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A support group for embattled Orange diocese Monsignor John Urell isn't even a day old, and already site administrators are deleting messages critical of Urell and his peers' handling of the diocese's sex-abuse scandal. You won't know this from reading their website, of course: they deleted the messages, silly! But this trusty reporter has three of them for you, after the jump:
One can only wonder what flavor Kool-Aid these people are drinking.
Posted by: hrh | October 10, 2007 at 01:39 PM
For daily vetted coverage of most aspects of the ongoing sexual abuse scandal in the global Roman Catholic Church, we recommend for FREE:
www.bishop-accountability.org/abusetracker
Respectfully submitted,
Russ Bianchi
Lay Member of the Diocese of Monterey, CA
Posted by: Russ Bianchi | October 10, 2007 at 02:24 PM
Creepy letter and comments. Almost like there's no awareness of the painful losses that resulted from the Orange County Diocese's cover-ups. Like there's no awareness that the diocese attorneys resorted to the old-fashioned "she was asking for it" routine regarding a 15 year old girl.
Gross.
Posted by: Sarah | October 10, 2007 at 02:26 PM
It's their website, of course, so the Friends of Monsignor John can do whatever they want with comments, especially in light of their professed reason to "offer some comfort to Monsignor Urell as he struggles with severe anxiety." But why delete a reference to Bishop Accountability, the country's premier tracker of stories associated with the Catholic sex abuse scandal and one that linked to your own group? Feel free to leave your comments here--we welcome all!
**UPDATE: As faithful reader El Serrach notes below, Ryan DiMaria--a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of an Orange diocese priest and now an associate of John Manly, who recently won four civil suits against the Orange diocese--left a message on the Friends of Monsignor John website. Let's see how long it lasts...
**UPDATE: And DiMaria's thoughtful comment is wiped off!
**UPDATE: DiMaria and others have left comments, and their comments were deleted. If anyone sees a comment on the Friends site that criticizes Urell, please post it here as well to keep a running track. Here are two more:
I was absolutely polite, respectful, and did not make any personal
attack other than stating facts which I witnessed first hand. Why did
you remove my comment. Respectfully, are you too afraid to consider
facts that may be uncomfortable to you.
I respect your opinion. It is unfortunate that you are not secure
enough in it to let your other members see what I had posted.
Posted by: M. Ryan DiMaria | October 10, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Forgiving John Urell and holding him accountable are two different
things. Urell did a lot of terrible things to many victims, their
families and to the general public by allowing sexual predators to
roam freely, where they re- and re- and re- and re-offended.
And then, he lied about it.
This is not about forgiveness, this is about accountability. Simply
because he's a "nice guy" doesn't mean that he should sail away off
into the sunset, while thousands of victims lay bleeding in his wake.
Forgive him all you want, and then, make him pay for his crimes.
What if it were your child he allowed to be abused?
Posted by: Avid Reader | October 10, 2007 at 04:02 PM
October 10, 2007 15:33
before (if) it is taken down, i saved it for ya'll
October 10, 2007 15:43
should i have apostrophized BEFORE the A?
methinks, yes.
October 10, 2007 15:55
Showing public support of Mon. John Urell is very admirable. BUT, have the "Friends of Mon. John Urell" thought of a website that would show public support for the victims of sex abuse crimes and their families? NEVER!
A word of advice… now that the Diocese of Orange is low on funds, ALL INDIVIDUALS should proceed with caution when posting on the new website.
It would be just like the Diocese of Orange attorneys to look for ways to sue individuals for defamation and slanderous posts. Remember, this would not be a new thing for the Diocese of Orange. Mon. Lawrence Baird sued Lori Haigh after she spoke out about sex abuse crimes committed against her.
And, if the Diocese of Orange can pay Jeffrey Andrade, AN ADMITTED SEXUAL PREDATOR, $100,000 to drop his defamation lawsuit against the Diocese of Orange, the Diocese of Orange attorneys could raise lots of money on behalf of the Diocese of Orange by suing individuals posting defamation comments regarding Mon. Urell and/or the Diocese of Orange and/or St. Peter Callahan and/or St. Maria Schinderle.
For those still believing that the website, "Friends of Mon. John Urell," is for showing public support of Mon. Urell, THINK AGAIN! This website is most likely the latest PR fundraising tool that will set up unsuspecting individuals for defamation claims in a court of law, at $100,000 a pop!
If the website is successful, the Diocese of Orange and its attorneys will have replenished the depleted cash reserves of the Diocese before Christmas and most likely, before Bishop Brown's December 3, 2007 contempt hearing.
