A Possible Indictment?

This weekend clergy and lay Catholics should be aware that the Archdiocese of Washington is now, and has been under investigation by the State of Maryland Criminal investigators. If you have evidence contact the State investigators. These investigations originated because of the horrible, destructive and fatal sexual abuse or assault crimes committed by priests; and of course the decades old and ongoing denials and cover ups carried out by Church clergy and lay staff. Since the 1950s and 1960s and in the decades since then there have been hundreds of criminal actions carried out by our Catholic clergy and knowledgeable Lay Catholics.

Particular individual priests have faced possible criminal indictments. Of course auxiliary bishops, bishops and Cardinals have been or might be a part of past or ongoing investigations. Criminal cover ups require teamwork. For years priests, Laity and our Archbishops have known about the boy and girl— both trusting Catholic kids—-who were raped separately by two different priests in Southern Maryland. They were told to shut up and were falsely accused of being liars—- by the Archdiocese of Washington clergy. Both acts of denial and “accusing the victims” is an old traditional defense strategy used by the Catholic Church. Tragedy is clearly recognizable in the losses of these two kids who took their own lives.

Today’s clergy and maybe Church laypeople are deliberately stonewalling and covering up. The priest who heads the Archdiocese of Washington Archives and a Canon Lawyer, has yet to give State investigators access to the necessary Church documents. Lacking such access makes it nearly impossible for investigators to more thoroughly clarify matters, including the roles carried out by priests and laity in both past or ongoing cover ups. This can include the possible destruction of evidence concerning the above two kids. This Canon Lawyer has been unwilling to work in a more cooperative way with the State of Maryland investigators. He could willingly provide them with greater access to the Archdiocesan Archives. But he chooses not to do thus! Is this unwillingness a crime? 

 

To read the entire article from Fr. Michael's Newsletter, click here.  

Priest and Deacon Removed from Ministry (October 2023)

Both a priest and deacon were removed from ministry in October 2023 due to alligations.  This was announced only in the affected parishes and the Catholic Standard.  I would bet that 99.9% of Catholics in the Archdiocese know nothing about it.

Here is the article from the Standard.

Child sex abuse lawsuit filed against Archdiocese

 

The Archdiocese of Washington is facing a class action lawsuit, now that a new Maryland law has eliminated statutes of limitations on civil claims.

By lifting the statute of limitation, sexual abuse victims can come forward years after an incident occurred. Three anonymous victims say they have suffered physical, emotional and financial harm as a result of child sexual abuse.

Attorney Jonathan Schochor is representing the three victims.

To read the entire article, please go to WMAL.  

Planned Parenthood Regularly Ignored Child Rape

May 31, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Live Action released Part 3 of its “Aiding Abusers” video series Thursday, highlighting the firsthand accounts of former Planned Parenthood employees who say the abortion giant routinely refused to report statutory rape and ignored signs that young girls brought in for abortions were being molested.

The “Aiding Abusers” series, launched earlier this week, accuses the nation’s largest abortion company of a “systemic, decades long cover-up of child sexual abuse.” It contrasts Planned Parenthood’s conduct behind closed doors with its public embrace of the #MeToo campaign to end sexual exploitation.

For the complete story, go to LifeSiteNews.

FINAL UPDATE on the St. John the Evangelist Teacher

This is the final update to the case of the St. John the Evangelist Elementary School (Silver Spring) teacher.  The case is now considered closed.  Possible commentary in the future on this case.



http://awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

Update on St. John the Evangelist Teacher's Aide

For an the latest update on the proceedings, as well as all other updates, please go to the original post located here:

 http://awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

UPDATE: St. John the Evangeslist Teacher Update

To view the most recent update to this story, please go to the original post:

http://www.awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

UPDATE: St. John the Evangelist Teacher's Aide

There have been a number of updates to the court records regarding this case since my posting on December 12th.

Please go to the original posting for the complete update.

Thank you and please keep the child, his/her family and the school community in your prayers, that 2014 will allow them to begin to put this terrible event behind them and that God will begin to give them some peace.

