TOM MONAGHAN’s “Invaluable” Cardinal Bevilacqua Accused by Grand Jury of Covering Up Sexual Abuse of Children

UPDATE: Bevilacqua ordered to appear in court

BREAKING NEWS:  August 4, 2011  Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Requests that Bevilacqua testify again– in spite of his “dementia”

Looking for  The Chronicles of Ave Maria©  ?

A Special Report

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

Benedict XVI must surround himself with holy men, morally capable of acting as ecclesiastical officials.

Dangerous Impostors

AVE MARIA, Florida- Following a long and painful investigation of the sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a Grand Jury has issued a final report stating  that they have no doubt that Cardinal Bevilacqua’s “knowing and deliberate actions during his tenure as Archbishop also endangered thousands of children in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.“  This endangerment included vulnerable and poor immigrant children from the Hmong community– an alarming fact, considering Bevilacqua’s experience, having served as Director of the Migration and Refugee Office in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Cardinal Bevilacqua

Cardinal Bevilacqua is one of America’s best known Roman Catholic Cardinals. He is also considered to be one of the most notorious protectors of dangerous sexual predators, in the history of the Catholic Church in America.

This “prince of the Church” served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1987-2003, after having served as Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1983-1987.

Bevilacqua arrived in Pennsylvania from his native New York, after serving in various positions under Bishop Mugavero, culminating with his appointment in 1980 as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

But Bevilacqua’s history of cover-ups is not limited to Pennsylvania.

Memos reveal that during Bevilacqua’s tenure as Auxiliary Bishop at the Diocese of Brooklyn,  he covered up and transferred an extremely dangerous predator, Father Romano J. Ferraro, who is now serving a life sentence.

Cardinal Bevilacqua  has been closely associated for many years with Tom Monaghan, the former pizza king who arrived in Southwest Florida a few years ago, with his controversial Ave Maria brand–  including the Town of Ave Maria and Ave Maria University.

Monaghan’s involvement with Cardinal Bevilacqua will be further discussed below.

But above all, this is a story involving some of the most horrendous and systematic crimes committed against the dignity of a human being:  the sexual abuse of children, and what some inside the Roman Catholic Church are willing to do to cover up the existence of these crimes.

It is a story that shatters hearts– not just because of the heinous nature of the crimes, but because these are crimes perpetrated against children, using God and the Church as a protective shield.

It is also a story about how some, who appear to be “pillars of the community”– who, on one hand, claim to be pro-life, and claim to stand in defense of the unborn– abuse them after they are born.

These are not just rapists of children, but impostors and hijackers of sacred causes.

Such is the hypocrisy of certain Catholics who profess to be “orthodox” “conservative” “liberal” or “progressive” –in order to attract followers.   They use these political and social labels in order to create a ‘cult of personality’ around them, and they actively use the media for their propaganda and puff pieces written by their beholden followers.

These are individuals whose repulsive, deceptive and dangerous practices are luring thousands to schools, organizations,  prayer groups, parishes, retreats, lectures, etc., — many times resulting in substantial monetary gain that allows them to continue their criminal and deceptive activities.

These individuals are not “orthodox” or “conservative”, “liberal” or “progressive”.

They are monsters.  They are dangerous– and they are organized.

The Cover-up:  Sexual Abuse of Children under the Tenure of Cardinal Bevilacqua, at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

A Final Grand Jury Report regarding the sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia  hit the public arena like a ton of bricks.

The Grand Jury recommended that three priests and a parochial school teacher be charged with the rape and assault of young children in their care.    This resulted in the arrest of 68 year old  Fr. Edward Avery, 64 year old  Fr. Charles Engelhardt, 47 year old  Fr. James Brennan — and 48 year old Bernard Shero (the teacher).  All were charged with rape, indecent sexual assault and other criminal charges.  A civil lawsuit has also been filed in the Court of  Common Pleas against Cardinal Bevilacqua, Cardinal Rigali and others.

The Grand Jury also voted to charge another priest, 60 year old Monsignor William Lynn, the former secretary to Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, with felony child endangerment.   The Grand Jury report describes how Monsignor Lynn endangered children, including the victims in the most recent cases– “by knowingly allowing dangerous priests to continue in the ministry in roles in which they had access to children.”

