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Opus Bono In The News
“When people wish to destroy religion, they begin
by attacking the priest, because where there is no longer any priest
there is no sacrifice, and where there is no longer any sacrifice there
is no religion.”
St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests
- Priests Need Defense against False Accusations
By Phil Lawler, CatholicCulture.org, March 13, 2015
Shaneyfelt and Maher explain that even if bishops wanted to defend priests, in cases when they were convinced the accusations were fraudulent, they might not be free to do so. Often the legal strategy of the diocese is dictated by the insurance companies that would be obligated to pay off a claim.
- Sacrificing Priests on the Altar of Insurance
By David A. Shaneyfelt and Joseph R. Maher, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, February 24, 2015
Fr. Bob is furious, mortified, humiliated, and terrified. He remembers the young man, he counseled him and found him deeply troubled—but he never, never touched him inappropriately, much less had any sexual contact with him. He calls his bishop immediately, but the bishop is unavailable. He calls the vicar general who tells him …
- Priest Cleared of Sex Abuse Charge After 10 Years of Living in the Shadows
By Thomas Szyszkiewicz, Aleteia, November 14, 2014
"The reason Msgr. Loomis's case is so rare, Maher said, is that priests who languish for that long and are found innocent usually end up being unassigned and having to find work in the secular world. It's not canon law that prevents them from serving, he said, but the press and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
- Lynn ruling elates supporters, deflates victim advocates
By Aubrey Whelen, NPR Inquirer Staff Writer, December 28, 2013
"I think that this case will give other prosecutors around the country pause to reflect on who is really accountable for the damage that may have been done to victims of sexual abuse," said Joe Maher, founder of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a Detroit organization that provides assistance to accused priests.
- Appeals Court Reverses Monsignor's Conviction in Child Sex Abuse Case
By Ben Finley, Allison Steele and Aubrey Whelen, Philadelphia Inquirere, December 26, 2013
"We can't have the Salem witch hunts on Catholic priests, like they've had in the past," said Joe Maher of Opus Bono, a network for priests accused of sexual assault. "This will send a message to other prosecutors that you really have to find and hold accountable those that have caused the harm to the victims, and not to those that may have been in authority over those who were abusing."
- Catholic Abuse Case going to Jury in Philadelphia
By Barbara Bradley Hagerty, NPR Radio News, March 31, 2013
The word "hierarchy" points to Lynn's main line of defense, says Joe Maher, president of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, an organization that supports priests. "They're holding Lynn ultimately responsible when he is not ultimately responsible," Maher says.
- Fates of suspended priests still in Limbo
By John P. Martin, Philadlephia Inquirer Staff Writer, March 6, 2012
Joe Maher, a Detroit businessman who runs a national support network for priests, said some of the suspended clerics had told him they hoped to meet privately with Chaput before he decided their fates. According to Maher, those priests requests' have gone unheeded. They don't know what to expect next, or when. "They don't know what the process is," Maher said.
- SNAP, Media Spotlight Role of Psychiatrist Who Evaluated Troubled KC Priest
By Joan Frawley Desmond, National Catholic Register, December 1, 2011
“The beatitudes are the best way to describe what this organization is for priests,” he said. “We help priests when they find themselves in difficulty; they could be in prison; they could be sick. We assist them with any needs they have that the Church cannot fulfill, as the Second Vatican Council asks the laity to do,” he said.
- Supporting Accused Priests = Supporting Guilty Priests?
By Tim Graham, NewsBusters, November 21, 2011
Even if Ratigan is guilty as charged and Fitzgibbons tried to deny the disturbing implications of the scandalous contents of the computer, the Star report casts aspersions on the mission of Opus Bono Sacerdotii. The same liberal reporters who impute nobility and heroism to defense lawyers for the civil liberties of accused Islamic radicals can’t manage any imagination that any accused priest might be innocent, or that faithful Catholics might want to protect priests who are innocent of the charges thrown at them.
