by Ryan A. MacDonald
A new chapter has begun in the
story of accused Catholic pr1ests, but some in SNAP and VOTF seem frantic to
suppress it. Why fear the truth?
Last month, I was
invited by the editors of These Stone Walls to write a "Special Report" about a new development in the
case of Father Gordon MacRae, a priest of the Diocese of Manchester, New
Hampshire whom I believe - to a moral certainty - has been wrongly imprisoned
for nearly 18 years. My "Special Report" described new evidence
presented in a Motion for New Trial filed in the New Hampshire court system.
The legal documents are posted in their entirety at the website of the National Center for Reason and Justice, and they are most compelling.
In the weeks to
follow my brief report, David F. Pierre, Jr., author of the book Catholic Priests Falsely Accused,
presented an equally compelling synopsis of the new evidence in the case of
Father Gordon MacRae in an "Exclusive Report" at The Media Report. If you
do not have time to review the extensive legal briefs and exhibits at the NCRJ
site, David Pierre's report provides a superb and accurate summary.
David Pierre’s "Exclusive Report" also had the effect of alerting some of the New Hampshire news
media to this emerging story. WMUR News in Manchester, New Hampshire ran a fair
and balanced account which can be viewed here. A few New Hampshire newspapers
covering the story were far less fair and balanced. The New Hampshire Union Leader blasted Fr. MacRae’s 1994 trial and
conviction in front page headline stories, but the recent news of new evidence
challenging the conviction was buried in a three inch blurb on page 10. The Keene Sentinel, the sole newspaper in
the community in which Father MacRae was tried and convicted in 1994, seemed
hampered by its policy of not printing names of accusers in reporting the new
evidence.
This is entirely
new, of course. Most New Hampshire
news outlets covered the 1994 MacRae trial with not only names, but photos, as
a pitifully sobbing Thomas Grover described his lurid tales of adolescent abuse
from the witness stand. What the news media did not see at that time was
something described by witnesses who later came forward. A therapist hired by Thomas
Grover's contingency lawyer was also in that courtroom. Two persons have
attested seeing her run her index finger over her eye and down her cheek
prompting Thomas Grover to begin sobbing. As Grover himself was reportedly
overheard saying to friends in the parking lot after trial, "I should get
an Academy Award for that performance!"
Indeed he should. There is substantial evidence today that
Thomas Grover and his brothers committed fraud and larceny, not just against
Father Gordon MacRae and the Diocese of Manchester - which was only too willing
to write checks without investigation – but against the court system itself and
the people of New Hampshire, including its news media. The citizens of New
Hampshire should be rightfully outraged at how these scammers got one over on them.
When all was said and done, Church settlements with the Grover family accusers
alone amounted to more than $600,000.00. Such fraud has been widely enabled by
the climate of Catholic scandal.
NOW COME THE VICTIM ADVOCATES
Sadly,
but predictably, the folks at the Bishop-Accountability website have ignored new
developments in this story. They were eager to publish all the dirt on Father
Gordon MacRae as it emerged in the great one-sided purge of Church settlement
files in 2002 in which every money-driven accusation was treated as
demonstrably true. However, more recent efforts to get Bishop-Accountability to
live up to its self-description as a clearinghouse for the story of accused
priests have met with silence. The Media
Report's "Exclusive Report" has not been published by
Bishop-Accountability. Several prior reports I have researched and published on
this case have also been provided to Bishop-Accountability for publication, but
without response. These include, "Truth in Justice: Was the Wrong Catholic Priest Sent to Prison?" and "Should the Case Against Father Gordon MacRae Be Reviewed?"
Just as predictably, the much-diminished New
Hampshire Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), along with a few members of the
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) have become a tag team
trying to stifle news of new evidence in the Father MacRae case. In their
predictably toxic comments following secular news reports of Father MacRae's
appeal, SNAP and VOTF members seem not only agitated by the new evidence, but
frightened by it. A member of New Hampshire Voice of the Faithful has waged a
one-woman propaganda campaign that has minimized and misrepresented the new evidence in the hope
that readers won't review it for themselves.
Meanwhile, a SNAP spokeswoman invited anyone who wants to
score a windfall settlement to accuse this priest anew to help halt the
momentum pointing to his innocence. The same formulaic comment by this one
SNAP member has followed hundreds of news articles about virtually every U.S.
priest who has been accused. Writing this single comment everywhere that will print it seems to be her full-t1me job.
And it demonstrates why the names of accusers should be publicized.