The grand jury investigation was followed by a compelling statement from the District Attorney, himself a Catholic.

This final Grand Jury report, dated January 21, 2011,  is the culmination of the first Grand Jury Report of 2005, which exposed the horrific history of sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The final Grand Jury accuses Cardinal Bevilacqua of covering up many of these horrific crimes.

Warning:  The following link will take the reader to excerpts from the Final Grand Jury Report, which contain painful descriptions of how these children were abused by some of these “pillars of the community”:  LINK

Edward Avery

On February 17, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said in an unsigned lead editorial that “it’s also clear the programs have fallen short of the stated goals of doing every possible [sic] to safeguard young people within the Catholic Church.”

“Fallen short”?  Absolutely.  These accused Church officials, as well as  those who are still hiding, have failed miserably– by inserting their shameful presence in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, current Archbishop of Philadelphia, also responded with the following sardonic statement:

“I assure all the faithful that there are no archdiocesan priests in ministry today who have an admitted or established allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against them.”

This statement by Cardinal Rigali  is terribly misleading, given the way in which the “Review Board” mishandled reports of abuse, dismissing the validity of the victim’s claims– as reported by the Grand Jury.

This pattern of treating victims like adversaries, and dismissing the validity and urgency of their claims is evident in a document issued under John Paul II’s papacy to the bishops of Ireland.  It exposes that the Church’s position on sexual abuse cases has been centered on hierarchical self-preservation.

[EXCERPT]:  In particular the issue of “mandatory reporting” [to law enforcement and civil authorities] gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and a canonical nature. — Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland – January 31, 1997

Vatican officials claim that the above letter to the bishops of Ireland has been “misunderstood”– and that they have moved past the above instructions; however, the damage is done.  We all know that the Catholic Church in Ireland is nearing collapse, after decades of hiding the brutal and systematic abuse of children.

The Grand Jury’s accusations of cover-up against Cardinal Bevilacqua are even more alarming, when considering that Cardinal Bevilacqua is also a lawyer, admitted to practice before the Courts of New York State, the Courts of the State of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Perhaps this explains why the first Grand Jury report dated September 15, 2005 compared Cardinal Bevilacqua’s behavior to that of other bishops who “looked to legalisms at the expense of decency” while they covered up sexual abuse.  (Page 5, Grand Jury Report, September 15, 2005).

EXCERPT:  “Even in 2002, Cardinal Bevilacqua continued to mislead the public and give false assurances. Cardinal Bevilacqua continued to try to hide all he knew about sexual abuse committed by his priests even in 2002, after the scandal in Boston drew attention to the problem nationally.” (Page 53, Grand Jury Report, September 15, 2005).

Tom Monaghan Finds Cardinal Bevilacqua “Invaluable”

Thomas S. Monaghan

Equally alarming is what happens outside the Church, while these scandals are being investigated.

Tom Monaghan founded Legatus– a Catholic rich business men’s club, which claims “To study, live and spread the Faith in [their] business, professional and personal lives.”    They have chapters in many cities.  Cardinal Bevilacqua became involved with Legatus as Ecclesiastical Advisor, almost from its inception, in approximately 1988.

Monaghan’s support and close involvement with Cardinal Bevilacqua (even calling the Cardinal “invaluable“) continued in spite of the first 423-page Grand Jury Report issued on September 15, 2005, which began as follows:

“This report contains the findings of the Grand Jury: how dozens of priests sexually abused hundreds of children; how Philadelphia Archdiocese officials– including Cardinal Bevilacqua and Cardinal Krol– excused and enabled the abuse; and how the law must be challenged so that it doesn’t happen again.  Some may be tempted to describe these events as tragic.  Tragedies such as tidal waves, however, are outside human control.  What we found were not acts of God, but of men who acted in His name and defiled it.”

886 Warnings About Cardinal Bevilacqua

The 2005 Grand Jury report mentioned Cardinal Bevilacqua’s name 784 times.  That’s 784 reasons to not promote Cardinal Bevilacqua– at the very least.