- More Corruption at the KC Star
By Bill Donohue, Catholic League, November 17, 2011
"Dr. Fitzgibbons is to be commended, not condemned, for his association with OBS. It is run by two dedicated Catholics, Peter Ferrara and Joe Maher; its founding advisors were two of the most stellar Catholics in the past half-century, Avery Cardinal Dulles and Fr. Richard John Neuhaus. The group not only defends the rights of priests, it reaches out to those who have sinned and seek reconciliation. It is a noble enterprise."
- Psychiatrist who examined Ratigan has ties to group supporting accused priests
By Judy L. Thomas & Glenn E. Rice, The Kansas City Star, November 16, 2011
"Richard Fitzgibbons, who examined Ratigan in January after disturbing photographs of children were found on the priest’s computer, is an adviser to Opus Bono Sacerdotii, according to the group’s website. The nonprofit organization provides services to accused and imprisoned priests, including financial, legal and emotional support.
- Sutersville couple honored by Diocese of Greensburg
By Stacy Wolford, Valley Independent, October 18, 2011
"We financially support our parish and actively participate in many parish activities. We are supporters of the Opus Bono Sacerdotii organization, which helps priests who are in need," Ryckman said
- Report questions motives of clerical sex abuse victims' groups
By Brian Fraga, Our Sunday Visitor, September 11, 2011
“SNAP has an unceasing blood lust for going after priests and the Church. Whether the allegations are founded or not, it doesn’t matter to them,” said Maher, who told OSV that he sent two representatives last year to SNAP’s conference, but that they left two hours later because they were put off by the anger and foul language.
- Personnel shifts have parishes wondering: Where's our priest?
By John Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 22, 2011
"They're very upset, they're exasperated, they're angry," said Joe Maher, a Detroit businessman who runs a national support network for priests and said he talked regularly with the priests on leave.
- Priest sex-abuse scandal pits Catholics vs. Catholics
By John Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer, May 2, 2011
"What's happened in Philadelphia has called attention to the fact that there are innocent priests who've been thrown under the bridge," said Maher, who plans to meet this week with some of the suspended priests.
By Bill Donohue, president, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, New York Times, April 21, 2011
"Even worse, we now have the specter of a priest being suspended because a woman heard a kid in a playground call him a pedophile; she promptly called the cops. Joe Maher, president of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a group that monitors the incidence of falsely accused priests, says that “at least a thousand priests…have been removed and remain out of public ministry because of unproven accusations.”
By Joan Frawley Desmond, National Catholic Register, February 17, 2011
Joe Maher, president of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, which assists bishops and superiors of religious orders to solve the problems of the priesthood, echoes Father Maginot’s concerns. Maher notes that the advocates of accused priests often do not have access to case files and thus cannot respond to undisclosed evidence or subjective evaluations.
By John Allen, National Catholic Reporter, February 11, 2011
On Jan. 14, the group circulated an e-mail fundraiser featuring the story of an unnamed priest accused in 2009 of spending too much time with a teenager. The priest was removed from ministry, after what he described as a “very biased” assessment by a diocesan-recommended psychologist who had, the accused claimed, a vested interest in a drumming up business for a treatment program. With the support of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, the unnamed priest said, other psychologists cleared him and he was returned to ministry.
By Reverend Gordon J. MacRae, Spero News, January 29, 2011
Perhaps the best resource today for any accused priest facing a demand that he submit to a Church sponsored evaluation is Opus Bono Sacerdotii. Their website is filled with helpful information and solid advice for priests and their supporters.
UPI, December 5, 2010
Joe Maher of Opus Bono Sacerdotii says priests have been sacrificed to the church's rush to fix a broken system and that even guilty clergy deserve compassion. "The Catholic Church is all about redemption and hope, so we have to live that on Earth," Maher, who regularly circulates e-mails from priests in dire financial straits, says.
By Michelle Boorstein and William Wan, Sunday, The Washington Post, December 5, 2010
Maher, a former software consultant, founded the group in 2002, after a case unfolded in his parish against a priest who Maher believed was innocent. He says that priests have been mistreated in the church's rush to fix a broken system and that even guilty clergy deserve compassion. "The Catholic Church is all about redemption and hope, so we have to live that on Earth," said Maher, who regularly circulates e-mails from priests in dire financial straits. If they work, it's usually at menial jobs that don't require background checks or resumes.
