To Archbishop Brunett and Bishop George Thomas, May 7, 2004.
Stance of Bishops on accountability of bishops intentionally moving abusive priests to other pastoral assignments

May 7, 2004
 
 
 
Archbishop Alex Brunett, D.D., Ph.D.
Bishop George Thomas, D.D., Ph.D.
The Chancery
910 Marion Street
Seattle, Washington 98104
 
Dear Archbishop Burnett and Bishop Thomas:
 
At the Eastside Deanery’s March meeting, some members of our group, Concerned Catholic Ministers, heard an account of that month’s presbyteral council meeting, which dealt in part with the National Review Board’s report, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s report, on clergy sexual abuse of children in our church.  What was discussed was shared with us at our own group’s March meeting.
 
It is our understanding that at the March presbyteral council meeting, in regard to the measure of candor in these reports about holding accountable not just abusive priests but also bishops and cardinals who covered up their intentional moving of abusive priests, Bishop Thomas made a remark in words similar to these: “We will not be able to put this behind us until the bishops involved are held accountable.” 
 
It was shared, as well, Archbishop, that you had stated a similar conviction at a national gathering of the episcopate, and that, in fact, your words “sent a chill” through that body of church leaders.
 
We write to thank you both for what you have expressed concerning this matter, and to let you know that we strongly support your sharing your convictions on this in some public way with our local church.
 
We wholeheartedly support the direction of your pastoral concern on this issue, which, it seems, has become a growing and indeed a major ingredient contributing to the lack of credibility our church leaders, and all of us as God’s People, have in our country and abroad.  Thank you so much for your vision and care in this regard.  It is exactly the honesty, accountability, and transparency which, in our estimation, the Second Vatican Council urged on us as church.
 
We wish you, Bishop Thomas, every blessing as you leave our local Church to become the Bishop of God’s People in Helena.  May you shepherd your people there with compassionate pastoral care and may God go with you and bless you in your new ministry.  Please know that we will miss your caring, authentic presence.
 
We recognize, too, Archbishop, what the loss of Bishop Thomas will mean for our local Church and for you personally.  We wish you strength in this process, and assure you of our prayers that God may strengthen you, as you continue to lead and shepherd us.
 
Very sincerely on behalf of the membership of Concerned Catholic Ministers,
 
Deacon Del Hoover
Sr. Mary Ellen Johnson, CSC
Ms. Kathleen MacInnis Kichline, M. Div.
Ms. Shannon O’Donnell
 
Concerned Catholics Ministers’ Leadership Team