January 1, 2004

Dr. Bond,

I read with interest the notice on your web site that Bishop Timlin is to be replaced. I also had a tremendous amount of relief. I myself was an unknowing victim of his lies, deceit, and denial in the Fr. Caparelli case. Fr Caparelli had molested myself and my brother off and on for several years, between the late 70's and the summer of 1984. The last time it happened was well before the the abuses which had him arrested. It finally stopped when my family had moved away and he was no longer able to get to us. However, you were wrong about a few points. Yes, Fr. Caparelli was able to groom his victims. He just started at a very young age. As I recall he would say to his young victims "only a priest can touch you there [on the penis]" I had to have been in the third or fourth grade when it first started. If a young child hears this enough he will believe it. He also knew how to cultivate the parents of his victims. He did this by becoming close with the families of the victims through social activities while he was at College Misericordia, Kings College and the Mercy Center. If my memory serves me correctly, my family was first introduced to him through a family prayer group that would use all three facilities. My older brothers also went to Bishop O'Reilly High School where he taught at the time. The many family oriented activities there were fertile ground for establishing seemingly innocent friendships. I can only imagine how many boys he abused during his tenure there. My older brothers had heard rumors of his improprieties, but they were never accosted themselves. I believe once that I asked one of my brothers what he knew, and he said that all he heard was that a boy was expelled for punching Fr. Caparelli, but it wasn't known why he punched him. I believe he said that this boy was on the football team. One can only guess.

I do not blame my parents in the least because the were duped just like everyone else, nor do I blame Fr. Caparelli. In fact, knowing that he had this problem for so long makes me realize that he must have been powerless to control his urges. Once hearing of Fr. Caparelli's fate I felt a chapter had been closed. I was able to forgive him in my heart, and regret that I was not able to visit him in prison before he died, if only to tell him to his face.

I cannot, however, say the same for bishop Timlin. Knowing that he was aware of Fr Caparelli's actions as early as 1968 and did nothing infuriated me. Years of pain for myself, family and others could have been needlessly avoided. I have never felt the need to file charges. Hearing that has been doing the same thing with the Society of Saint John, however, makes my blood boil! I know exactly what the shame and guilt of the victims is like and carry the same emotional scars as them. This travesty cannot go on one day longer! I don't know how, but If I can assist in even the slightest way please let me know.

Name withheld upon request