By Patricia Montemurri,
Detroit Free Press,
November 14, 2010
When a priest calls, Maher said the first thing he and his staffers do is listen. They assess whether the priest needs immediate legal help. They also make sure the priest has necessities such as food and shelter. And they try to evaluate the caller's physical, spiritual and psychological health.
Patty Montemurri, Detroit Free Press, November 14, 2010
Like Williams, many of the removed priests struggle to provide for themselves, said Joe Maher, who started a defense fund for accused priests called Opus Bono Sacerdotii, which means "Work for the Good of the Priesthood." "I think that we have to do a much better job of taking care of our own, where Father Ron died penniless, destitute and alone," said Maher. "He had literally nothing.
Boston Globe throws fairness, perspective out the window
by Dave Pierre, Themediareport.com, September 2010
Joe Maher himself has appropriately said, "If you think it's tough proving an allegation from 30 years back, try disproving it."
- Accused Catholic priests left in limbo
by Daniel Burke, Religion News Service, May 5, 2010
But other priests aren’t so lucky, said Joe Maher, executive director of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a Michigan-based support group for accused priests. “I know priests who are living out of hotels, eating one meal a day,” he said.
- Attorney on Crusade
by Kim Ode, Star Tribune April 28, 2010
"I completely understand people when it comes to children who have been molested, whether by priests or family members," Maher said. "These cases happened not under the current Holy Father and not under current bishops, but they're put in the position of having to rectify what has happened and still minister to the people of God and lead them into heaven."
- St. Paul attorney on the front lines of church abuse crisis
by Tim Nelson, Minnesota Public Radio April 16, 2010
Maher concedes the Catholic Church has had problems. But he says Anderson is making a lucrative living exploiting those failings and intimidating church officials.
"The bishops and the insurance companies that represent the dioceses -- they're afraid of Jeff Anderson, in some sense," Maher said. "It's not a matter of justice. It's a matter of what are we going to have to settle for, (for) Jeff Anderson to go away." Joe Maher founded Detroit-based Opus Bono Sacerdotii eight years ago, to offer financial and personal support to priests accused of abuse.
by Matt C. Abbott, Renew America, March 28, 2010
"Just for the record though, I could not possibly help the thousands of priests that we have cared for since 2002 by myself. We have full time staff, part-time help and volunteers. I'm proud to have been associated with the fine organization of Legatus. When a priest needs help, we will do all we can to help him. Because of this, I have wiped out all of my savings, retirement, stock, etc. in order to keep the mission afloat. The compensation I receive fluctuates as needed to try to pay down the debt that I incur for the mission in order to keep the doors open through personal credit card debt, personal loans, and equity against my home, delaying my personal income tax payments, etc. Our financials are published on our Web site and show that we have run a deficit in funding every year since our founding and somehow we have to make up for that shortfall. We would be ecstatic if a major donor came forward and offered us a million dollars so we could normalize our salaries and pay our taxes on time!"
"...bishops and their staffs live in fear of prosecution, so they err on the side of harshness. Any accusation is thus credible. We are supposed to announce the Gospel with courage, but we are all alone. Any priest can be destroyed at any time.
'We are supposed to be able to depend on our bishops and we cannot. The people of the parishes are supportive, but we can be cut off from them and have our faculties withdrawn at the drop of a hat."
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Was priest falsely accused?
by Matt C. Abbott, Renew America, March 18, 2010
"As God is my witness, I swear as I swore on a Bible before the diocesan officials, these allegations are totally and completely untrue. My mind and my soul are bruised, beaten and trampled down. My parishioners are most supportive but I am not permitted to visit them and I cannot afford to call them by telephone. My health is not good and I had avoided many appointments with my doctors. This past Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were the worst emotionally devastating events I have ever had to endure. I was close to suicide. I suffer panic attacks, acute anxiety and severe depression. Worst of all, there is nobody that can really understand or share this onerous burden that I bear."
