Seven years ago in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a Carmelite priest was arrested after he touched the buttocks of an 18-year old man. The perp-priest's name is Father Emmanuel Betasso (legally Patrick Anthony Betasso). He admitted to doing so for a "cheap thrill". He was 45 years old at the time and had just been named pastor of a parish - and was teaching a workshop for new pastors. I shudder to think of what that workshop syllabus contained, but I digress. The archbishop revoked his priestly faculties and the Discalced Carmelites suspended him.
Fast forward to the present. How in the name of heaven is Betasso on a "priest prayer list" for the DC province of the Discalced Carmelites? His name is number 10 in the "October" column. Given his history, how was he deemed fit by the Archdiocese of Washington to be granted faculties here? According to Cardinal Wuerl, all this abuse happened "decades and decades ago". Newflash! Seven years is NOT "decades and decades ago". Any adult male who gets a "cheap thrill" out of touching the private areas of anybody is a pervert. For the sake of his own soul, let alone the welfare of potential victims, he should not be in a position of trust that could allow him opportunities for abuse.
This "season of healing" promises to be quite the trial.
