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November 3, 1994
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL William Cardinal Keeler, D.D. J.C.D. Archbishop of Baltimore President, N.C.C.B. 320 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Dear Cardinal Keeler:
I am writing to you in regard to a matter of vital importance to the moral and fiscal well-being of the U. S. Catholic Church.
Before I elaborate, however, I ask that you picture yourself as being in a position of authority similar to the one you presently occupy, but it is the 1950's or 1960's. One day, you receive a letter from a reputable Catholic psychologist or psychiatrist who states that he's uncovered a psychological condition which he believes is more prevalent among Catholic priests than anyone has yet imagined. He goes on to state it is highly probable the few cases he is aware of (you are aware of others) are only the proverbial "tip of the iceberg." He further states that the cases he knows of were mishandled (the priests involved were merely transferred) and he concludes with the opinion that this psychological condition, pedophilia, will not go away on its own, but rather will require in–depth study, testing and intense, long–term treatment previously unheard of within the Catholic Church.
I don't know if something along those lines occurred back then but, if it did, that concerned Catholic professional was either totally ignored or (more likely) given the brush–off, i.e., "Thank you for your concern. I am referring your letter to (whoever) as information and for any follow–up deemed warranted..." or words to that effect. Whether it did or didn't occur, we know the Church didn't give the priest–pedophile problem proactive attention until the media gave it intense, widespread coverage. You know better that I what that postponement cost the Church in terms of moral degradation as well as financial settlements and damaged credibility.
The condition I now bring to your attention, Cardinal Keeler, is embezzlement from the Sunday collection, the Church's single most important source of revenue. As you know, the Church has no effective system in place to either deter or detect surreptitious thefts from the Sunday collection. As a retired criminal investigator (see enclosed resume), I can assure you the absence of effective security measures virtually guarantees that repetitive embezzlements will occur and, in an organization of this size, the cases that come to the surface are merely the tip of the previously referenced iceberg. I am enclosing summaries of a few such cases, as information. Undoubtedly, you have access to others that did not reach the media.
Before security over any Sunday collection can be deemed adequate, appropriate security equipment and procedures must be applied so that no one – not even the pastor – has lone, unobserved access to those funds or any portion thereof at any time. This embargo must begin immediately after the collection is taken up (when it is consolidated at the rear of the church) and must remain intact and absolutely unbroken until the collection has been processed and properly deposited in the bank. As you know, the Church does not even come close to meeting that criteria!
In addition to losing tens of millions of dollars annually, you must recognize that we are talking about a moral evil – temptation to sin – which is well within your power and that of your brother Bishops to eliminate or at least greatly reduce. I happen to have the cure for this problem, but the really important issue is whether anyone in authority is even willing to admit that the problem exists. Seven years of brush–offs tell me they're not, and I'm now at your doorstep to see if you will be the one who finally confronts the reality of this evil and takes positive action.
I'm sure some of the fears that kept your predecessors from confronting the priest–pedophile tragedy are present in this situation. Obviously, an unknown number of pastors and priests supplement their income from undeposited Sunday collection funds. Certainly, many previously undiscovered embezzlements will surface with implementation of secure procedures; some of them will reach the media, much to your/our embarrassment. And a number of parish volunteers will be insulted by the implications of security – the embezzlers will be especially vociferous. But in spite of the "negatives", it should be as clear to you as it is to me, Cardinal Keeler, that the cure is in no way, shape or form worse than the disease!
I'm convinced the phenomenon of Sunday collection embezzlement is pandemic. You may believe it is something less than that, but the point is: we both know it exists and will continue to exist unless and until someone like yourself subjugates his organizational pride, girds himself and takes positive action. I stand ready to assist, but the "ball" is in your court. I pray that God will grant you the wisdom to see what must be done and the courage to do it.
Most sincerely,
[signed] M. W. Ryan
RESPONSE SUMMARY
Apparently, the Cardinal did not deem this letter worthy of a response. |
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