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Bishop Patrick McGrath appeared at Sunday Mass in black clerical suit and collar and told the congregation before the service began that he takes full responsibility, though he didn't say who made the ultimate decision.
"I pledge to you I will do everything in my power to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
In an open letter sent on Saturday to parishioners at Saint Frances Cabrini, McGrath said the chain of events that allowed Mark Gurries to volunteer at the parish festival on Oct. 6 “is still a matter of continuing investigation on the diocesan level.”
Bur he called the decision “a mistake” and a clear violation of diocese policy.
“Our policy is clear: No one who has been found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult can be hired as an employee or allowed to volunteer in any activity that involves children, young people, or vulnerable adults,” the bishop wrote.
“I am deeply troubled and I apologize to you that this policy was not followed. The actions of parents at the festival who enlisted the services of the sheriff’s deputy are to be commended.”
Gurries, 51, was convicted two years ago of lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor under 14 years old. He served nearly a year in county jail and remains on probation, according to the Mercury News.
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The newspaper said that under California law, registered sex offenders may be allowed on school grounds if they have written permission from the school's chief administrative official. The school principal has said that no one from the school administration had given permission. However, the parish priest, the Rev. Lieu Vu, told parents at the festival that Gurries had a letter giving him permission, according to the Mercury News.
Diocesan officials have not said who wrote the letter and whether it was authorized by the bishop.
A group of angry parents recognized Gurries at the festival and argued vehemently with the parish priest until Gurries was escorted off campus by a sheriff's deputy, according to the Mercury News. Gurries was not arrested and no one was harmed.
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His being there should have been a violation of his supervision, no matter if he had permission from the Bishop. I hope he lands back in jail! He is still trying to be around children.
I agree, he volunteered for this and it wouldn't surprise me if the letter he had was of his own making. Why are we allowing pedophiles anywhere near children? There shouldn't be such a thing as a letter from a school principle or anyone (not even a judge) to allow such a thing. Once he was convicted he should lose all access to children and there should be a mandatory 100 yard distance between him and any child. I worked on a lot of schools in California and new a scumbag that worked in the same company I did but when it came to him working on the schools he wasn't allowed. He was not allowed to even step foot on school grounds. Why was this pedophile? Where was the Principle and why aren't he/she being held accountable for this? I want my children protected at all times and this to me is one of those times someone should lose their job over. Protect our children before something bad happens!
Here here! If purposefully volunteering at a location that caters to children isn't a probation violation then I don't know what is. I was born and raised in CA, but sometimes our sentencing laws are a joke.
Hello folks, you know what they say birds of a feather flock together. Religion is just another method of controlling the masses all the while they steal your money and your children’s innocence. The sexual abuse that has been perpetrated by the Catholic Church on tens of thousands of innocent children is on a scale that lends itself so that even the casual observer has to wonder if it is an accepted ritual within the church. Many people come to the defense of the church stating that it is the celibate role that has lent itself to the wide spread abuse. If so, why are the majority of victims boys?
A study done by The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect found that even though only 25% of citizens in the U.S. are Roman Catholic, 54% of the sexual abuse cases were perpetrated by Catholic priests. The church has paid at least 2.6 billion to settle sexual abuse cases. In 2007 alone the Los Angeles Archdiocese on July 15 announced the largest church settlement of sexual abuse lawsuits to date, agreeing to pay more than 500 alleged victims a total of $660 million. The abuse continues and the wealthy Vatican is easily able to cover these claims. The Vatican even has insurance policies to cover these operating costs.
The minor victims of priest abuse are overwhelmingly boys and teenagers, which is
contrary to the pattern of abuse in the general population.
The problem is not just with the number of priests who molests young children, but in
a Vatican power structure which harbors and conceals pedophiles, hides other
sexual behavior patterns among its clerics and uses the strategies of duplicity
and counterattack against the victims.
Why is it that in most countries the Catholic Church doesn’t have to abide by the same laws that apply to other pedophiles and rapists? And why don’t Catholics see this atrocity as an integral part of their church?
Pedophile priests have molested innocent children in the Roman Catholic Church probably since the beginning of the church. These pedophiles have been protected and their horrendous crimes against children have gone unpunished. It is amazing to me that there are over a billion Catholics. I guess acceptance of pedophilia in the church is the cost of salvation!
anyone else shocked that he only received a year in jail to begin with?
what is wrong with us, collectively, that we let this continue?
it's a good thing I dont have kids. if anyone EVER abused my child sexually, they wouldnt be living and breathing anymore. and thats not just talk, thats straight up truth. you'd have to toss me in jail if I ever find out one of my nieces or nephews have been harmed like that.
physical and emotional abuse is just as bad, but sexual abuse is different...it's got a special way of killing a childs soul.
Oh, Mr. Bishop. I am SO SORRY we YANKED the ENTIRE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S TAX EXEMPTION and sent the entire stinking, pedophile lot of you BACK TO Rome.
