April 26, 2002

A Third Open Letter to Bishop James C. Timlin, Diocese of Scranton

Dear Bishop Timlin,

Your continued support of the Society of St. John is a yet unsolved mystery. Consider, if you will, what members of the Society have "accomplished" in the four years since you established them in the Diocese of Scranton:

1. Squandered millions of dollars of donors' money;

2. Entangled the Diocese in a huge debt and a grossly irresponsible real estate venture;

3. Lied to you, Bishop Dougherty, donors, and reporters about the developer's reasons for withdrawing from the Shohola project;

4. Plied minors with alcohol and tobacco;

5. Slept in the same bed with minors and other young men under their spiritual direction;

6. Lied to donors about their immoral conduct, in particular, the one-on-one sleeping with boys; and

7. Involved the Diocese in three lawsuits, with other litigation impending. The first of these lawsuits involves accusations of homosexual molestation of a minor, concerning which there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

You cannot deny any of the above.

In fact, you have admitted—though the Society continues to deny it—that Society priests have slept one-on-one with boys. Furthermore, you have not demanded that the Society repudiate its theory of male intimacy and its defense of the practice of sleeping with young men as an aid to spiritual direction. You yourself continue to insist that there is nothing immoral in this practice.

You claim that you have relieved Fr. Urrutigoity and Fr. Ensey of their duties due to accusations of homosexual molestation, yet you continue to allow these priests to see young men. Moreover, you have allowed Fr. Urrutigoity to continue to operate as the superior general of the Society, and to sign his name as such on Society fundraising material, thereby deceiving donors.

You have abdicated your moral authority as Bishop of Scranton by failing to investigate the accusations against Fr. Urrutigoity and Fr. Ensey. Where is the promised report from your "blue-ribbon" committee on sexual abuse? Why have you failed to call forth witnesses to the immorality of these priests? Do you think that you have discharged your responsibility simply by turning the names of these priests over to the District Attorney's office? Do you not understand the difference between moral and legal judgment? Or is your influence such that you already know the outcome of the District Attorney's investigation?

You spoke tearfully for the TV cameras at the diocesan Chrism Mass about the need to separate the wolves from the flock, but you have permitted the wolves to continue feeding on the unsuspecting. Without your protection the wolves in the Society would not have had their way with the flock for the past four years.

You have admitted that the Society's development project is dead. Yet you continue to allow the Society to promote its development project for the Shohola property even though you know that a Catholic village will never be established there. At present the Society is trying to sell the Shohola property without informing the donating public. Indeed, the Society has even tried to convince the prior owner to buy back the Shohola property, but he has refused.

You have also admitted that the Diocese now holds the banknote on the Shohola property. You were compelled to sign the note because the two prior note holders, having been abused and deceived by the Society, insisted in turn that they be replaced. Is the Diocese now keeping the Society afloat with money from the collection baskets filled by Catholics in the Scranton Diocese—unbeknownst to them?

Note that the College of St. Justin Martyr, which you have publicly and unjustly attacked, is not guilty of squandering donors' dollars, lying to bishops, plying minors with alcohol and tobacco, or molesting boys, among other crimes. Why denounce the College but support the Society?

So we return to the mystery: Why, Bishop Timlin, are you defending the wolves of the Society of St. John at the expense of the sheep? What sympathies do you share with the wolves?

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeffrey M. Bond
President
College of St. Justin Martyr
142 Market Road
Greeley, PA 18425
570/685-5945
jmb3@ltis.net
www.saintjustinmartyr.org