Now, the final Grand Jury reaffirms and accuses Cardinal Bevilacqua of covering up the sexual abuse.  This final report mentions Cardinal Bevilacqua’s name 102 times.

That’s a total of 886 warnings about Cardinal Bevilacqua.

But 886 warnings about Cardinal Bevilacqua will never change the opinion of those whose interest is centered on networking with the Church’s hierarchy.

Cardinal Bevilacqua’s egregious cover-up record as Auxiliary Bishop at the Diocese of Brooklyn, will most likely mean nothing to Bevilacqua’s supporters.

But a line in the sand has been drawn with the Grand Jury’s accusation against Cardinal Bevilacqua and the arrest of Monsignor William Lynn.  This indicates that higher ranking church officials involved in, or covering up these crimes, will no longer be able to hide from justice– while they are on this earth.

The Exorcist

The sacred defense of the unborn must not be trampled on, under any condition.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Father Thomas J. Euteneuer. is an exorcist– and a favorite in Monaghan’s Legatus circles.

Fr. Euteneuer also took on the role of ambassador for the defense of the unborn at Human Life International (HLI) where he served as president, until he became involved in a major scandal.

Fr. Euteneuer– considered by many as a bastion of “orthodoxy” (I beg to differ!)– received the Cardinal John J. O’Connor Pro-Life Award from Tom Monaghan’s Legatus.

The Palm Beach Post reported that on August 27, 2010 Fr. Euteneuer had stepped down from his position as president of Human Life International after HLI asked him to resign.  He published a statement saying that there had been a  “particularly complex situation“  which “clouded” his judgment and led him to ” imprudent decisions with harmful consequences“, the worst of which was violating the boundaries of chastity with an adult female who was under [his] spiritual care.”  Here is the response from the parents of the victim:  “Beyond the ‘grave’…“

This “particularly complex situation” and  “imprudent” decisions appear to have taken place during Euteneuer’s practice of EXORCISM! Is this just plain charlatanism?

Who’s minding these practices, within the confines of Church laws?

But, of course, we can’t say that!

No, no, no!

After all, Fr. Euteneuer was conducting exorcism with his best intentions!

Moving right along…

But something is very troubling.  First HLI printed the following announcement on their website (it still appears):

“June 14, 2010 – Pro-Life Priest, Exorcist Sheds Light on Ancient Ritual with Long-Awaited Book“

Then, when the Palm Beach Post asked about the book, the spokesperson for HLI said:

“We released Father Euteneuer’s Exorcism and the Church Militant in June [2010], and sold out of it some time after his departure from HLI, so it was on sale for over three months. It was decided not to reprint it as we no longer had Father Euteneuer on hand to explain the connection between exorcism and our pro-life mission, and we wanted to focus completely on our mission going forward.”

Human Life International no longer promotes on their website Father Euteneuer’s book about exorcism– but Monaghan’s people at the Legatus Magazine continue to promote it, as evidenced by the following screen caption taken on Feb. 21, 2011:   Exorcism and the Church Militant.

Originally the proceeds of the book were to go to Human Life International.  Now that Fr. Euteneuer is no longer  in public ministry, and his exorcism practice has been referred to ecclesiastical authorities, where are the proceeds going? The paperback is currently selling at Amazon for $80 to $129.98!

How tragic to see the sacred defense of the unborn dragged into this nauseating scandal.

One can hardly wait to see who Monaghan will award next!

Does Monaghan even know what  “orthodoxy” means?

Voices of “orthodoxy”?  I don’t think so.

But why are some in the Catholic lay world supporting and promoting cardinals like Bevilacqua– in spite of the investigations, warnings and grave issues discussed in the original 2005 report?

Cardinal Bevilacqua continued as Tom Monaghan’s “invaluable” Ecclesiastical Advisor at Legatus until approximately two months ago. Here are excerpts from the Legatus magazine, dated December 3, 2010  [underline and bold added for emphasis].:

Although still publicly active on the cusp of his tenth decade, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, 87, has been retiring from official capacities in recent years — most notably in 2003 as Archbishop of Philadelphia, which he led as one of the most prominent voices of orthodoxy in the Church in America. And just last month he announced that he will step down as Legatus’ ecclesiastical advisor, a position he has held since 1987.

