The revelation by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich, Germany, speaking to the Papal summit on clergy sexual abuse on February 23, 2019, in which he indicated that files and documents relative to clergy sexual abuse were destroyed by Church authorities or never created at all when victim/survivors reported their clergy sexual abuse, is not surprising to Catholic Whistleblowers and Road to Recovery, Inc.
Both organizations have wondered for a very long time when there would be an admission by Church authorities that files and documents regarding clergy sexual abuse were mishandled, destroyed, or never created. Although Cardinal Marx referenced the practice in Catholic dioceses in Germany, it is the opinion of Catholic Whistleblowers and Road to Recovery, Inc. that the same practice was rampant in the United States and most likely in all countries. The following are examples of document destruction and possible document destruction in American dioceses and religious orders.
In November, 2010, Rev. John F. Doerfler, currently the Bishop of Marquette, Michigan, was the Chancellor of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, when he admitted in a sworn deposition that the Green Bay Diocese destroyed clergy records beginning in 2007. The case for which he was deposed involved a Las Vegas, Nevada, lawsuit involving a Green Bay diocesan priest who was accused of sexual abuse of two minor males.
The recently-deceased Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey, Frank J. Rodimer, stated publicly and on the record that he destroyed thousands of pages of files from secret archives. It is believed that many of the destroyed files contained information about clergy sexual abuse.
In the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, where the former Bishop, Thomas L. Dupre, was credibly accused of sexually abusing minor boys, it was discovered that when Thomas L. Dupre was Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield, MA, he destroyed records of clergy sexual abuse. A whistleblower priest from the Springfield diocese who conflicted with Bishop Dupre on numerous occasions, reported that Bishop Dupre had destroyed files regarding clergy sexual abuse in the Springfield diocese.
Former Irish Christian Brother and whistleblower, Robert M. Hoatson, was told in approximately 1985 that a newly-appointed Province leader “cleaned out” the personnel files of the Eastern American Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Some of the information that was destroyed allegedly concerned sexual abuse by Irish Christian Brothers.
Recently, the five Jesuit (Society of Jesus) Provinces of the United States released the names of their members against whom, since the 1950s, there were credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults. In total, according to the Jesuits’ self-reporting, 1.9 percent of Jesuits were credibly accused of sexual abuse. This total is remarkably low, compared to the 4 percent provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding all priests in the United States during a comparable time period. Could the Jesuit percentage be low because of missing or destroyed files and documents?
Thus, Catholic Whistleblowers and Road to Recovery, Inc. call upon federal and state authorities to investigate the handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations that have been made against clergymen in the Catholic dioceses and religious orders operating within their jurisdictions.
Catholic Whistleblowers and Road to Recovery, Inc. Members:
Rev. James E. Connell, J.C.D., Milwaukee, WI – 414-940-8054 – connell.jim951@gmail.com
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., West Orange, NJ – 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com
Rev. John P. Bambrick, Jackson, NJ
Sr. Sally Butler, OP, Brooklyn, NY
Rev. Patrick W. Collins, Ph.D., Douglas, MI
Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, OP, J.C.D., Vienna, VA
Msgr. Kenneth E. Lasch, J.C.D., Pompton Plains, NJ
Rev. Ronald D. Lemmert, Peekskill, NY
Helen Rainforth, Lincoln, IL
Sr. Claire Smith, OSU, Bronx, NY
Rev. Bruce Teague, Boston, MA

On February 20, 2019, on the eve of the international Papal summit on clergy sexual abuse, Pope Francis issued a statement indicating that those who criticize the Church are engaged in the work of the devil.  The Holy Father’s words are unfortunate because, no doubt, he was referring to victim/survivors, advocates, and supporters who for decades have attempted to hold the Church accountable, especially members of the hierarchy who have covered-up, obfuscated, participated in, and enabled the sexual abuse of children.

It is outrageous that Pope Francis, after recently defrocking Cardinal Theodore Mc Carrick for his heinous sexual abuse of children and seminarians, would in any way blame anyone except himself, his predecessors, and his colleagues in the College of Bishops for the scandal of clergy sexual abuse that continues to infect the Catholic Church.  Doesn’t Pope Francis realize that the “devil” is within, not without? 

Pope Francis has indicated that his expectations are low for the international Papal summit with bishops from around the world which begins on February 21, 2019.  The Holy Father must revise his expectations, for if nothing substantive comes from the summit, the credibility of the Pope might be lost forever.  Unless Pope Francis and the bishops leave the summit on Sunday, February 24, 2019 with concrete solutions to very serious issues of clergy sexual abuse and accountability of the hierarchy, the Holy Father might be called upon to resign.

Catholic Whistleblowers and Road to Recovery, Inc., two advocacy organizations that assist victim/survivors of clergy sexual abuse and declare a preferential option for victim/survivors and their pursuit of justice, urge Pope Francis not to be distracted by foolish and unnecessary comments about “devil” critics; rather, he is urged to hold himself and the bishops of the world accountable for allowing the scourge of clergy sexual abuse to continue and flourish for so long.

Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., President                        
Road to Recovery, Inc.                                              
Livingston, New Jersey 07039                                  
862-368-2800                                                             
roberthoatson@gmail.com                                         

Rev. James E. Connell, J.C.D.
Catholic Whistleblowers
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(414) 940-8054
connell.jim951@gmail.com

​Despite receiving additional reports of sexual abuse of minors, two girls and one boy, at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has remained silent about the overall crisis of sexual abuse at Our Lady of Refuge Parish regarding two high-ranking members of the New York Archdiocesan clergy, especially recent allegations against the late Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh, who served as secretary to two Archdiocese of New York Archbishops, Cardinal Terence Cooke and Cardinal John O’Connor, for approximately six years
What
A press conference to announce that Cardinal Timothy Dolan has been silent about allegations of sexual abuse of at least one minor boy and two minor girls at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York, by two high-ranking priests of the Archdiocese of New York; Bishop John Jenik, whom he removed from ministry recently, and the recent allegations against the late Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh. All three victims are represented by Attorney Mitchell Garabedian of Boston, MA.
When
Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:30 AM
Where
On the public sidewalk outside Our Lady of Refuge Parish, 290 East 196th Street, Bronx, New York 10458
Who
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; and, Michael J. Meenan, a clergy sexual abuse victim/survivor of Bishop John Jenik at Our Lady of Refuge Parish who was found credible by the Archdiocese of New York.
Why
Cardinal Timothy Dolan has been confronted with additional allegations of sexual abuse from Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York, concerning the late Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh. He removed Bishop John Jenik from priestly ministry several weeks ago after allegations of sexual abuse against a minor boy at Our Lady of Refuge Parish were found credible. On or before January 9, 2019, Cardinal Dolan learned about the sexual abuse of two minor girls against the late Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh when he was assigned to Our Lady of Refuge Parish. Cardinal Dolan has yet to issue an adequate statement and apology to the victims which would validate their claims and allow them to heal, and demonstrators will urge Cardinal Dolan to do so.
Contacts
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250 (office) – 617-388-5252 (cell)
mgarabedian@garabedianlaw.com
(portrayed in the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, “Spotlight”)

Road to Recovery, Inc. – P.O. Box 279, Livingston, New Jersey 07039 - 862-368-2800
A deceased former high-ranking priest of the Archdiocese of New York, Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh, who served as secretary to two Cardinals, Terence Cooke and John O’Connor, and who has never been publicly named before, has been accused by two biological sisters from a Catholic family of childhood sexual abuse when Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh served as a priest at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York, from approximately 1972-1977
MEDIA RELEASE – JANUARY 8, 2019
Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh, who died in 1999, has been accused of sexually abusing two (2) minor girls (biological sisters) when he was assigned to Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York.
[Bishop John Jenik of the New York Archdiocese was recently removed from priestly ministry based on a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor boy at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York]
WHAT
A press conference announcing that Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh, former secretary to Cardinal Terence Cooke and Cardinal John O’Connor from approximately 1978 -1984, has been accused of sexual abuse of minor girls when he was assigned to Our Lady of Refuge Parish from approximately 1972-1977.
WHEN
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 11:30 am
WHERE
On the public sidewalk in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue between East 50th and East 51st Streets, Manhattan, New York City
WHO
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; and Michael J. Meenan, who was recently found credible regarding childhood sexual abuse allegations against Bishop John Jenik when Fr. John Jenik was assigned to Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York
WHY
Courageous sexual abuse victim/survivors of clergy, including high-ranking clergymen from the Archdiocese of New York, continue to come forward to report that they were sexually abused as children in parishes, schools, and institutions in the New York Archdiocese. Two biological sisters from a Catholic family from Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx have alleged that Msgr. Charles G. Mc Donagh, who served for several years as secretary to Cardinals Cooke and O’Connor, sexually abused one of the girls from approximately 1972-1976 when she was approximately 14-17 years of age, and the other girl from approximately 1972-1977 when she was approximately 7-12 years of age. Msgr. Mc Donagh was assigned to Our Lady of Refuge Parish in the Bronx, New York, from approximately 1972-1977.
CONTACTS
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250 (office) – 617-388-5252 (cell)
mgarabedian@garabedianlaw.com
(portrayed in the 2016 Academy Award-winning Best Picture, “Spotlight”)

MEDIA RELEASE DECEMBER 22, 2018

​​Road to Recovery, Inc. – P.O. Box 279, Livingston, New Jersey 07039 – 862-368-2800
 
It is time for Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan to resign as Archbishop of New York for reportedly keeping a credibly accused New York Archdiocesan priest, Fr. Donald G. Timone, in ministry despite knowing about and settling the claim of Timothy Murphy who was a childhood sexual abuse victim of Fr. Donald G. Timone in Millbrook, New York.   The report of the sexual abuse by Fr. Donald G. Timone by Timothy Murphy should have resulted in Fr. Timone’s removal in 2003.
 
