Reply to the Washington Post article on Archbishop McCarrick

To the Editor:

I was somewhat dismayed by the January 9, 2019 reporting on the Vatican’s decisions about Archbishop Theodore McCarrick (https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/01/09/vatican-moves-quickly-toward-punishing-ex-cardinal-mccarrick-sexual-abuse/?utm_term=.3625a125b625). This action stands in stark contrast to the treatment of ordained priests who wish to marry.

First, there was nothing “swift” about the action. Reports of McCarrick’s “shenanigans” were widely known throughout the clerical and even lay circles in the diocese. It was common knowledge starting in the early 1990’s that the Archbishop would invite more seminarians to his vacation home than there were beds to sleep in. His rape of minors is unconscionable. Reports to the Vatican date back to the early 2000’s. In contrast, my husband, Ralph made an appointment with the Archbishop (not McCarrick) in 1974 asking to remain a priest but also get married. He was shown the door and his health insurance was cancelled before he could return to the rectory.

Second, Archbishop McCarrick was defrocked because over the course of dozens of years, he coerced seminarians to sleep with him. Outside of church protection, this is a crime. In contrast, Ralph was defrocked because he wanted to marry the woman he loved and raise a family in the catholic tradition.

Thirdly, Archbishop McCarrick was ordered to retreat to a friary in a remote Kansas town to live in prayer seclusion and penance. Ralph was instructed to move at least 40 miles from his last parish; forbidden to serve in any parish activities; required never to tell anyone that he was ordained.

Lastly, the action of someone being “defrocked” is defined as reducing the individual to the lay state. This implies that priests hold a higher position than baptized catholics. This is clericalism at its worst and is at the root of the problem.

CORPUS, the National Association for an Inclusive Priesthood represents the over 35,000 priests in the United States who have been forced to resign in order to pursue marriage.  The vast majority of members have similar experiences with the same restrictions imposed on them. 

It is time that our church opens its heart, soul and records to civil authorities to cleanse ourselves of this sinful behavior. It is time that our church re-examines priesthood as servant leaders who reflect the face of God. It is time that the church recognizes God’s hand in calling to the priesthood men and women, single and married, gay and straight.

Linda Pinto

(Linda serves as Co-Chair of CORPUS, the National Association for an Inclusive Priesthood)