Link: http://www.awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

UPDATE: Teacher's Aide from St. John the Evangelist Elementary School

Please note that I will be placing all future updates on the original blog posting, to provide you with a complete history of this case.  Thank you.

Click here to view the Nov. 16th update.

Teacher Aide from St. John the Evangelist (Oct. 14th Update)

For those of you who are interested, here is the most recent development according to the Maryland Judiciary Case System:

On Friday, Oct. 11th, Discovery was completed.  The next step in this process is the Pretrial Hearing set for Nov. 15th at 9:30am in Courtroom 6.

Update on Teacher's Aide from St. John the Evangelist School

Over the last few weeks, I have searched the Washington Post and the Montgomery County Gazette for any reference to the arrest of Allyson Gulley, the teacher's aide at St. John the Evangelist School (Silver Spring, MD).

Now, I do not expect to see it in the Catholic Standard but not one word in either one of the other papers.  The family and/or the Archdiocese must have some pretty strong pull with the Fourth Estate to keep this out of the papers.

In addition, one of my contacts was at the meeting held by the pastor and the "team" handling this matter at the school.  He reports that it was a total waste of time.  They had no answers (think the Sgt Schultz line -- "I know nothing!") and simply went over the Child Protection program. 


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Case #:123340C
Sub Type: Indictment
Scheduling Hearing: Sept. 6th at 8:30am in Courtroom #1  
Location: 50 Maryland Ave.  3rd Fl.

Count #1:  SEX ABUSE MINOR 
Count #2:  SEX OFFENSE THIRD DEGREE
Count #3: SEX OFF 4TH- PERS POS AUTH

The third count is as follows:

did as a person in a position of authority, engage in [a sexual act /sexual contact] with ____(name), a minor, who at the time of the [sexual act/sexual contact], was a student enrolled at the school where said person of authority was employed.

Note: See CR 3-308(a) for definition of "Person in a position of authority".
Note: See CR 3-307(a)(4) and CR 3-308(b)(2) for exceptions

UPDATE: Teacher Aide Arrested from St. John the Evangelist School (Silver Spring, MD)

February 29, 2014 Update

This information was updated on the Maryland Court records database, sometime yesterday afternoon/this morning.  The case is now considered closed.

On Feb. 10, 2014

COURT SENTENCES THE DEFENDANT TO COUNT #2, (ASSAULT-SECOND DEGREE ) A GENERALLY SUSPENDED SENTENCE;

AS TO COUNT #3 (SEX OFF 4TH- PERS POS AUTH), A GENERALLY SUSPENDED SENTENCE;

5 YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION, WITH CONDITIONS. COURT COSTS ASSESSED. STATE ENTERS NOLLE PROS AS TO REMAINING COUNTS.

COURT ORDERS THE DEFENDANT TO REGISTER WITH THE SEX OFFENDERS REGISTRY.

*Please note that the defendant pleaded not guilty to Sex Abuse of a Minor.

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January 23, 2014 Update:

There have been a number of updates to the Maryland Court Records in relation to this case.  Please note the following regarding the January 6, 2014 Plea Hearing:

·         A Plea Hearing was held in front of Judge Boynton.  The State’s Attorney was Ms. Bridgford.

·         The Defendant (Ms. Gulley) appeared with her counsel, Mr. Delpino

·         The State’s motion to amend Count #2 and the body of Count #3 of the indictment were granted and amended.

·         The Defendant enters am oral plea of GUILTY to Count #2 and 3 (Second Degree Assault) and Count #3 (Sex Offense Fourth Degree – Person in Position of Authority).   My note:  It seems, but I can be incorrect as there are sometimes entry errors, that Count #1 (Sex Abuse of a Minor) was dropped.  However, I will check back at a later date to see if the record will be updated.

·         The Defendant continues to be out on Bond.

·         Sentencing will be set on Feb. 10, 2014 at 1:30pm by Judge Boynton.

(As before, please keep the child and his/her family in your prayers.)



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January 8, 2014 Update

On Feb. 20, 2014, at 1:30pm, sentencing will take place in Courtroom 8 by Hon. David Boynton.

