes of the Diocese in which he threw down the gauntlet by declaring that he would not be coerced into paying out Diocesan funds for any and all accusations against Diocesan personnel where there is reasonable doubt as to guilt.

I say "Bravo, Bishop Jenky!"

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The following letter was read in churches throughout the Peoria Diocese over the weekend:

MOST REV. DANIEL R. JENKY, C.S.C.

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

DIOCESE OF PEORIA OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

607 N.E. MADISON AVENUE

PEORIA, ILLINOIS 61603

PHONE: 309-671-1564

FAX: 309-671-5079

February 7-8, 2009

Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria,

My greatest responsibility as your bishop is to preach the Gospel, celebrate the Sacraments, and to try my best to be a good shepherd for this local church. The saddest part of my ministry has been to deal with our part of the immense societal issue of sexual misconduct with minors. Where there have been credible accusations made against individuals and with the advice of my Review Commission, I have not hesitated to remove them from all active ministry. I have also tried to attentively follow the charter adopted by the American bishops that deals in a comprehensive manner with this painful subject. I have not discovered any evidence in this Diocese that priests guilty of misconduct were ever moved from assignment to assignment. Our Diocese normally offers counseling to victims rather than paying out large cash settlements. Not every allegation has been found to be credible by our Review Commission, and so our Diocese resists supporting those claims that simply cannot be sustained by the facts. I take very seriously my responsibility to protect all the children entrusted to our care, and I am absolutely convinced that today the programs of our Church now provide the safest possible environment in America for your children.

In these perilous economic times, I will work to be a prudent steward of the money you offer for the work of Christ. Attorneys representing some claimants and some "victims groups" obviously have a significant financial stake in trying to overturn our Diocesan policies. Recent decisions in the Illinois courts may make our legal situation even more difficult in the future. It should be noted that the sexual abuse of minors cuts across all socio-economic lines, ethnicities, ministries, and religions. It is important to remember that the State basically exempts its own institutions from civil litigation. Amid all the tensions of our nation's culture wars and in the face of the media's intense hatred for our Catholic Faith, I am increasingly concerned that our Church in effect no longer enjoys equal justice under the law. I will not be intimidated by choreographed demonstrations or the abuse that is sometimes personally directed against me. I remain immensely proud of the zealous and holy priesthood of our Diocese. May God guide and protect his Holy Church and bless us all in his service.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
BISHOP OF PEORIA