Fourth Open Letter to Bishop Joseph F. Martino

July 21, 2004

Dear Bishop Martino,

While you perpetuate Bishop Timlin's policy of protecting the predator priests in the Diocese of Scranton, the Society of St. John has been busy preparing an exit strategy. With the federal trial for sexual abuse fast approaching, and with damaging testimony continuing to mount, the SSJ wants to find a new home in Argentina. The SSJ's new superior general, Fr. Daniel Fullerton, has been searching for property in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or San Luis (San Luis having a bishop who reportedly is friendly to the SSJ).

You should know that one of Fr. Carlos Urrutigoity's favorite images for the SSJ is that of a submarine whose hatches can be shut tight if one compartment of the submarine becomes flooded and disabled. Thus, as the Shohola compartment fills with water, the SSJ is prepared to close the hatch and move into the Argentinean compartment. And you can be sure that Urrutigoity will not hesitate to shut the hatch on those who remain in the Shohola compartment and fail to recognize the leaks.

Indeed, what is especially wicked about the latest SSJ scam is that Fullerton is simultaneously attempting to raise money to develop the SSJ's Shohola property. In a fundraising letter sent out on July 1, 2004, Fullerton announced that the SSJ plans to expand their chapel in Shohola due to overcrowding at Mass. (The last time Fullerton spoke of "overcrowding" it was to justify the SSJ's practice of sleeping in the same bed with boys.)

In this same fundraising letter, Fullerton beats the tired old drum of the SSJ's plan to build a "city on a hill" in Shohola. He even reports that the SSJ has signed an "exclusive agreement with a Benedictine-trained developer/realtor" named Chaba Pallaghy. Fullerton claims that "Mr. Pallaghy will work during this coming year to see what options he can pursue." Options? What options?

The truth is, as Bishop Timlin admitted years ago, all options with respect to the Shohola property are dead. Yet Fullerton does not hesitate to go once more to that dried up well to defraud more Catholic donors whose money will be pocketed and carried down to Argentina if the SSJ is shut down in Shohola. And poor Mr. Pallaghy, like all the other deceived developers before him, will be left shaking his head and wondering what happened to those nicely dressed "Benedictine" brothers.

When it comes to money, Fullerton's shamelessness knows no bounds. In email letter sent out today to the SSJ's supporters, Fullerton concludes with the following: "All is well here in Shohola. I'll write to you soon regarding the expansion of the Chapel. I should have some architectural studies to show you by then as well."

Years ago the SSJ was fooling people with their plans to expand and their "architectural studies," and the deceit continues to this day. The hopes of many have been betrayed, and many have been irreparably harmed, especially the victims of sexual abuse. All is well in Shohola? Fullerton has lied before to cover up for the sex crimes of Urrutigoity and Ensey, and Fullerton is lying now.

Sincerely,