(As before, please keep the child and his/her family in your prayers.)

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January 1, 2014 Update

On Dec. 20th it was decided that the plea hearing would be postponed from Thursday, January 2, 2014 to Monday, January 6, 2014.

A Plea has been submitted.

On January 6, 2014, it is expected that a jury trial (four days) will begin but it should be noted that a plea has been submitted.  IMHO, no trial will take place if the Montgomery Attorney's Office accepts the plea, which it probably will.

(As before, please keep the child and his/her family in your prayers.)



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December 12th Update

If I have read the court records correct, a plea agreement has been filed with the court.

On December 10, 2013, a plea agreement was filed with the court before Judge Boynton.  

CONSENT ORDER OF COURT (DEBELIUS, J.) TO SCHEDULE A PLEA HEARING ON JANUARY 2, 2014 AT 10:00 A.M., A DATE CLEARED WITH CHAMBERS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TENDERING TO THE COURT A DISPOSITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLEA AGREEMENT, ENTERED. 




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Nov. 16th Update

On Nov. 13th, there was an agreement between the defendant and the county to postpone the pre-trial hearing until Dec. 6th.  This will be held in Court Room #15 at 9:30am with Judge Cheryl Mccally.

The trial is scheduled for January 6th.



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Updated Tuesday Evening....

A meeting was held on Monday night (July 1st) at St. John the Evangelist School regarding the arrest and charging of a Teacher's Aide with sexual abuse.

According to my sources, the following were in attendance: the Pastor (Msgr. Pennington), the principal (Sr. Lanark), Thomas W. Burnford (Sec. of Education), Ken Gaughan (head of School Counseling Services), and Deacon Matthew Houle? (Youth Protection). Also, sitting joining but not saying anyting until the end was someone from the Communication Office. (Probably watching what they were or were not saying.)

No one from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) was invited to this meeting. And my source tells me that this was a bit of a sore point with some of those in attendance, as they wanted to know exactly what were the charges and the next steps.

The meeting started off with Msgr. Pennington speaking about the matter, as much as he could but that was really not much. He indicated that this inappropriate behavior was done outside of school hours, therefore, out of his bounds to comment on. He also stated that this was a closed meeting and not open to the press.

The Principal got up to speak and she was at times in tears over this matter.

Ken Gaughan spoke about how to approach the issue with your child and the resources available from the Archdiocese. Deacon Houle reiterated the point about the training received and the background check.

Questions were taken but had to be written on index cards. The most common questions asked were:

• How old was the child and what grade?
• Did it take place on school property?
• Why weren't they notified as soon as the police were contacted?
• Why was the entire parish notified about this?
• What are you going to do to ensure that it does not happen again?
• What type of communication will we receive in the future?

A couple of parents were upset that a letter was annouced from the pulpit regarding the abuse. Many had confused children and wanted to be forwarned.



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Allyson R. Gulley (Kensington, MD) was arrested and charged with the following:


Charge 1:
Sex Abuse of a Minor -Statute: CR.3.602.(B)
The incident took place between April 1 and May 21, 2013
Complaint made by Police Officer K. Carvajal

Charge 2:
Sex Offense in the Third Degree - Statue CR.3.307
The incident took place between April 1 and May 21, 2013
Complaint mae by Victor Delpino Esq.  (Private Attorney)

Ms. Gulley is currently out on bail.   The hearing will take place on July 26, 2013 at 10am.

***Please note that this information is available to the public from the Maryland Court system and does not violate any privacy laws. 

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Sunday, June 30th
According to my sources, a female teacher aide* from St. John the Evangelist School (Georgia Ave. Silver Spring), was arrested by Montgomery County Police for inappropriate contact with a student.

This sad news was announced by the pastor, who read a letter, at all Masses today.  In it, I was told, the Archdiocese had done all due diligence in background checks and reported it to Montgomery County Police, as soon as the allegation was made.

Please keep the student, the student's family and the larger St. John's Community in your prayers.

*This was a teacher's aide, not a teacher.  Correction from earlier posting. 