[HERE THE EDITOR QUOTES CARDINAL BEVILACQUA]: “In an age when relativism and materialism pervade our society, I have been edified by the example shown by Legatus members in their efforts to serve as ‘ambassadors in the marketplace,’” he said. “They live the mission statement of Legatus in every aspect of their lives — to ‘study, live and spread the faith.’ They are the stone thrown into the water which sends ripples far and wide. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as ecclesiastical advisor.”

Cardinal Bevilacqua assures members that he will continue to do for them what he has been doing for a long time: [HERE THE EDITOR QUOTES CARDINAL BEVILACQUA AGAIN] “I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless all of the members of Legatus and their families.”

Cardinal Bevilacqua already was impressed by Monaghan’s own enthusiasm for lay evangelization. It was a perfect match.

“It is difficult to summarize the importance of one who has filled an invaluable role,” Monaghan said in tribute to his dear friend. “Yet, when presented with how to describe the many years of His Eminence’s service to Legatus, that is the word that comes to my mind — invaluable.”

The credibility, especially with the hierarchy, that we as an organization garnered from his association with us was monumental.

Of particular note, in the early years of the organization, the Cardinal’s wisdom, grace and diplomacy were critical in helping to overcome some trials facing Legatus. With his assistance and counsel, we were able to maneuver through some rocky waters and emerge healthy and whole.  Legatus Magazine – December 3, 2010.

A Victim Commits Suicide

This turning away from reality, on the part of clergy and non-clergy alike, is also evident in the way that the “Review Board” handled the reported abuses in the Archdiocese of Philadephia:

Page 56, Final Grand Jury Report:

The Archdiocese now has an official-sounding review process, involving a Review Board and supposedly experienced and independent investigators. Surely, church officials nowadays would remove priests if they were credibly accused. Right?

Wrong.

Our review of just some of these priests’ files shows that the Review Board finds allegations “unsubstantiated” even when there is very convincing evidence that the accusations are true – evidence certainly alarming enough to prompt removal of priests from positions in which they pose a danger to children.”

Page 60, Final Grand Jury Report, January 21, 2011:

[SUICIDE]: On July 24, 2008, Ms. Hagner notified Ben that the Review Board could not substantiate his allegation. Less than a year later, Ben committed suicide.

The Grand Jury has No Doubt that Cardinal Bevilacqua Endangered Thousands of Children

“We would like to hold Cardinal Bevilacqua accountable as well. The Grand Jurors have no doubt that his knowing and deliberate actions during his tenure as Archbishop also endangered thousands of children in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Msgr. Lynn was carrying out the Cardinal’s policies exactly as the Cardinal directed. In most of the cases we reviewed from the previous grand jury report, Cardinal Bevilacqua knew substantially everything that Msgr. Lynn knew about the danger posed by the accused priests.”

The Grand Jury “Reluctantly” Decides Not to Recommend Charges Against Cardinal Bevilacqua

The Grand Jury reluctantly decided not to recommend charges against Cardinal Bevilacqua, because it was unclear whether the Cardinal had been informed of two specific abuses.  In addition, the Grand jury offered the following statement:

“Cardinal Bevilacqua’s health is also a consideration. William Sasso, his long-time lawyer, told the Grand Jury that the 87-year-old suffers from dementia. Mr. Sasso testified that Cardinal Bevilacqua requires “24/7 nursing care” and rarely leaves the seminary where he lives. He said the Cardinal has failed to recognize Mr. Sasso when he visits. The attorney testified that he has not seen the Cardinal at a public event for nearly three years – not even at the installation of Bishop Senior in July 2010.”

“Mr. Sasso told us that he had recently spoken to Cardinal Bevilacqua’s doctors, A.J. DiMarino and Bradley Fenton. According to Mr. Sasso, both physicians advised him that it would be “extremely traumatic” for the Cardinal to testify before the Grand Jury, and that any testimony he gave would be unreliable. Mr. Sasso testified that Cardinal Bevilacqua had not even been informed of the Grand Jury proceedings because hisdoctors had advised against it.