October 10, 2007 17:10
Gustavo:
Maybe you missed it, but it's the website for FRIENDS of Monsignor Urell. For those who want to trash Msgr. Urell and call him names, your blog serves admirably.
October 10, 2007 17:20
Here are two more deleted messages -
Another message from Ryan DiMaria:
"I was absolutely polite, respectful, and did not make any personal attack other than stating facts which I witnessed first hand. Why did you remove my comment. Respectfully, are you too afraid to consider facts that may be uncomfortable to you.
I respect your opinion. It is unfortunate that you are not secure enough in it to let your other members see what I had posted."
Posted by: M. Ryan DiMaria | October 10, 2007 at 04:02 PM
And a new one:
"Forgiving John Urell and holding him accountable are two different things. Urell did a lot of terrible things to many victims, their families and to the general public by allowing sexual predators to roam freely, where they re- and re- and re- and re-offended.
And then, he lied about it.
This is not about forgiveness, this is about accountability. Simply because he's a "nice guy" doesn't mean that he should sail away off into the sunset, while thousands of victims lay bleeding in his wake.
Forgive him all you want, and then, make him pay for his crimes.
What if it were your child he allowed to be abused?"
Posted by: Avid Reader | October 10, 2007 at 04:02 PM
October 10, 2007 17:34
Removing a post doesn't make what it said untrue. Most likely, it hit a nerve. Right, Kool-Aid drinkers?
October 10, 2007 20:32
POSTED BUT MAY NEVER APPEAR.
************************************
Dear Friends of Mon. Urell:
Your website, “Friends of Msgr. John,” is a great way to support Mon. Urell as he recovers in Canada. As a voice of the laity in supporting Mon. Urell, it is my sincere hope that your voice extends to those still struggling with the mixed messages of Bishop Brown and his attorneys. Just as Mon. Urell needs support, so do many others who have had their names, reputations and careers dragged through the mud because attorneys leading the Diocese of Orange gave orders to destroy those seeking justice.
No human being deserves to live with anxiety or fear. Mon. Urell has been blessed to have supporters and friends that care about him. Please let your voices be heard in all areas of healing and forgiveness. Mon. Urell will never be abandoned thanks to your support and friendship; however, at any time, attorneys representing the Diocese of Orange can make a command to destroy careers, reputations and families -- with intent to protect the Diocese of Orange. Please support those who have been destroyed because of the evil legal advisors that continue to incompetently advise Bishop Brown what is best for his Diocese.
Please pray for the employees in the Diocese of Orange who are forced to live in fear of speaking out to protect others... because termination of employment and career ruin can and will occur if an employee speaks out to protect or expresses an opinion. The attorneys below have had many opportunities to unite OC Catholics and advise Bishop Brown how to move the Diocese to the next level of reconciliation. Sadly, these attorneys have too much power and abuse their positions of authority -- a serious form of abuse. Pray that the Diocese of Orange will soon be rid of evil legal obstructions:
Peter Callahan, Esq., Maria Rullo Schinderle, Esq., Thomas Rutherford, Esq., Albert P. Ballog, Esq., Michael John Peffer, Esq., Daniel R. Sullivan, Dana McCune, Esq., Julie M. Porter, Esq. and many others secretly working behind the scenes, making backroom deals.
May God bless you in your efforts to support Mon. Urell. Most likely, he is caught between evil attorneys advising him to ignore laws of human decency and the teachings of the Church. Once Mon. Urell realizes that forgiveness works both ways and admits the wrongs that can be corrected in the future, most likely, his acute anxiety will slowly disappear.
Tragically, Bishop Brown has made wrong choices in his selection of legal advisors. Until Bishop Brown rids his Diocesan house of all self-serving enabling attorneys, many will continue to suffer from acute anxiety and betrayals of faith.
October 10, 2007 20:51
Where did Russ Bianchi's comment even mention Urell? If the Friends want to cherry-pick comments, perhaps they shouldn't allow just anyone to do it.
October 10, 2007 20:58
John Urell has done NOTHING except council in good faith. His notes reflect ethical forthright compassionate thought. He had nothing to do with the Andrade case. Gustavo's Spanish Inquisition may lack thumbscrews and a dunking chair but alas the twisted and torrential lies fall right into the genre. May God save us all from the fierce and relentless hate of a journalist in search of the glorious headline.
October 10, 2007 21:08
Hey teacher: Lying to a sex-abuse victim about reporting Pecharich to Child Protective Services is "ethical forthright compassionate thought" how? You and others can go ahead and smear me and the other journalists who have followed this story, but it's not my signature on the documents I cite showing complicity in defending those who raped innocents.