- Mercy Toward Our Fathers
Sr. Camille DArienzo August 18, 2008
Maher
argued that a large number of accused priests are innocent and that,
abandoned by bishops and laity, they are denied the resources to clear
their names. He spoke also of the need to give culpable priests
opportunities to reform and return to active ministry. And he said that
many victims who claim abuse are merely seeking financial gain, and
argued against the suspension of statutes of limitation in cases of
sexual molestation.
- Ciaroscuro: Year in Review: 2009
Karen A. Walker, The Official Catholic Directory, January 1, 2010
Although radically different in its focus from the goals of those groups comprising the emerging trend, Opus Bono Sacerdotii nonetheless exemplifies professional lay expertise brought to the service of priests and the priesthood.
- Helping Accused Priests Is His Calling
Sue Ellin Browder, National Catholic Register July 15, 2007
Worldwide,
how many priests have been removed from ministry? More than 5,000. The
problem, as I see it, is this: A priest is typically removed because he
cannot disprove an allegation.
by Matt C. Abbot, Renew America, April 15, 2008
'All that being said, and based on the thousands of priests' cases we deal with, and one new priest a day on average contacting us for help, Father Joe is in a state of crisis.
- He inspires fear in the church, hope for victims
KEVIN HARTER, Pioneer Press January 28, 2007
"Jeff
Anderson is not interested in reforming the church, but in the huge
cash settlements he will receive," said Joe Maher, founder of the
Detroit-based Opus Bono Sacerdotii (which means "work for the good of
the priesthood"), an organization that gives legal and financial
support to clergy accused of abuse. Maher uses words like
"unscrupulous" to describe lawyers such as Anderson who take on the
church. They "prey upon people with emotional disorders or unbalanced
lives" with promises of huge payoffs, he said. "Jeff Anderson has
developed a money-making machine."
- Accused Priest Hits Back With Lawsuit
Sue Ellin Browder, National Register Correspondent January 14, 2007
Are
false accusations on the increase? Joseph Maher, president of Opus Bono
Sacerdotti, a Detroit-based organization that works to help accused
priests, believes they are. “In this past year in particular, we’re
seeing a lot of accusations that are blatantly false,” Maher said.
Maher advises priests that “if it really is a false allegation, scream
it from the rooftops and never stop saying it.”
- More priests likely to sue
Manya A. Brachear, Chicago Tribune staff reporter December 03, 2006
"The
priests feel they are getting no hearing, no real defense, or real
opportunity to defend themselves in the church," said Joseph Maher,
president of Opus Bono Sacerdotii. They actually feel they are treated
more justly and fairly in the civil realm than they are in the church
realm," he said. Maher said the decision of whether to sue is difficult
for any priest. While he advises priests to avoid lawsuits, he
understands why some go that route. "Virtually every priest who has
been falsely accused, who can profess his innocence, has agonized over
this," Maher said. "Were not talking about somebody whos gone through a
divorce. When a priest is accused, its over. His entire life is gone
absolutely in totality. Theres nothing to compare to it."
- Children of the Church
Bernice Yeung, Legal Affairs Magazine October 02, 2006
"The
entire Code of Canon Law, the entire theology, is based on man's
redemption," explained Joseph Maher, the president and co-founder of
Opus Bono Sacerdotii, an organization that represents priests in
trouble. "The church looks at canon law in terms of helping the priest
to increase his desire to grow in Holiness and thus be saved and enter
Heaven."
- Accused, charged, exonerated – Ousted priest wages two-year battle to clear name, return to ministry
Gail Besse, National Catholic Register May 07, 2006
There
is one Detroit-based lay advocacy group for priests, Opus Bono
Sacerdotii (Work for the Good of the Priesthood), which gives referrals
and moral and spiritual support. And the Confraternity of Catholic
Clergy, based in Marysville, Pa., helps diocesan priests with
fellowship and formation. Father John Trigilio, its president, warned
against a “miscarriage of justice” by “over-reacting to the clergy sex
scandals by denying priests their natural right to due process, legal
defense and the presumption of innocence.”
- NFPC "This Week" October 2005
Fr. Bob Silva, National Federation of Priests Councils November 07, 2005
Recently
you received a request for donations from Opus Bono Sacerdotii so that
they could continue their work in support of priests needing legal
services. Here are some statistics you may be interested in...
