Hey, kids! Your favorite pedophile-tolerating, victim-ignoring, down-breaking Monsignor is back! Well, he may not be YOUR favorite. He's certainly Matt Cunningham's favorite.
The Diocese of Orange announced this week that Msgr. John Urell is expected to return as pastor of St. Norbert Church in Orange sometime after Easter. Urell was discharged from a Canadian psychiatric facility earlier this week, after suffering a so-called anxiety attack on the witness stand back in October. From the Reg:
Urell, who used to investigate clergy and other sex-abuse claims against the Diocese of Orange, was sent to Southdown Institute in Canada after breaking down during the middle of a July deposition in a Mater Dei sex abuse lawsuit. He was sent to the hospital for "acute anxiety,'' his lawyers then said.
Lawyers representing the plaintiff Christina Ruiz attempted to hold [Bishop Tod] Brown in contempt for sending Urell to the facility, arguing that Urell needed to finish pretrial testimony. The motion, though, was dropped when Ruiz and two other women settled their sex-abuse lawsuits against the Diocese for $6.685 million in October.
Urell used to investigate sex-abuse claims? I thought the problem was just the opposite.
Anyway, the return of the Misguided Monsignor has inspired me to come with the first line of a song. Any follow-up verses are welcome.
Well down in California, right in Orange Count-y
While he was givin' some difficult testimony
This ol' monsignor had a fit, and over he fell
The Southland knew this holy man as John Urell
To Canada and mental help our boy did flee,
But we knew that he would return eventually.
Go go ... Go, Johnny go, go (to Canada)
March 4, 2008 18:47
That's great news! So glad to hear he has recovered and is okay again.
March 4, 2008 23:04
I thought things were feeling a lot better here in Orange County ... now I know why!!!
March 5, 2008 05:18
Hey Al,
Is it my imagination, or does Bishop Urell bare a resemblance to "Faux" News' Sean Hannity? ;-)
March 5, 2008 11:16
Well, lucky for Urell the 6 month rule of giving a damn has expired.
Nobody cares about this anymore. John Urell can creep back into his position now that everyone has lost their outrage. Laying low for six months only to rise like the phoenix from the ashes in months 7-10 is standard practice. Ask any Public Relations firm. Right Jubal?
Welcome back Monsignor Urell! All is forgotten!
March 5, 2008 20:10
Bob;
Yes on the Hannity separated-at-birth, but a big fat stinking no on the Al.
I can be your bodyguard, but you can't call me Al.
Alex, if you please. Or Alexander. Or Mr. Brant-Zawadzki. Or B-Z. Beez. Beez-wads. Wadski. The Wad. Beez-nuts. Beezle. Beelzebub.
Just not Al.
March 5, 2008 20:29
resemblance? This guy, in both features and message...
Jesus he knows me and he knows I'm right. I've been talking to Jesus all my life
March 7, 2008 10:16
Second and third verse
He used to carry a big title of credibility
But that was long before the hiding of perversity
People used to gather from miles around
To party with molesters B4 they ran out of town
Now Tod Brown announces that the coast is clear
Fooling sleeping sheep with removal of fear Catholics who do get it are not buying this line. A leopard does not change much with short passage of time.
Now it's possible to heal with tranquility
But that can only happen with some honesty
Till that day arrives, we will be on guard
Watching every move in your tricky backyard
So don't blame us by saying that we have no trust
The only thing protected has been the sin of lust.
March 9, 2008 10:14
Word on the street is that JU will leave St. Norberts after a brief stint to a more prestigious parish assignment. A promotion for silence?
March 10, 2008 15:30
Alex P. - Dana Point is nice this time of year, and easy transition destination.
May 26, 2008 22:13
Urell is moving to St. Timothy in Laguna Niguel at the end of August.
Considering so many prayed for him and looked forward to his return, some now feel betrayed. Why not stay with the parishioners who supported him? Why not be a strong man and own up to this chapter and grow from it. How ironic St Norbert's theme these past 5 years with Urell have been the next chapter.
The statement read at the end of each mass this last weekend was brief and filled with many 'I' this and 'I' that. No where was the words "I am sorry" to be leaving you.
The Diocese may not like it but this only seems to fuel the fire of scandal. How dare they do this to the faithful in the church. How dare they continue to drag us along with their bad and disgraceful decisions and choices to keep monsters like Coughlin in their midst.
It sickens me as a Catholic in Orange County that the heirachy will not accept full responsibility and consider WWJD.
THe LA Diocese is already turned to the Parishioners to pick up the tab for Priest Abuse. Once that happens in Orange County, they will see all of my family's tithing disappear. Each ministry we support or participate in will diminish and we are already considering what Christian denomination we may turn to as it is becoming apparent the Catholic Church does not care about its church, seem the Arse's of those priest who are monsters.
Hell awaits them all!
June 3, 2008 16:30
Of course the irony of all this is that St. Timothy's LAST pastor had to resign because of a nervous breakdown. So that pastor is ultimately being replaced with another priest who's supposedly had the same malady. (Maybe this is Bp. Brown's way of driving Urell over the edge; or just throwing gasoline on the fire--pick your metaphor.)
And the resemblance to the culture of Hollywood celebs is amazing: "They're back from rehab, so EVERYTHING'S fine now...(followed by nervous laughter)."
The pattern of rearranging the deck chairs continues.