Fr. J. Glenn Murray, SJ

From the Pastor of Holy Trinity (Georgetown):

I am very sorry to share with you the difficult news that Fr. J. Glenn Murray, S.J., who served in the Washington, D.C., area from 2007 to 2011, has been permanently removed from ministry following a credible allegation of improper touching of a minor that occurred in 1981-82 while Fr. Murray was working in Baltimore.

According to Fr. Jim Shea, Provincial of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, this is the only allegation of misconduct involving Fr. Murray that the Province has received.

For more on this, please go to Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown.

I always believed it was mainly homosexuals...

in the Priesthood, who committed the most abuse, which has hurt the Church immensely. Now it does not mean that there were not pedophiles, nor does it mean that those priests were not only gay but also pedophiles.

Catholic News Service reports the following:

Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a top psychiatrist and authority on treating sexually abusive priests, told CNA that he is “very critical” of the findings because they avoid discussing important causal factors in clerical sex abuse cases, namely homosexuality.

For the complete article, click here.

Politics Daily expresses regret, removes article incriminating US apostolic nuncio

After publishing an article last week that incriminated the U.S. apostolic nuncio by suggesting he regularly insults an alleged victim of clerical abuse in Washington D.C., Politics Daily removed the “disquieting” article and expressed regret they had published it.

To read more, go to the Catholic News Agency article.

Three Accusations of Child Abuse by DC Area Priest

According to The Examiner, three men have alleged in lawsuits that they were sexually abused by Msgr. Joseph Dooley. George Thompson, has accused Msgr. Dooley of molesting him, while stationed at St. John the Baptist Church in Silver Spring, from 1963 to 1967. The other two men were parishioners in Our Lady of Lourdes (Bethesda) and Annunciation (NW DC) in the late 1950's to mid-1960's.

Msgr. Dooley is a defendant in the lawsuits, even though he is dead. The three parishes and the Archdiocese are part of the lawsuit too.

According to the article, Mr. Thompson went to the Archdiocese in 2005 with the allegation and the Diocese reported it to the proper authorities.

Let us take a moment to pray:

1. For those who alleged the abuse, they they may be healed of their hurt;
2. For Msgr. Dooley (yes, if he did do the things he has been accused of, we have all been told to pray for the sinner);
3. For all of our priests, that the Lord gives them the strength to avoid the near occasion of sin and to give them strength in their everyday lives. We need them, and they need us.

Here is the story in the Examiner and here in the Post.

Maryland Senate Bill 238

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) has asked Catholics to fight MD Senate Bill 238, which would lift the statute of limitations on lawsuits against child abusers to 32 years after the alleged act.

According to the statement they have put out, it will not apply to government agencies and public schools. And from what I have read, there has been a great deal of abuse going on in public schools around the country but little is done about it.

Either everyone should be able to be sued equally or drop it. If this is the case, then FIGHT it.

Write to your legislator.

Fight it.

Go to their website to find out how.

Open Letter to the Local DC Media

Open Letter to ABC, CBS, NBC, WaPo, WTOP, WMAL, et al.

I have a question for all of you: Why wasn't the story listed below one of your lead stories yesterday?

When Dan Stallings (a Catholic Deacon) was arrested, this made all of the major media outlets in the DC area. In fact, television crews were sent to his parish and harrassed parents and students as they were getting out of the local elementary school.

So, why is this not one of your top stories?

We all know the reason: anti-Catholic bias. Anything to bring down an organization that stands for faith and morals and does not rely on polling to dictate how it should think and act.

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From AP:

Montgomery County police have charged a former minister at a Gaithersburg church with sexually abusing a female youth choir member.

Police say 47-year-old Timothy Chun-Chock Mann worked at the First Baptist Church on West Diamond Avenue when the alleged abuse began in 1992 and continued until 1996.

Police have accused Mann of abusing the youth choir member mostly in his church office. The choir member was 14 when the alleged abuse began.

Mann now lives in Hoover, Alabama, and works as a choir director in Birmingham. He has been charged with third-degree sex offense and child abuse.

Mann turned himself in to Montgomery County police March 20 and was released on $100,000 bail.