Based on these issues relating to the evidence and the Cardinal’s health, we have reluctantly decided not to recommend charges against the former Archbishop.”

“Extremely traumatic”?!  Have protectors of Cardinal Bevilacqua considered how the victims and their families feel?

Dementia?!

Let’s take a careful look at Cardinal Bevilacqua and The Papal Foundation

In spite of Cardinal Bevilacqua’s “dementia”, he is still “publicly active” as described  on December 3 by Tom Monaghan’s  Legatus Magazine.

Cardinal Bevilacqua’s “dementia” also does not seem to be keeping him from acting as Chairman of the Papal Foundation– the Pope’s biggest fund– an extremely powerful  multi-million dollar American foundation which is managed by Benedict XVI.  A minimum $1 million dollar donation is required to become a steward.

How interesting that Cardinal Bevilacqua is joined in the Papal Foundation Board of Trustees by Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles– who for years has brought scandal and shame to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with cover-ups of pederasty and pedophilia– culminating in multi-million dollar settlements.  How interesting that several others on the Papal Foundation Board of Trustees have been, or are currently facing scandals in their current and/or former dioceses.

NOTE:  The issue of pederasty and pedophilia, like any vice, involves underground activity and intimidation.  It is seedy, by nature. And while the media may not always be friendly to Catholics,  it is thanks to the media that victims have a voice.

After all– how many bishops or cardinals have picked up the phone and contacted law enforcement to report the sexual abuse of children in their parishes, archdioceses and schools?  The cases of sexual abuse involving religious orders are even more difficult to document– since they almost always involve private settlements.

Some of the Worst Enemies are Inside the Church– and they Closely Surround the Holy Father

It is important to remember that some of the worst enemies of the Roman Catholic Church are inside, as we will continue to see below, and some of them closely surround the Holy Father.

The following links provide information about sexual scandals affecting some of the Bishops and Cardinals that are members of the Papal Foundation Board of Trustees.

Click on the names below to read a partial description of the cover-ups and moral scandals involving these bishops and cardinals who, by nature of their rank and influence,  work closely with Pope Benedict XVI.

Roger Cardinal Mahony, Los Angeles, CA

Archbishop John J. Myers Newark, NJ

Francis Cardinal George, Chicago IL

Daniel Cardinal Dinardo, Galveston-Houston, TX

Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York

Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus, Washington DC

Sean Patrick Cardinal O’Malley, Boston MA

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, New York NY (former Bishop of Milwaukee)

William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus, Baltimore, Maryland

Justin Cardinal Rigali Pages 30-119 Philadelphia, PA

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, Washington DC

Bishop Joseph A. Pepe Las Vegas, NV (former Vice-Chancellor under Cardinal Bevilacqua)

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Pages 61-66 Secretary of the Papal Foundation (former Auxiliary Bishop under Cardinal Bevilacqua)

The question is– why does Benedict XVI closely surround himself with these Bishops and Cardinals who have protected sexual abusers of children, and have been mired in scandal?  Why does Benedict XVI allow them to hold the purse strings of the extremely powerful Papal Foundation’s multi-million dollar operation?

This should make Catholics– and the public at large, very concerned.

The following screen caption of the Papal Foundation was taken on February 18:

Heads must roll:

It may be necessary for the District Attorney of Philadelphia, and the supervising judge, to consider an independent evaluation of Cardinal  Bevilacqua’s “dementia” and health status, based on the following facts:

1.  Cardinal Bevilacqua’s recent quoted statement in the Legatus Magazine, dated December 3, 2010, where he expresses himself in a very eloquent and  lucid manner.

2.  The Legatus statement describes Cardinal Bevilacqua as being “publicly active”.

3.  Cardinal Bevilacqua’s position as Chairman of the Papal Foundation, involving the oversight of millions of dollars for the Holy See.

SEE BREAKING NEWS BELOW – August 4, 2011

Stop Supporting the Impostors

Many of these impostors in the Catholic Church are honored and pursued by a growing list of lay Catholics who ride the coattails of the Church’s hierarchy in hopes of landing plum jobs.