So sorry. So sorry...
Sputter, sputter, cough...
You commenters are talking about the PEDOPHILE, not the BISHOP? Their are pedophile among us, sure, but when the BISHOP WRITES A LETTER saying it is OK for the KNOWN PEDOPHILE to be among children, DON'T BLAME THE PEDOPHILE. BLAME THE BISHOP!!!!!
That's okay bishop, for knowingly allowing a pedophile in the same proximity of children, your butt is fired. And, you're going to jail to boot! By your own admission of guilt, you're an accessory to the crime. I guess you missed that one didn't you, numb-nuts!
The bishop can only be "fired" by the Vatican. I promise you with certainty, he will not be fired. None of the hierarchy who have enabled and covered up for perpetrators have been "fired" and he won't either.
So... fathers and bishops are not "employees"?
what a rotten religion, same with pretty much anything that came out of Europe.
The bishop was not directly involved according to the article. Did anyone read the article?
takenaka,
As always... you're missing the point.
markl323 : What an ignorant statement ! You sound like such a douchebag...
Why don't they just pray for god to protect them??? Doesn't praying work??? Now that I think of it, why didn't god talk to the bishop and say "dude, he's a danger to the children." Seriously, there's no f'n god!
Why in all that is holy even make this a law???? And who in their right mind would ever allow such a disturbed and disgusting person to be allowed such permission?
If the bishop is to blame, then there should be some recourse for his actions. This mistake is not okay!
Nothing surprising here except lack of denial....next...
The priest was just trying to give a helping hand to one of his fellow molesters, isn't it painfully obvious by now that the Catholic Church doesn't give a damn about the safety of your children?
Was was the preist arguing with parents who knew this man was a child molester? What was his argument and since when do we totally ignore the pleas of parents trying to protect their children to the point where they have to go over your head and call police? The Catholic Church is a true embarressment!!!!!!
learn to spell
I think people should read the article before commenting. Angry people whose comprehension is as bad as their spelling.
He's sorry???? Oh, as a parent, that would make me feel SOOO much better...NOT! Damn him to hell.
So why not pull your children out of that place and realize that you are not going to change their habits ! Quit supporting that church ! You have power, use it..
I am serious - what is it with the Catholic church and child rapists? I mean, it makes you wonder why they have such love for the children and disdain for women who are pro-choice --- apparently, they are pro-life so that the world can be filled with children for their pleasure - sick!
Yet, these same people get on a high horse when it comes to politics --- I say that the Obama administration should go after them with Rico laws as was used for organized crime, if this isn't organized crime I don't know what is. Passing priest around, etc - I bet that the reason this child rapist was allowed to be there was because the priest sympathized with his acts and desires, they related to him, sick sick sick
Kinda like the scouts hunh..
What? It is not like he was gay or performed an abortion or anything!!! That would be heinous. This is just a misunderstanding.
It surely seems that the Catholic Bishops have entirely lost their perspective. The nuns, on the other hand, are speaking out against economic injustice and are doing a great service.
Step aside, old white guys. Let someone who cares, really cares take over.
Most places a Parole Violation will get ya 5 years, but this is CA so what will happen is he will get "help" yet one more time,.... on the taxpayers dime of course, .... and then be released in a couple months when he is once again pronounced miraculously "cured" and "no longer a danger to society "and a short time later the good citizens will once more be "shocked" when it happens over again.
So once again CA...i ask you ..do you understand yet why you are broke? Treatment does not work, quit B.S. ing yourself. a .22 bullet cost's about 10 cents.and will work wonders when administered to the back of the head. It is the only tried and true method of curing this kind of scum.... ....but its not just there, this crap happens EVERYWHERE...and shall continue until we ALL get together and not just say no...but SCREAM oh HELL NO !!!!!!
Your typical white male perverted child-molesting catholics...
pbshort : very ignorant and shortsighted statement. This happens in other religions too. I knew somebody from pakistan, and the abuse of boys is widespread in madrasas, so apparently it's not just "catholic white males".
The church is investigating further, which tells us already they'll have an official disposition that washes their hands of any responsibility. The Catholic church's problem of sexual deviancy is a result of their own failed policies. They're attempting to deflect this blame by claiming that homosexuality is the cause, and this is completely false, and this lie is propagated straight from their pope. Until they realize that this ploy of vilifying homosexuals is totally off-base, the clash between their beliefs and common sense will only get worse.
This piece of @!$%#E needs to be flogged publicly one:
1) For taking the heat or whomever made the decision
2) knowing it was going to happen in advance
3) having a stupid smug look on his profile page
Of course you mean, dignified and cool look.
So, I guess by extension it's OK for rapists to be employed or volunteer, since the victims don't fall into any of those categories.
Geez.
I think a rape victim would be categorized as a vulnerable adult. Physically vulnerable (weaker than the attacker) is just as valid as emotionally vulnerable (easily manipulated/seduced).