SNAP's usual spokesperson, David Clohessy, has been
silent, however, apparently busy defending himself against a court order that
he turn over all SNAP’s records, files, and financial reports. Mr. Clohessy emerged from that court
hearing to do what he does best in front of any TV camera that will point in
his direction: he cried. David Clohessy’s previous news sound bite about Father
MacRae described the imprisoned priest's efforts to obtain due process and fair
treatment as the work of “a dangerous and demented man.” This spoke volumes
about SNAP's agenda, and its corporate fear of any version of the Catholic
abuse narrative beyond the one they want the news media to report.
SNAP and VOTF discredit themselves and diminish their own
credibility by taking the position that no Catholic priests have been falsely
accused. Their attempts to minimize and cloud the emerging new evidence of
Father Gordon MacRae's innocence belies their true agenda which has nothing to
do with justice or truth or even protecting children. It is to control and manipulate the news in order to
characterize the Catholic Church and priesthood as lecherous offenders unworthy
of trust.
For the most part, SNAP and VOTF were once comprised of apparently
good and honest people who took on a cause they believed to be right. What they
have become, however, is a fearful lynch mob trying to influence justice
through revulsion instead of due process. It is time for Catholics and the
mainstream news media to give them the attention they deserve. Let the truth be
heard.
Related links:
To Azazel: Father Gordon MacRae and the Gospel of Mercy
Be Wary of Crusaders: The Devil Sigmund Freud Knew Only Too Well
Be Wary of Crusaders: The Devil Sigmund Freud Knew Only Too Well
As troubling as this information is, it comes as no surprise to me. When a man is found guilty solely on hype with no evidence at all, only continued hype would keep him imprisoned and keep the news media at bay. I have read the legal documents and trial transcripts in Fr. Gordon MacRae's case, and found no evidence whatsoever to support a conviction.
ReplyDeletePraise God, Dorothy... in all things. Thank You for Your efforts. I am so happy that You've posted that.
DeleteI agree with You, Dorothy. Praise God...I am so happy to see that You've posted the information regarding the fact that there is NO evidence, whatsoever, to support Fr. Gordon's conviction.
DeleteCome Lord Jesus...FREE THE INNOCENT CAPTIVES!
Thank You
Helen
Oh Bravo, Ryan McDonald. There was a book written several years ago by Bill Bennett, called the "Death of Outrage". It is not outrage that is dead, though, it is outrage at the outrage voiced and supported by the injust and base.
ReplyDeleteThe outrage that characterized Jesus's reaction to the merchants in the temple is nowhere in evidence in many dioceses of His Church.
It's pretty hard to match the heroism of those being slaughtered globally for their faith, with the bishops in this nation who'd rather stay on the good side of a thuggish media.
Bravo, Ryan McDonald!
ReplyDeleteBill Bennett wrote a book on the death of outrage. In fact it is not outrage that is dead, but outrage at injustice.
It is hard to accept that there are priests and religious dying for their faith in Egypt, China and many parts of the rest of the world, while so many dioceses in this country are inhabited by bishops who apparently place priority on currying the favor of a thuggish media and a hyper secular government.
Jesus drove out those in the temple who desecrated His Father's Church. God punished the ungrateful favored tribe from Israel, who in the Ancient Testament mixed with the unbelievers who practiced pagan idolatry and participated in decadence.
In our nation now it is better to dismiss both the Constitution and any belief in the Christian foundation of it, while accepting rituals, policies, and cradle to grave propaganda that have the intent of permanently eradicating both.
As I said, Bravo Ryan McDonald. Whether it was a slum bred nun who founded a global network, or a priest pursuing his faith in unthinkable pain and isolation, the re-emergence of faith is returning like clockwork, as it has every single time history has had rulers who think that they have just about consigned it to oblivion.
The story of a poor carpenter with no kingdom, no clever advisors and no influence to leverage his mission of pure love just doesn't go away, when it is the only story that is a manual for how to pursue a perfect life as a human being, the only creature made in God's image. Hence, every human is sacred from conception to natural death, with God's mantle over the humble who suffer persecution, such as Father Gordon.
God bless you, Ryan, and keep watch over you and Father.
Dear Father,
ReplyDeleteAs long as the Judicial Institution may be used to make money exclusively and that the Court will not abandon the ambient ideology that presumes all Catholics to be potential perverts, miscarriages of justice will not diminish...
Indeed, ideology should be firmly excluded from the Court.
Keep being patient and courageous!
In Caritate Christi per Mariam (Mediatrix of all graces)
I am champing at the bit to hear that the motion for new trial has been granted. The evidence in Father MacRae's favor seems overwhelming. In the event that (God forbid) the decision goes the wrong way, can it be appealed to another judge? I think in California it could.