Others are networking with Bishops and Cardinals in order to sell lectures, projects  and programs– with the arrogant excuse that “they are making a difference”– while ignoring compelling reports of clergy sex abuse and cover-ups.

The real “difference” that needs to be made is to denounce these impostors.

Catholicism has become a lucrative business– a buyer-beware minefield where many charlatans prey on well-intentioned Catholics who, unfortunately,  prefer to have Catholicism poured into their brain at a “lecture cruise” instead of picking up the Catechism– which sits gathering dust on their bookshelf.

The Deceptive “Great Leap Forward” of the Roman Catholic Church

Father Robert Hoatson Refused to Go Along with "The Agenda"

No doubt, supporters of Cardinal Bevilacqua will come out (mostly anonymously) with the old rhetoric of “but what about all the good things he did?”

Well, Mao Tse-tung claimed to love his Chinese countrymen.  He simplified the Chinese language during his deceptive Great Leap Forward campaign, in order to enforce widespread literacy.  Then, following his ideals, millions have been killed.  But I suppose they could at least read their death sentences.

There are those inside the Catholic Church who use a similar “great-leap-forward” deceptive approach to lure their followers and victims.  Then, when good holy priests come forward in defense of victims and to expose the corruption, they are punished and banished by Bishops and Cardinals.

The first Grand Jury made a statement that rings loud and clear:

“...in its callous, and calculating manner, the Archdiocese’s “handling” of the abuse scandal was at least as immoral as the abuse itself.”

Benedict XVI cannot simply rearrange the chairs on the deck.  He must surround himself with holy men, morally capable of acting as ecclesiastical officials. He must get rid of the impostors inside the Roman Catholic Church, by making swift and visible changes– worthy of the throne of Peter.

♦    ♦    ♦

CLICK on the titles below to read important reference articles:

Priest Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Case

The Story of Father Haley

Deposition of Father James Haley

Vatican Refused to Defrock Priest Who Abused Deaf Boys

The Five Worst Cardinals (this list keeps changing)

The Vatican Bank Hit by Financial Scandal

Report from Ireland on the Systematic Abuse of Children

Cardinal Bevilacqua’s Cover-Up of Dangerous Sexual Predator

Bevilacqua’s Role with a Pedophile Priest Bared

“Our Very Own” Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua,  by Tom Monaghan

First Grand Jury Report, September 15, 2005

Final Grand Jury Report, January 21, 2011

UPDATE ON CARDINAL BEVILACQUA (July 31, 2011):  Release of Cardinal Bevilacqua’s Testimony Reveals the Mind of an Impostor

BREAKING NEWS – August 4, 2011:  Philadelphia District Attorney Requests that Bevilacqua testify again– in spite of his “dementia”

♦   ♦   ♦

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: Tom Monaghan  + Ave Maria, Florida +Ave Maria University + Benedict XVI + The Vatican +Cardinal Bevilacqua +Cardinal Rigali + Legatus  +Pederasty +Pedophilia + Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia + Father Thomas J. Euteneuer as an Exorcist + Exorcism + Cardinal Mahony + Archbishop John. J. Myers + Cardinal George + Cardinal Dinardo + Cardinal Egan + Cardinal McCarrick + The McCarrick Syndrome + Cardinal O’Malley + Cardinal Dolan + Cardinal Keeler + Cardinal Rigali + Archbishop Wuerl + Bishop Joseph A. Pepe + Bishop Michael F. Burbidge

♦   ♦   ♦

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may read about  Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s observations and opinions through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, Forbes.com,  The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, etc.

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• Tom Monaghan’s “Invaluable” Cardinal Bevilacqua Accused by Grand Jury of Covering Up Sexual Abuse of Children (romancatholicworld.wordpress.com)

A Man and A Woman

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

Celebrating love…

between One Man and One Woman

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: God + Love+ Family +  One Man One Woman + St. Valentine’s Day

♥   ♥   ♥

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  etc.

© All Rights Reserved

You may write to Marielena Montesino de Stuart at:  ContactTRCW@aol.com

Is Tom Monaghan’s Regime Crumbling at Ave Maria University?

Looking for  The Chronicles of Ave Maria©  ?

