Carol A. Kuhnert
Another example of the dangers of hidden and protected sexual predators within the Catholic priesthood and various religious orders world-wide.
A March 15, 2016 article on www.aol.com quotes Pennsylvania Attorney General, Kathleen Kane, “Three members of a Franciscan religious order were criminally charged with conspiracy on Tuesday for letting a friar, who was a known predator, hold jobs in which he sexually abused more than 80 children.”
An Editor’s note appears at the beginning of this article, stating “Please be advised that this story has content that may offend some readers.”
What offends me is the thought that many readers could be angry that an article disclosing these cover-ups was publicized, instead of being outraged by the fact that three Franciscan Friar Supervisors “turned a blind eye to the innocent children they were trusted to protect. They were more concerned with protecting the image of the order,” stated Kane.
Brother Stephen Baker’s supervisors knew of abuse allegations against him but still put him to work in a Catholic high school in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he’d have easy access to lots more children. Baker worked as an athletic trainer with children until a new allegation of abuse caused him to be reassigned. Outrageously, they next appointed him to be the Franciscan Order’s vocations director, where he sexually abused three more children.
In 2013, at the age of 62, Brother Baker took his own life. Three of his supervisors based in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Giles Schinelli, 73, Robert D’Aversa, 69, and Anthony Criscitelli, 61, ended up being charged with one count each of endangering the welfare of children and criminal conspiracy. A grand jury found they had “exclusive and total control over the assignment of personnel,” including Baker, stated Kane.
It was found that while these supervisors never reported abuse allegations to the law, they did contact their attorneys and insurance companies regularly, concerning liability and the possibilities of paying off victims. They claim it’s not happening any more, but this is just one small example of how the Catholic Church continues its pattern of deception and secrecy.
About the Author