ReplyDeleteHave you read "Mean Justice," by Edward Humes? Father's case reminds me a little of the Kniffen case, but with many toxic layers pertaining to the Catholic Church being added. I hope and pray this case has the same outcome as Kniffen, where a courageous judge summarily set the Kniffens free.
The role Father's superiors played in his conviction and imprisonment is hard to bear, although nothing will ever pry me loose from Holy Mother Church. Father MacRae has set a shining exammple in that respect.
These comments are most insightful, and demonstrate a sensitive awareness of the state of just in the United States. To answer the question about Fr. Gordon's appeal, of course prosecutors are actively opposing it. My understanding is that he does have additional appellate avenues available to him and his lawyers in both state and federal courts. Thank you so much for your support in words and in prayer for this wrongly imprisoned priest.
ReplyDeleteAs a victim and survivor, I can only commend the efforts of those representing SNAP and VOTF. In addition, I completely agree with due process for any accused clergy member. In any legal forum there will always be those whom feel that they can get away with fraud and it hurts the church, the accused clergy, the victims, and the victims representatives. We all need to realize the actual issue at hand and create safe guards to better filter out the fraudulent so more time can be spent reaching out to those still suffering. Fraudulent accusers should face an equal punishment to the charges the accused would have or have faced.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I know that Fr. Gordon MacRae has been contacted at These Stone Walls on numerous occasions by adult victims of sexual abuse by priests and others who are outraged at the great insult they have experienced by the proliferation of false claims. However, many of these comments, which I have seen, show that they are also put off by the tone and methods taken by SNAP and VOTF who they today feel have not promoted healing, but only vengeance.
DeleteRyan
I agree with you completely. I also understand the venue in which we are discussing this. So I can also imagine that you understand we are dealing with a two handed sword where I, as a legitimate victim, with evidence, have dealt with equal dismissal from those of faith. I've personally spoken with the heads of the fore mentioned groups and feel those I spoke with had my best interests in mind-what it simply comes down to is to is that we need to weed out the frauds and the abusers so we can move on with healing.
DeleteGod bless you with healing and ability to forgive...which is not a small thing...but a mighty thing...Anonymous.
DeleteI am not Catholic but I am a christian...I have always thought that putting leaders on pedistles is a problem. My pastor never closed a door... or there was a window through which he could be observed when counseling...he would not have it any other way. And I never left my children in the hands of people I did not get to know...did not take for granted anyone...that took diligence on my part...and not putting anyone on a pedistal.
It is a terrible thought though... that someone innocent would be swept up...in a need to identify an otherwise serious problem.
Our founders made a good system...with checks and balances because they knew what persecution or unfair courts could be like...so they made escape hatches...you can be provided counsel...you can appeal...etc. But it only works as well sometimes as the morality of those accusing...or of those on the bench passing judgment. Is justice being sought...or is some more sinister thing at large...that looks not at all for true justice.
Speak, write, pray that a wave of heartfelt tears for true justice come over this nation...who sometimes needs her garments washed again.
Mr MacDonald,
ReplyDeleteWhat we can we laity do to help? We pray always, and will continue to do so. Is there anything else we can do? Someone we can call? This really needs to be corrected. Father Gordon needs to be released, this is awful. Please advise.
Thank you,
Cheralyn
Thank you, Cheralyn. This is a very good question. The most important thing readers could do right now is help spread the word about this case. You could help by sending links to this blog via Facebook and other social media and throughout the vast Catholic on-line world. You could also help a great deal by sending to others a link to These Stone Walls which in my opinion is an extraordinary website. God bless.
DeleteRyan
I shall continue to pray for Fr Gordon.J.Macrea,to St Anthony,St Joseph,St Michael
ReplyDeletePrayers to the Lord that Fr. Mac Rae will be freed and vindicated. SNAP is the work of the devil.
ReplyDeleteWell done Ryan!Our prayers are with you,Father MacRae and all falsely accused priests.
ReplyDeleteI shall continue to pray for Father Gordon MacRae and all
ReplyDeletefalsely accused priests.. I will pray for snap that their
days be few and Santan will take snap down with him and
all evil spirits that are trying to take on us the Catholic church.. Satan will never triumph. SNAP YOUR ARE SATAN.
Fank D.
usmc viet vet 70-71
MAG-16 DA NANG
SNAP and the vermin at B-A will end up in an unpleasantly warm vacation spot someday.
ReplyDeleteWhen our pastor was falsely accused (and exonerated), his name was smeared all over the place, but strangely I can't find the name of the POS accuser anywhere. I wish I knew, as I'd make him my personal hobby. SNAP continues to list Fr.'s name on their site.