- Priest advocate cites moral obligation
By PATRICK M. OCONNELL, Tribune Staff Writer October 29, 2005
Maher,
who says his organization has aided about 2,000 priests since the group
began in April 2002, calls the work "a calling from Christ. My heart
goes out to these guys," Maher said about priests accused of misconduct
who have been banished from public ministry.
- Questions answered about LeBrun letter
WNDU October 29, 2005
Parishioners
got the letter, asking for donations to help pay for Father Paul
LeBruns legal defense. Opus Bono wants to raise more than $100,000 for
LeBrun. The organizations sole purpose is to help priests accused of
sexual misconduct. Supporters of LeBrun contacted the organization
about a month ago asking for help.
- Letter seeks aid for accused priest
Gwenn OBrien and Patrick M. OConnel, The South Bend Tribune October 28, 2005
Maher
includes in the letter what appears to be a note from LeBrun himself,
who maintains his innocence. LeBrun has not publicly responded to the
charges. The note says:"I do not believe that God has placed me in a
situation wherein my only option is to lie. For me to accept a plea
bargain I must lie. I choose instead to try to prove the truth in
court. If I fail at trial I go to prison forever.
- Bishop says unauthorized group raising money for Arizona priest
Associated Press October 28, 2005
"Although
I make no statements as to Father LeBruns innocence or guilt, I do know
that everyone is entitled to a competent defense and the fact that he
is a Catholic priest with no personal financial resources makes it very
difficult for him," Maher said.
- Catholic parishioners asked to support LeBrun defense
Judi Lykowski, NewsCenter16 Reporter October 27, 2005
The
letter is from Joseph Mayor, the president of a Detroit organization
called Opus Bono Sacerdotii. It is a group trying to raise more than
$100,000 in defense money for Father LeBrun.
- Blind Eye Unto the Holy See
An SF Weekly Investigation by Ron Russell July 13, 2005
Jenkins
says that he and others of the six-member panel were especially
disturbed by reports that a "support group" for priests accused of sex
abuse had held meetings at the residence. (The founder of one such
group, Detroit-based Opus Bono Sacerdotii, confirmed recently that
Ingels is an "adviser" to it. "Father Ingels may be the best canon
lawyer in the United States, and were grateful to have him," said Joe
Maher. "Hes an excellent priest, a very holy man, and hes a great help
to us.")
- Work for the Good of the Priesthood
Joe Maher, Touchstone Magazine April 14, 2005
It
is said that once you have set out to do good and in particular to do
good for God, expect the unexpected––or, even more poignant, as one
friend quipped “prepare for the ride of your life!” Ride is probably a
good way to describe the emotional roller coaster of helping priests
accused of sexual abuse especially when one has the rather dubious
distinction of rallying support for even the most notorious of
so-called predator priests.
- Sex-abuse victims group protests Law's role
By GARY STERN, THE JOURNAL NEWS, April 12, 2005 April 12, 2005
Joe
Maher, the founder of Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a lay group that defends
the rights of priests accused of sexual misconduct, said in a statement
from Detroit that John Paul believed Law was sincere in his remorse.
"Cardinal Law, the repented sinner who has amended his life and has
been forgiven, like Christs Prodigal Son, has every right to the same
human dignity and freedoms of all," Maher said.
- Former Boston archbishop Law draws protests during Rome mass
BY STEVE KLOEHN, Chicago Tribune April 12, 2005
A
Detroit-based activist for priests rights, meanwhile, defended Laws
appearance, calling him a "repented sinner who has amended his life."
"Since John Paul II believed that Cardinal Law was sincere in his
remorse and repented for any wrongdoing or any harm he may have caused
to others, there is no reason why the cardinal cant celebrate mass,"
Joe Maher of the group Opus Bono Sacerdotii wrote in a news release
e-mailed to reporters.
- Two Americans protest role of Boston cardinal in Mass for John Paul
By Patricia Montemurri, Knight Ridder Newspapers April 11, 2005
Joe
Maher, a Detroit-area businessman who founded a support group for
accused priests called Opus Bono Sacerdotii, said Monday that Law had
apologized more than two years ago for his actions and should be
forgiven. Maher noted that Law, the only American to lead one of the
nine mourning Masses offered in the popes memory, was given the role in
his capacity as archpriest of St. Mary Major, not to single him out for
favor.
