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Summarized History of Scandal and DissentHistory In the early 1990’s the Diocese of Altoona Johnstown led the nation with one of the most high profile child molestation cases in recent history. What came to be known as the Luddy Case revealed a large homosexual priest network in which children were molested behind a vast cover-up by diocesan officials. The Case Francis Luddy was a diocesan priest who admitted to molesting six children including a member of the Hutchinson family. The Hutchinson family brought suit in 1974 on behalf of two children who were molested by Luddy. The older brother who Luddy admitted to molesting dropped his case while his mother and younger brother continued with theirs. The case which dragged on for months revealed that there were a number of practicing homosexual priests who had raped and molested children through out the diocese. The Cover-up The case showed that the Bishop at the time Bishop James Hogan had been well aware of the problems with child molestation. He had repeatedly reassigned priests to new parishes. Priests who had asked for help with their homosexuality were told that they needed to be kept busy. Some were asked to carry on their homosexual activities outside the diocese. Even during the trial diocesan priests continued to pick up children. Bishop Hogan even sent a letter to one problem priest asking him to lay low so as to not jeopardize the diocese's outcome. Bishop Hogan retired right before the case came to court and his replacement Bishop Joseph Adamec was now in charge. Bishop Adamec had the opportunity to correct years of child molestation and priests who were sexually active but that was not to be the case. Clouds of Corruption Bishop Adamec had entered the Diocese under a cloud of suspicion. Immediately prior to being consecrated Bishop, Adamec had been in charge of the finances of a lay organization. It was implied that Adamec raided the coffers and donated over a million dollars to the church. In 1996 a Catholic newspaper reported that he was referred to as a simonic Bishop. His appointment as Bishop immediately followed, and Bishop Adamec went on the offensive. Rather than settle the case for a reported $350,000 (See Costs) the Diocese decided to go to court. First they used the power of the diocese to discredit the Family. Under oath Luddy had admitted to molesting one member of the family but the diocese launched a counter suit and ran newspaper ads to convince to public otherwise. Legal Disaster It was the Diocese’ continual denials of their actions that convinced the Jury that they were lying. The Diocese had tried every legal maneuver to keep the case from the public. They were successful in having the case sealed for many years hoping interest would die down. They also limited the plaintiffs investigation to the years around the molestation which allowed the diocese to hide numerous other child molesters and homosexually active priests. The Diocese deceit and cover-up came at a great price. The secret archives that the diocese had maintained became public record which did reveal almost a dozen other homosexual priests and child molesters. Over ten victims came forward and revealed that this priest had molested many children in the rectory in some cases hundreds of times. The judgment would be brutal and staggering. The Costs Rather than compensate the Hutchinson’s for Luddy’s admitted crimes the Diocese has paid over 1.5 million dollars in legal fees. The court citing the obvious molestation history rendered a one million dollar judgment and penalties for the obvious delay tactics. The diocese is still fighting a one million dollar punitive award. In summary the diocese has spent almost 4 million dollars rather than pay a reported $350,000 for an admitted child molester. A Homosexual Establishment By the time Bishop Adamec came to Altoona a homosexual subculture was well established in the Diocese. They had helped Bishop Hogan hide their molestations for many years and they were now in positions of influence. Adamec would prove to be an ardent supporter for Homosexual priests. The Diocese first had to address the most serious child molesters. Some of these men had become public embarrassments, and one had been arrested for molesting an animal in a parking lot. Some of these men were removed from the priesthood which gave the impression that the problem had been solved. In reality the diocese continued shuffling child molesters to unsuspecting families. These men and active homosexuals were put into positions of authority throughout the diocese. They promoted a pro -homosexuality ideology in the diocesan newspapers and the local press. Goodbye Good Men A Nationally acclaimed book asserted the claim that orthodox priests candidates were being weeded out from the priesthood. The Altoona diocese was a classic example. The head of Vocations hired an intake psychologist who openly supported homosexuality to screen for priest candidates. Orthodox candidates were made to feel “too conservative”, and seminarians were sent to Seminaries known for homosexuality. Local priests were openly contradicting the Church’s teaching and promoting homosexuality as acceptable in the newspapers and at a local college campus. Local Catholic Laymen saw this rapid escalation supporting homosexuality. Their cries to the Bishop went unanswered for years so they decided to defend the Church on their own with a newspaper article repeating the Church’s teaching on homosexuality. The Diocese now sprang into action to support Homosexuality and discredit theVaticans teachings.Dr. Brown who was employed by the diocese to critique our seminarians attacked the Church’s teaching with the support of the diocese. The Bishop wrote an article changing the Church’s teaching on homosexuality and shuffled problem priests. Today, A Nationwide Scandal When victims Nationwide came forward to expose what is now a nationwide problem of homosexual priest and child molesters the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese came to light. Since the nearly 15 years since the Luddy trail people had the impression that Altoona – Johnstown was molester free. In fact Bishop Adamec came forward to present our Diocese as a model example to follow. The Victims and Laity knew better. The Luddy case was now unsealed exposing the depth of a problem the Diocese had kept hidden. Priests who were accused of molesting children 15 years ago had simply been reassigned. Victims who had heard the Bishops comments were enraged. Bishop Adamec had moved child molesters for years and put active homosexuals into key diocesan positions . Rather than address the problem he had become part of it. He has promoted and hid this activity and coupled with his history of simony there is little he can do about it. His priests have too much “dirt” on him. Rather than a Shepard he has become more like a gang leader. The defense mantra is the same as fifteen years ago “We didn’t know then what we do now” while in reality we know that to be false. The Bishops Guidelines established criteria to remove men who were reasonably accused of child molestation. This criteria is being ignored in our diocese as seen in Bishop Adamec’s own testimony. Over 20 priests have been identified as being sexually active with the majority being homosexual. Fifty percent of these men are accused of molesting children. The Bishop is using the cover of Sick Leave to remove priests or retire admitted molesters. The problem is sexually active priests and child molesters who are hidden by the Diocese. The Bishop does not see this as a problem so we have priests on the internet (Some of our priests have been caught on the homosexual internet sites and in chat rooms. One of which maintained a profile which indicated he liked young men and sucking.) who look for their next prey. People are looking at this as a unique and rare problem but that is not he case. We are not dealing with a small group of pedophiles but rather sexually active men who digress to younger men. No one is surprised when they read about men who like younger girls and get in trouble for having sex with then after meeting them at bars. This is not a unique problem of child molestation. These are priest who are sexually active like to drink and like their heterosexual counterparts molest adults and children. The results of the homosexual priesthood has had devastating effects in this diocese. Here is a brief historical list of the problems reported:
Our children are continually at risk and since the Bishop no longer has the power to remove these men we can count on a diocese of perversion until he retires or is removed. We ask that you pray for our whole Diocese, all priests and victims. We also ask that you continue to support the holy priests who serve our Diocese Faithfully. Lastly, if you have information about abuse in our Diocese contact us so we can put an end to the lies, cover-ups and suffering which it causes. Be assured that any contact will remain 100% confidential unless you indicate otherwise. Contact Information: Email:
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