Of Puffery and Pulchritude: White-washing the Bad Bishops!

Have you ever noticed that diocesan "newspapers" are filled with puffery and pulchritude to make the diocese and the bishop look good? I usually glance at the headlines of The Arlington Catholic Herald and, every now and then, read an article, but for the most part, it's not worth the time. A standing joke with our previous bishop was to count how many of his photos graced the pages. Well, after all, the diocesan paper is the Catholic version of the celebrity fan magazine. Make the bishop look good.

That reality struck me with recent articles from local diocesan newspapers and blogs. The Catholic Standard of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. described the installation of Cardinal Robert McElroy as though they were present at the transfiguration. And, in fact, they are busy "transfiguring" the sex abuse enabler, McElroy, into the iconic image of a living saint and iconic pastor. 

Paula Grant in black blocks abuse
survivor, Rachel Mastrogiacomo, in 
blue to prevent contact with McElroy.

The reality is that McElroy covered up for McCarrick for years and has a history as a priest rapist enabler. During the entrance procession for the cardinal's D.C. installation, the diocese's communications director, Paula Grant, blocked a sex abuse survivor to prevent her having contact with the cardinal. 

Let's face it. All of the predatory bishops have their minions running interference for them. Unfortunately for the bishops, the number of Catholics now demanding transparency is increasing. Note in the video below the participation of theologian Janet Smith and Lepanto Institute head, Michael Hichborn challenging the fantasy of McElroy the good. Sooner or later (hopefully sooner) these evil villains will face the music for their crimes.

Rachel Maria Mastrogiacomo's story of rape and abuse is horrifying, as are all of the proven sex abuse crimes in the Church. Catholic blogger, Leila Miller, says this about Rachel's abuse:

“Her story is only the tip of the iceberg of depravity that exists in the underbelly (and the hierarchy) of the Church, perpetuated to this day by infiltrators who seek to harm, rape, pillage, pervert, and ultimately destroy Christ’s Bride. None of what happened to Rachel happened in isolation.” — Leila Miller

Msgr. Gene  Gomulka, a sex abuse advocate, also exposed the predatory-enabling behavior of McElroy:

McElroy has not only covered up for fellow homosexual clerics like McCarrick during his lifetime. Just before McElroy was installed as the Bishop of San Diego, Rachel Mastrogiacomo reported being satanically sexually abused by Father Jacob Bertrand to San Diego diocesan officials in 2014. Although Bertrand was removed from ministry in November 2014, he was allowed to return to ministry when McElroy assumed office on April 15, 2015. When Mastrogiacomo learned that McElroy returned Bertrand to ministry and that his dark deeds were being covered up, she filed a criminal complaint against Bertrand in Minnesota. Even though McElroy’s lawyers refused to cooperate with prosecutors, Bertrand confessed and was found guilty of sexual misconduct in the third degree, a felony offense. McElroy never reached out to Mastrogiacomo to apologize for Bertrand’s criminal behavior or for his failure to remove him from ministry. Mastrogiacomo believes that had she not appealed to the criminal court and exposed Betrand’s felonious behavior and McElroy’s cover-up, Bertrand might still be in ministry today and preying on other vulnerable virgins.

Bishop Joseph Strickland also took issue with McElroy's promotion to Washington, D.C. releasing a public statement earlier this month:

As shepherds of Christ’s flock, bishops are called to be vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of the Church and the souls entrusted to our care. It is with deep concern and a profound sense of duty that I address the appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy to Washington, D.C., a decision that raises serious moral and pastoral questions.

It is sadly instructive to consider that Pope Francis removed Bishop Strickland from the Diocese of Tyler Texas, a man whose integrity is unquestioned, and has promoted many bishops notorious for covering up sex abuse. Wilton Gregory, the previous bishop of D.C. and Robert McElroy, the newly installed bishop, are two peas in a pod, rotten peas in fact. 

It's long past time for the laity to demand transparency. Many Catholics are calling for the government to investigate the Church for RICO violations. I applaud the move. Catholic Charities is a scandal, an organization talented at picking the pockets of parishioners in the pew and stealing billions from the taxpayers with the pretense they serve the poor. The programs for the poor are dwarfed by administrative expenses and enabling the illegal invasion of our country.

I'll stop here, but tomorrow I'm writing about an article in my own diocesan newspaper, one that whitewashes Catholic Charities. It's time to expose the venality of the "charitable" programs that support and advance the evil agenda of the Left even to the degree of getting pro-abortion advocates elected to Congress. Catholic Relief Services is just as bad. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is notorious!

The Church, indeed, is filled with the stench of the smoke of Satan! It's time to open the windows, turn on the fans of truth, and beg the Holy Spirit to clean house! Some of our bishops do more to undermine and destroy the faith than any secular enemy could ever do!