Related Articles: 

“AVE MARIA STOOPS TO NEW LOW“  by Founder of Catholic Media Coalition

AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY:  A Special Report

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

Drum Roll…

Thomas S. Monaghan... Just Chancellor

On February 17, 2009 I publicly asked Tom Monaghan, Nick Healy and company– to step down from their positions at Ave Maria University– in a commentary published in the editorial pages of the Naples Daily News.  Monaghan supporters began a campaign of vilification and vicious ad hominem attacks against me, which has continued to this day, as a result of my commentary.

In spite of these personal attacks I continued to question the administration of Ave Maria University, as well as the Ave Maria “Special District” town government– which practices taxation without representation. The supporters of the Monaghan-Barron Collier Companies real estate development team brought a second wave of personal attacks– which have also persisted to this day.

Well, it took almost two years.  Ave Maria University announced yesterday that Thomas S. Monaghan is stepping down as CEO, but retaining his position as chancellor.  This is a bit of a joke, since Monaghan IS Ave Maria University– so, whoever becomes CEO still has to turn to Monaghan as the main benefactor with the big bucks.  Sounds more like a game of switching hats.

AMU also announced that Nick Healy was stepping down as president.  This may have been  inspired by yesterday’s  announcement that Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak may finally end his despotic 30-year dictatorship.   Monaghan, Mubarak and Healy can now look to one another for support.

Does this mean that Monaghan’s idiosyncratic regime may be crumbling?

What is evident is that Monaghan’s  one-man show as chancellor, CEO and chief financial backer of his controversial university may be coming to an end.

But, it looks like a simple drum roll is all we get for now.   No loud trumpet calls here– since the old guard is still around, standing close to Monaghan.  Unless Jim Towey, the new president of Ave Maria University, begins a quiet purge; HOWEVER, I do not see Mr. Towey as a messianic figure– since we don’t know if he could make the situation worse– if that’s even possible.  Why?  Well, let’s not forget that Mr. Towey wouldn’t be here without Monaghan’s approval.  That alone, is cause for concern.  We’ll be watching.

Announcing the Announcement: How to Keep the Faculty in the Dark

Nick Healy, Former President of Ave Maria University (Finally!)

Ave Maria University made the announcement to the public yesterday morning.   The Naples Daily News printed the announcement at 10:53am via a press release from AMU’s public relations department.  The spokesperson for the university was Michael T.O. Timmis, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The faculty received an e-mail on Wednesday afternoon announcing that there would be an announcement the next morning during a conference.  Comical suspense…  What could be going on?

One can almost hear doors slamming in the dark.

Then, on Thursday morning the faculty received another e-mail shortly before the conference, letting them know about the big news.

How considerate!

Now, from a legal stand point and as a private university, AMU may not have to report the process of a major decision like the hiring of a new president; however, from a moral stand point,  the faculty should have been notified from the beginning– and made part of a decision-making process that affects their future, and that of the university.  After all, the university does not exist without its faculty.  Keeping the faculty in the dark is not how universities normally operate.

Having said that, it’s good to see Nick finally go!

Jim Towey, New President of Ave Maria University

The Naples Daily News press release also indicated that Jim Towey, whose full name is H. James Towey, will assume the role of president at AMU, as of July 1, 2011.

As president, it is to be expected that Mr. Towey will also take over the role of CEO, although the press release from AMU’s public relations department (again, published by the Naples Daily News at 10:53am) said that Monaghan was stepping down as CEO, but it did not specifically identify Towey as the new CEO.  Towey was only identified as the new president.

This is interesting, considering that AMU is well-known for carefully wording their press releases.   Until this is defined, Mr. Towey’s position as president would be limited in scope.  Remember, up to now Monaghan has been chancellor and CEO.

The timing of this announcement by the AMU Board of Trustees, closer to the beginning of a semester, is bizarre– to put it mildly.

Could it be that Barron Collier Companies, Monaghan’s real estate partner, is exerting pressure on Ave Maria University, regarding financial stability?  After all, the Monaghan-Barron Collier Companies real estate partnership involved the selling of homes in a “university-town”.