Enough, this is from a ND website, but I think the definition in most, if not all, states is similar:
"A vulnerable adult is any person older than age 18, or emancipated by marriage that has a substantial mental or functional impairment." ()
So, no, just being physically weaker doesn't make someone a vulnerable adult.
I still don't think they meant to exclude perpetrators of rape on non-mentally impaired victims. Perhaps that rule was the one quoted because it is the one that applies to THIS situation, not because it is the only rule they have concerning persons convicted of sex crimes.
are we talking LEGITIMATE RAPE?
sorry, I just couldnt refrain.
No, that's the Mormons moron. You can only legitimately rape someone if you manipulate them into marriage by promising to save their entire families into heaven if they will marry you.
What's the legal age of consent again?
How many spires are on the Salt Lake City Temple?
A Catholic organization allowed a convicted pedophile access to children? Why is anyone surprised? They've been doing this for hundreds of years (at least).
Gotta love the Catholic church... gay marriages are bad for families but child molesters must be protected!
Unbelievable how clueless people can be. Who wrote the letter? Who at the school knew that he was a convicted child predator? Even if they thought to themselves "I'll have an eye on him every second that he's here," it still gives him an opportunity to try to groom his next set of victims.
And as other people have pointed out, this should be a violation of the terms of his sentence as well.
Other reports make it seem like the parish priest attempted to convince the law enforcment officers not to take the guy away.
If true,, Once again the Catholic Church makes it clear that pedophiles are more important than children.
A year. Wow. That's a long time. Probably learned his lesson.
Oh wait! He was violating his probation by participating in this event with children. Maybe a year didn't teach him any respect or consideration for the law or his potential victims.
i'd find the bishop more believable if he had said it was "an incorrect choice" instead of “an unfortunate circumstance.” he makes it sound like: oops, it just happened that way.
Perhaps the Bishop hadn't gotten word of the problems "The Church" has had with child molestation within its own ranks.... I mean, it's only San Jose, Calif... perhaps he hadn't heard.... But I'm sure he's out there preaching the woes of same sex marriage, and of course, the evils of a woman having a choice in her health matters.
That's probably the reason. Probably missed those headlines in the newspaper.
When will we finally wake up and get rid of the pedophile institution that is the catholic church. Damn you catholics are stupid. I am so glad I woke up when I was 10 years old.
The Catholic Church never provides information about its rape/sex crimes unless forced to by secular authorities. Just think about that.
And I guarantee that if you visit Catholic forums you will find instances, if not the norm, of Catholic faithful twisting their brains to find ways to defend this organization and its leaders time and time again.
It's not unlike Stockholm syndrome.
Strangely enough the law requires reporting all incidents. The Bible the last time I read it requires you to obey the law of the land in which you live, not circumvent it in the name of forgiveness while depriving victims of the right to justice and promote further victimization of other people. Last time I checked according to the Bible the process goes like this. Justice, punishment, abandonment of the behavior completely, and then forgiveness. Not forgiveness, toss justice and punishment out the window.
Obedience to the law and the magistrates charged with enforcing that law is a tenet of the Christian faith.
I mean Solomon in the Bible lost his mind for a few years due to disobedience. His suffering served the demands of justice. He wasn't transferred to another parish quietly in the name of forgiveness. How would he learn from his mistakes if there was no suffering, justice, or punishment.
The Bible is a Piece of C--p that should be Banned in the U.S. and other countries. Religion is the curse of Mankind. Want to Pray? Pray to that lamp post in front of your house, you will get the same result, only at night the lamp post will give you some light.
I agree that the bible is a dangerous book (so is the Koran) but I wouldn't ban it. I would not have it accessible to children, however. Why not? It's not a moral book in terms of justice or love. And it promotes the nonsensical idea of believing things without evidence.
But like it or not, the bible is part of Western Civilization and in a proper context, it's a valuable insight into our primitive past.
I wouldnt worry to much about the child molester, what I am concerned about is the cover ups in the Catholic church. You talk about Pedophiles, the Catholic church and the pope had better look in the mirror. I wouldnt allow my children to ever go to anything run by the catholics.
You'd better add Boy Scouts and many public schools to that list. You can't just sit back and think it's only the Catholic Church that has had cover ups. Parents have to look at all organizations.
How long did the guy working for ICE get for child porn? 6 years. He wasn't even a molester as I read the article. Probably a good guess if the guy from ICE downloaded child porn but never molested anyone that he was a victim of sexual assault.
I wonder if this 14 year old this guy molested develops an interest in felony internet downloading of illegal sexual material how many years he will get.
If he were a priest, of course, he not only would not have been excommunicated, he WOULD be allowed to continue working with kids, as has happened hundreds of times, and continues to happen today all over the world.
I'm sure he has one or two on staff...
Child molesters should have a big "M" tatooed on their forehead.
FromtheFort, Make that "MF"
1 vote spammer. I'd give you more votes but its spam.