Posted on 08/12/2006 9:18:37 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SANTA ROSA
A Roman Catholic church official apologized Saturday for waiting several days to notify authorities about sexual abuse allegations against a priest, a delay that may have allowed the priest to flee to Mexico.
Bishop Daniel Walsh of the Santa Rosa diocese said in a one-page statement to parishioners he put "caution" before "doing the right thing" in handling the allegations against priest Xavier Ochoa.
Church officials say Ochoa admitted April 28 to sexually abusing a 12-year-old altar boy, but the allegations were not reported to Child Protective Services until May 1, and Ochoa disappeared the next day.
"I made an error in judgment by waiting to report Rev. Ochoas admission," Walsh wrote in the statement, distributed at Saturday Mass throughout the diocese, which stretches from Santa Rosa to the Oregon border. "I should have acted immediately, and not delayed. For this I am deeply sorry."
Ochoa, 68, was charged June 22 with 10 felony counts and one misdemeanor count of child sex abuse involving three alleged victims. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Walsh said the public admission could aid prosecutors in filing criminal charges against him.
Prosecutors said in July they were investigating whether church officials violated a state law requiring doctors, nurses, teachers and clergy members to immediately report child sex abuse claims.
"If I am found guilty for not taking immediate action, I will accept whatever punishment is imposed," Walsh said.
Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua told The (Santa Rosa) Press Democrat on Saturday he had not seen the letter and that the investigation was still pending.
Walsh said he lamented the damage his delayed reporting caused the church and wanted to admit his error.
"With this letter," he wrote, "I am choosing to step forward and admit my mistake because not to do so would only compound my original inaction and further tarnish all of our shared efforts over the past six years, in working to eradicate sexual abuse in the Church."
Doesn't pass the smell test.
Wasn't yours the gay bishop who ordained his male lover (who hadn't even gone to seminary), who in turn absconded with the diocesan treasury? Or was that the bishop before last? Frankly, I am amazed that there is anyone in Santa Rosa who would still admit to being Catholic. (In fact, this may be proof that the Holy Spirit keeps the Church going.)
Yes, he is another one of Roger's gang. I'm not expecting great things out of him, unfortunately, although some Freepers who were in his former diocese (Salt Lake City) posted that he was good there. So we shall see, I guess.
"...although some Freepers who were in his former diocese (Salt Lake City) posted that he was good there. "
While in SLC, I saw more liturgical shenanagans and less tradition than I have seen anywhere with the exception perhaps of Boise under Ryan, Tucson under Moreno, and Phoenix under O'Brien.
But then again, aren't these guys also Mahoney's boys?
I still say its time to go after the head of the snake.
I guess there is some variance of opinion on SLC, then!
I agree, Roger should have been gone a long time ago. He is the head of the snake, and St. John's at Camarillo is a hatchery. Mahoney was one of the famous "boy bishops" and he is still far from retirement age, unfortunately, so unless he does something so spectacular he has to be removed, I think he's going to be around for awhile.
"...I think he's going to be around for awhile."
Unfortunately you are probably right.
We do however need to continue doing our best to mitigate his influence.
Whenever his writings, conferences, etc. are used or reported favorably in our parishes we need to stand up and expose them for the evil which they are.
If I had the misfortune to live in the LA diocese, I would not contribute a dime and would probably attend SSPX or Orthodox Masses (exercising my rights under Canon Law to do so).
When I lived in Santa Rosa (years ago, when things were even worse), I did exercise my rights and attend an Orthodox Church. The Orthodox won't admit you to Communion, generally, but it was still a lot better than what was going on at the Catholic churches there.
I agree, Mahony should be called on his bizarre writings and actions. But nobody seems to be prepared to do this; furthermore, he is pretty good at knowing how far he can go and when he has got to leave his heretical ideas unstated (but understood).
"...Mahony should be called on his bizarre writings and actions. But nobody seems to be prepared to do this;.."
I heard Mother Angelica do this a few years ago.
We need a few folks wearing purple or red having the guts that she has.
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