October 10, 2007 22:02
Dear Teacher18042:
Your stuck up arrogance is giving your identity away....you must be one of those ENABLER teachers at Santa Margarita Catholic HS who have earned lifetime employment for assisting the Diocesan General Counsel and other incompetent legal advisors in covering up and failing to report sex crimes and other violations of the law.
We all know that Pecharich was well protected while he was the pastor at San Francisco Solano, the Catholic church located a few hundred feet away from the co-captain of Catholic schools, Santa Margarita Catholic HS, who embraces hiring and protecting sexual predators that were NEVER reported or prosecuted by the OC District Atty.
October 10, 2007 22:32
Matt Cunningham (Jubal says)
Gustavo:
Maybe you missed it, but it's the website for FRIENDS of Molesters and Child Abusers.
Conspirators in covering up crimes are as bad if not worse than original criminals. Those covering up are planning these lies and strategizing their continued attacks on the victims, shame on those who would do this and call themselves catholic!
October 10, 2007 22:37
Debby Bodkin says:
POSTED BUT MAY NEVER APPEAR.
It's here Debby! Now time for your flogging.
The supposedly good Bishop could have stopped this debacle with the stroke of a pen and I don't mean on a check. He chose the path as did all that surround him!
Now on to the good stuff anxiety or fear in Urell. We victims live with that shit daily. I cringe when a man tries to give me a hug. That is a byproduct of abuse at age 7. This has cost me many friend ships. But enough about my issues as they are not important here.
Here's the skinny on Urell.
If he comes back and spills the beans he will be defrocked and receive no pension. Do you really think that will happen? No! In the final hours of Father O'Gradys stay in prison in Los Angeles he was getting ready to testify against the church. The night before he was to do this the Diocese cut a deal with him in his cell. 100,000 annuity to take the contempt charge. He took the charge. Guess who pays? The laity yes you guessed correctly. Now that priest has been deported back to Ireland. See the movie Deliver us from Evil on utube for free.
If anyone is to speak out for the victims they are marginalized and it will cost them their future.
So now do you think he will come back with a mind full of recovery in dealing with the past victims or a mind full of getting out of this issue?
October 10, 2007 23:00
Matt/Jubal,
Gee. I am sure folks will just be running to join the OC GOP when they see you defending the monstrous Urell. Way to reach out to the local voters!
Maybe Romney can run with this. As a Mormon he is trouble reaching out to conservative Christians. Maybe he could announce that he too is supporting Urell! Why, that will make him a HERO in your party! Rudy will surely be toast...
October 11, 2007 06:00
Thanks James Brown Donkey! As a cradle Catholic, I continue to give the Diocese of Orange the benefit of the doubt, believing that someday the victims of heinous sex crimes will find truths and justice. And, I continue to hold on to the thought that someone is going to do the right thing.... it is very painful to continually witness Bishop Brown's total disregard for sex abuse victims and their families publicly and I am not a victim. Think about the pain Bishop Brown and his legal team cause for victims.
Your comments summarize why NOT one child, adult, employee or family is SAFE in the Diocese of Orange, NOT even members of the clergy are safe from sex crimes and illegal activity. And, if Mon. Urell states the truth, he will lose his financial stability as a member of the clergy. In fact, Mon. Urell would find himself abandoned by the only faith he knows and the only career he knows. If Bishop Brown had the ability to stop this debacle and chose to send Mon. Urell away, he deserves to spend more than a few days behind bars with Maria Rullo Schinderle, Peter Callahan and the secret conspirators and ENABLERS.
But as we all know, NO priest, employee or politically connected Catholic in OC will ever see the inside of a criminal courtroom, jail or prison. Check the public records--I have. Why? The OC District Attorney and OC Sheriff share the same political advisor who is married to the Public Affairs Counsel for the OC District Attorney, they are all Catholic Republicans and share the same attorneys and/or insurance liability carrier.
WELCOME to Orange County, the safe haven for sexual predators, especially if you are an employee for the Diocese of Orange! God bless the courage of clergy abuse victims and their families -- as long as they contnue to speak out, others will be safe.
October 11, 2007 08:06
Gustavo!
Thanks for the link to the friends o'urell site. It was hillarious. OMG, They bought a domain name and everything!!!!!
A full page ad in the Toronoto Sun would have been the right paper to show Urell their support.. oh wait, How about candlelite vigil outside Urell's hospital (or hideout) window in Canada? Or at least outside Gustavo's office window.
(If Urell even knows) his reputation is turning into a Saturday Night Live skit, it must be doing wwonders for his anxiety. This is such a personal time for him I would imagine, news of all his die hard supporters making a whole webpage dedicated in his honor must be horrifying to him.
