A MAN who says he was molested by priests yesterday welcomed news that a Catholic bishop who called him a fantasist has retired.
Pat McEwan, 63, was branded an alcoholic and accused of “living in a fantasy world” by Bishop Joseph Devine after he came forward with allegations that he was raped as a boy between 1958 and 1961.
Pat said he was elated that the senior churchman had quit.
He added: “I’m delighted that he is gone. But his claim that I’m a fantasist is still there.
“He lacks compassion and is a very arrogant man. I do think his leaving now has a lot to do with my case.”
The bishop tendered his resignation last August when he turned 75 but he was asked to remain as the church looked for his replacement.
However, it was announced on Wednesday that he will now step down after 30 years in the job.
Devine’s aides said the timing had nothing to do with Pat’s case.
Yesterday, the Pope’s representative in the UK, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, visited Motherwell diocese to discuss Devine’s resignation. The bishop of Argyll and the Isles, Joe Toal, will take charge temporarily
I too am delighted that Joseph Devine is gone. My contacts in Motherwell also are overjoyed. The Catholics of Motherwell deserve far better than the type of "leadership" they have received over the past years. I am sure that Pope Francis will carefully discern the grave needs of this diocese; openness, transparency, faithfulness... The scandal of homosexual rape at Carfin, the cover-ups, the silence, the deceit - May God grant for Motherwell a holy bishop.
resignation?
ReplyDeletehe should be defrocked and put out on the street.