- He was true shepherd
Detroit News April 05, 2005
The
Holy Father had a choice. Pope John Paul II knew that the church
hierarchy and much of the operations of the church needed to be
improved, and that the people of the world needed a shepherd. He chose
to be a shepherd.
- Tending to Wayward Shepherds
Sarah Childress, Newsweek April 04, 2005
Joe
Maher never knows what to expect when he picks up the phone. Sometimes
theres a trembling pause before a priest, choking back tears, tells him
a disturbingly familiar tale: an accusation of sexual abuse, exile from
his community. Other times, theres a caller screaming obscenities,
furious that Maher would even speak to these "sinners." A
mild-mannered, devout Roman Catholic, Maher is the founder of Opus Bono
Sacerdotii—Latin for "Work for the Good of the Priesthood"—the only lay
advocacy group for priests accused of sexual misconduct. Some of the
priests seeking help are likely innocent, others are not. But Maher
believes in supporting them all. "Priests are out there destitute,
abandoned and desperate," he says. "And they need help."
- After Norms, Debate Rages
by WAYNE LAUGESEN, National Catholic Register Correspondent March 13, 2005
“The
whole concept of zero tolerance is inappropriate,” says Maher, who
founded Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a Detroit-based organization devoted to
defending priests. “The Church is founded on conversion and redemption
of the sinner. We’re always taught ‘love the sinner but hate the sin.’
We’re taught that conversion is the foundation and mission of the
Church. Thus, redemption is the whole goal so we can get to heaven, and
zero tolerance is completely contrary to Catholic teaching and
Scripture.
- Accused priest suing Hughes for defamation
The Times-Picayune, By Bruce Nolan, Staff writer February 11, 2005
"Priests
feel completely abandoned by their bishops -- thrown to the wolves, so
to speak," said Joe Maher, a Detroit businessman who founded an
organization that supports Catholic priests taken out of the ministry.
Whatever its merits, the process has left thousands of priests
"disheartened," said Maher, who runs the priest advocacy group. Maher
said he talks to a dozen priests and fields a hundred e-mails from
priests every day. His group, with 12 full-time volunteers who are
suspended priests, puts accused priests in touch with lawyers, sends
some a little financial support and offers them moral and spiritual
support. "Actually, we advise them against suing the bishop," he said.
"I dont think it helps a priests reputation anymore, and it certainly
doesnt help the lay faithful when they see priests suing bishops. "But
I completely understand when a priest goes that route. They feel like
theres nothing left to do."
By Joe Maher, America Magazine's Letters, November 15, 2004
In a recent issue of America, Archbishop Harry Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis reviewed the accomplishments of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (10/18). While there is much to praise in his article, I would respectfully but emphatically disagree with two arguments he made.
By Patricia Montemurri and David Crumm,
Detroit Free Press,
June 18, 2003
Maher wants more help for accused priests and wants some of them returned to work. As the bishops discuss the crisis behind locked doors, Maher plans to move around the periphery, meeting quietly with bishops on behalf of accused priests during the 3-day meeting.
by David Schimke,
City Pages,
April 16, 2003
Joe Maher, founder of Opus Bono Sacerdotii (for the good of the priesthood), insists that opening the door wider for attorneys like Anderson will only result in an increasingly unmanageable caseload for both sides. Maher thinks it's naive for anyone to believe that civil attorneys who crave such a policy shift aren't just salivating at the bottom line.
When the Detroit police arrested one of his parish priests on rape charges, Joe Maher did not think twice. He drove to the Wayne County Jail and paid the $5,000 bail. Then he set about finding a top-notch lawyer and raising money to mount a vigorous defense. On Aug. 30, a Michigan jury acquitted the priest, allowing him to resume his calling and inspiring Maher to answer a new one. Quitting his job as a financial analyst, Maher, 42, founded a nonprofit group named Opus Bono Sacerdotii -- Latin for "Work for the Good of the Priesthood"
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