But what else can they do Gustavo? Think about it. Hundreds of children baptized and married by this guy. Are the supposed to look at their loved ones and say "Ewww, a molestation cover up-er" did our ceremony. NO!! IT CANT BE THAT WAY...
so instead
They have decided to change the events. Take a big eraser to history and pretend it all didnt happen.
People, he didnt have a breakdown over his innocents he had a breakdown over his guilt. If you choose to love him anyway, then fine but dont shove your love for him down our throats, because we aint having it.
October 11, 2007 09:21
Urell's supporters are facist dictators who edit the comments from people who took the time to read what they had to say.
So we should see them for what they are, and just feel embarrassed for Urell at this point I guess. if this is his... team. lol!
October 11, 2007 12:07
Dear TEACHER18042;
You are right there is a relentless hate towards child molesters and those who cover for them.
You had mentioned Urell's "notes reflect ethical forthright compassionate thought." Was this something that was turned over in discovery or did you hide those too? Maybe there are some notes on Urell's meeting with me?
What is your real name?
October 11, 2007 12:42
My initial comments were deleted...
What are you so afraid of that you will only choose certain responses to print? I stated only facts, I did not use any bad language or name-calling, I did not denigrate Urell in any way. I simply stated some facts - such as: Urell leaves in the middle of a deposition because if "anxiety." What about the lives of anxiety he caused by his decisions concerning sexual abuse victims? How many of them can afford to go to a treatment center to heal their anxiety? He did make some serious mistakes, now he needs to face up to them and take responsibility for them. No number of good deeds performed will make up for the souls he allowed to be murdered. It doesn't matter if he doesn't want to remember those times, we victims don't have a choice. We can never forget them because men like him allowed sexually predatory priests to continue abusing innocent people. The victims were grilled by diocesan lawyers for days on end without breaking down. They had to relive over and over the horrors of what happened, recite them for the lawyers and they were not allowed to leave to go for treatment in between. Urell needs to face the consequences of his actions like a man, not a coward.
October 11, 2007 17:15
Dear Gabi,
Your comments were cut because people are trying to keep the lid on how deep this really go's in Orange County. As Mr. Ryan said, he was treated very badly by Mr. Urell wile trying to report what had happened to him as a child. Urell kept journals on everything and they met a shredder before his quarter attempt at a deposition.
This action makes the Ernon guys envious of the quick reactions and cover up tactics of the slithering preacher. Back to him,
He's getting ready to crack like an egg and I don't personally think, All the Bishops men can piece him back together in time to face any Judge at least right now! But if they use another stall tactic and keep pumping him up with full page paper articles they might succeed in the pump up session.
Someone needs to print, radio, TV and let Miss Urell know we know and we are everywhere even in Canada!!!!
This will keep him cracked till his arrival back to his official civil flogging in the good old US of A.Baby
He might not man up and let the Bishop take the fall.
If I was playing a game of chess that would be like giving a PAWN for a Bishop.
I'll take that trade any day!!!!
October 14, 2007 10:10
First of all let me say that I believe Monsignor John Urell will be the man I know him to be and will come forward eventually. I can't say that I knew him because we spent a lot of time together.
Dear father John, you acted on my wife and my behalf and married us in the Diocese, I believe in you. Do what God commands and come forth with the truth. Face the lions as Daniel did. You will be revered in God's eyes and the people will forgive you.
As a little boy of 5 I sat downstairs with my parents and looked up to the choir loft and dreamed of singing up there. God granted me that privilege and I was truly blessed!
I was involved with the Folk Mass for 20 years. I eventually became the folk mass vocalist and served 10 years as such. One day the organist brought up a new vocalist and without warning or reason, I was dismissed. I personally don't know why, I DO know that the acting pastor/Monsignor wouldn't let me perform my duties for the 2 weddings I was paid for. The young couples were so upset that the church would not let me sing for their weddings, they moved their weddings to another location. The church said,” Because I was not involved in the choir, I couldn't perform weddings." Why did they do that to me? I asked and asked but there was no reason or rhyme. I'm a middle age man that still cries when I think of that devastating day.
After 20 years of personal service and 10 years of intimate relations with the services of my church I couldn’t get help from them when my wife and three daughters didn’t have money for food. Monsignor Strange wrote me a personal check for $100.00, which possibly was the difference between our family’s survival, or not. Monsignor Strange raised me in Catholicism and I miss him very much.
It’s very hard for me to be forgiving but I still believe Monsignor John Urell will do what’s right in the end. Once he listens to his God instead of the lawyers who ask (according to the Register) victims if they enjoyed the sex.
Thank you for letting me vent. I always wanted to let the families of Holy Family know what happened to me. I miss you all….
I am now a Christian without a church. But I carry the word of God with me everyday.
May God bless you all and bring you peace.