There is no excuse for Cardinal Timothy Dolan reportedly leaving Fr. Donald G. Timone in active priestly ministry since the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program he initiated found the claim of Timothy Murphy credible and settled the claim reportedly for $150,000.00.  Fr. Donald G. Timone should have been permanently removed from ministry in 2003 and definitely in 2017
 
MEDIA RELEASE – DECEMBER 22, 2018
 
What
A press conference calling for the resignation of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan as Archbishop of New York for reportedly allowing a credibly accused pedophile priest, Fr. Donald G. Timone, to remain in priestly ministry at least since 2017 when he was credibly accused of sexually abusing Timothy Murphy in Millbrook, New York
 
When
Sunday, December 23, 2018 from 9:30 am until 11:30 am
 
Where
On the public sidewalk in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue between East 50th and East 51st Streets, New York, New York 10022
 
Who
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., former priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, victim/survivor of clergy sexual abuse, and co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families
 
Why
According to a New York Times article of December 20, 2018, Cardinal Timothy Dolan reportedly failed to remove from priestly ministry Fr. Donald G. Timone, who was credibly accused in 2003 and again in 2017 of sexually abusing Timothy Murphy in Millbrook, New York, leaving children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults in the Archdiocese of New York and elsewhere unsafe and at risk of being sexually abused.  There are no exceptions for Cardinals who reportedly cover up clergy sexual abuse, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan must submit his resignation to Pope Francis immediately or be fired by Pope Francis immediately.
 
Contacts
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com
 

​
Media Release December 21, 2018

Road to Recovery, Inc. – P.O. Box 279, Livingston, New Jersey 07039 – 862-368-2800
 
Msgr. Desmond O’Connor, currently Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Kingston, New York, who, according to a December 20, 2018 New York Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/nyregion/reverend-donald-timone-sexual-abuse.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage),along with an Archdiocesan attorney, interviewed an alleged clergy sexual abuse victim of Fr. Donald G. Timone in 2003, reportedly acknowledged the claim of Timothy Murphy, apologized to him, and offered to pay for his counseling.  But, the Archdiocese of New York never removed Tim Murphy’s alleged abuser from ministry, Fr. Donald G. Timone.  Timothy Murphy took his own life at the age of 61
 
That same year, 2003, Fr. Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., reported to Msgr. Desmond O’Connor, Director of Priest Personnel for the Archdiocese of New York, that Fr. John P. O’Brien, who was then pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Scarsdale, New York, had sexually assaulted him after a “counseling session” in approximately 1979 when both Fr. Robert M. Hoatson (a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey) and Fr. John P. O’Brien ( a priest of the New York Archdiocese) were members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers (Irish Christian Brothers).  Msgr. Desmond O’Connor refused to treat Fr. Robert Hoatson’s claim seriously and did not help him heal or recover.  At the time of the alleged sexual assault, Br. Robert Hoatson was approximately 27 years old.
 
What
A press conference and demonstration announcing that Msgr. Desmond O’Connor reportedly refused to act fairly and justly in at least two claims of clergy/religious sexual abuse in 2003 and reportedly did not recommend that either of the abusers in the claims should be removed from ministry.  He must be removed from ministry because of his lack of action regarding two clergy sexual abuse claims.
 
When
Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM (Press conference at 5:00 PM)

Where
On the public sidewalk outside St. Joseph’s Parish, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, New York 12401
 
Who
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., former religious brother (23 years), former priest (14 years), victim/survivor of multiple acts of clergy and religious sexual abuse, and co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families
 
Why
Br. Robert M. Hoatson, CFC, was a novice at the Christian Brothers Novitiate, Santa Maria, on Route 9W in the hamlet of West Park which is part of the Town of Esopus, New York, a few short miles from St. Joseph’s Parish in Kingston.  It was at Santa Maria Novitiate in approximately 1971-1972 that Br. Robert M. Hoatson, CFC, who was approximately 19 years of age, was sexually abused by his novice master, Br. Joseph Mark Clark, CFC.  Br. Hoatson taught religious education at St. Joseph’s Parish in Kingston (approximately 1971-1972) and took his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience at St. Joseph’s Parish in Kingston (approximately 1974) where Msgr. Desmond O’Connor is now Pastor. 
 
In approximately 1979, then Br. Hoatson asked to see then Br. O’Brien to report and receive support regarding sexual abuse by two Christian Brothers, including his novice master, Br. Joseph Mark Clark, who is deceased.  After the “counseling session” with Br. O’Brien, Br. Hoatson went to sleep in his parents’ home and Br. O’Brien was invited by Br. Hoatson’s parents to spend the night.  During the night, Br. O’Brien crawled into Br. Hoatson’s bed while he was asleep and sexually assaulted him.  Robert Hoatson’s claim against then Br. John O’Brien was found credible in the Irish Christian Brothers’ bankruptcy proceedings in approximately 2013.
 
Msgr. Desmond O’Connor, in 2003, told then Fr. Hoatson, that he was a willing participant in the sexual relations with then Br. O’Brien since he was a young adult and should have known better.  Msgr. Desmond O’Connor refused to assist then Fr. Robert Hoatson with any counseling or other services.  Fr. John O’Brien, who is deceased, was never removed as Pastor of St. Pius X Church in Scarsdale, New York.
 
Msgr. Desmond O’Connor must be removed as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Kingston, New York immediately for mishandling at least two cases of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New York.
 
Contact
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc., - 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com