The Role of a CEO… and Public Perception

A Chief Executive Officer is supposed to act as the leader who guides the institution in a profitable direction.  The CEO sets the tone and manages the culture within the organization.

Monaghan will no longer be in that role.  At least that will be the public perception– which is something that AMU greatly cares about, based on how they respond to media inquiries through their Marketing Department, when asked to clarify issues involving scandals, and other moral and delicate matters.

And, if the famous “Levering Memo” is any indication– the question of whether AMU has been guided in a “profitable direction” has been a concern for some time.

While Monaghan claims that this change in leadership will give him more time to promote the university, as of yesterday he is effectively turning himself into a figurehead.  Lest we forget the ongoing issue with perception.

Good bye, Nick… Your Departure is “Our Gift of God”!

Yes! Finally! Ave Maria University will have a new president.  This means that Nick Healy (whose full name is Nicholas J. Healy, Jr.) will soon be gone.  Hard to believe!

Healy will leave us with memories of his famous public embrace of the Ave Maria-Jackson Lab project– a “deal” which has joined the ranks of the infamous taxpayer and political scandals, so common in Florida’s history.

The Ave Maria-Jackson Lab project was also initially considered a “gift of God” and “an answer to prayer” by Healy’s  close friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Waldstein– a professor of theology at Ave Maria University.  This eye opening public statement by Dr. Waldstein took place during a town hall meeting at Ave Maria on December 14, 2010– many months after the local bishop had publicly expressed his concerns about the Jackson Lab’s move to Ave Maria– and after many months of media coverage of the scandal.   This is  “out-of-touch” on a whole different level.

For those not familiar with the Jackson Lab– the embarrassing and painful nightmare of the Jackson Lab “deal” involved a proposal to bring the controversial genetics lab to Ave Maria, by way of millions of taxpayer dollars.  The project was seen by many as a corporate  bail out of the Monaghan-Barron Collier Companies real estate experiment in Ave Maria.

Adding insult to injury, the Jackson Lab is also involved in holding workshops and providing resources for Human Embryonic Stem Cell (HESC) Research.  The Roman Catholic Church considers HESC research a grave crime against innocent human life.  And yes– Thomas S. Monaghan made the land available for the Jackson Lab’s  location in Ave Maria, and gave the famous “Go ahead with it” –after doing his “due diligence”.

Fortunately, the Jackson Lab deal was driven out of town– after tremendous public opposition from Collier County citizens, mostly from Naples, as well as media coverage by investigative journalist Randy Engel, and this writer.  While the Jackson Lab battle raged in Naples, back in Ave Maria the crickets were chirping.

What is remarkable is that this conflicting hodgepodge of religion and real estate monetary ambitions has been taking place in Monaghan’s well-advertised “Catholic town” and “city of God.”

Mr. Healy will also leave us with the incredible memory of his enthusiastic support of the Home of the Mother  (Hogar de la Madre)– a religious group which was expelled from Ave Maria University in August 2010, after the local bishop met with AMU officials to discuss the former Superior’s  involvement in a lesbian relationship with an Ave Maria University student.

The Home of the Mother group of priests and religious sisters, which stayed at the university, was  enthusiastically endorsed under Healy’s administration — and was even assigned the role of  providing vocational discernment for women and men at Ave Maria University! One can’t help but wonder how parents felt– particularly those who sent their children to Ave Maria University, encouraged in part by such on-campus sexual abstinence  groups like the “Chastity Club”.

Home of the Mother came to AMU as a “private association of the faithful” under Healy’s administration– NOT as a religious order with the canonical standing of a group such as the Dominicans.   The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida had no involvement in bringing Home of the Mother to Ave Maria.

The Home of the Mother also became very active and militant in the Town of Ave Maria– while holding prayer meetings and offering retreats for children at their Jacksonville facilities.  Unfortunately, many residents in the Town of Ave Maria still see this Home of the Mother group as a legitimate and good Catholic influence on their children– in spite of the Bishop’s position, and in spite of the fact that the entire group was expelled from Ave Maria University.

But Dr. Waldstein was seriously mistaken when he referred to the Jackson Lab as “a gift of God”.    Our true “gift of God” is Nick’s departure.

Who is the new president of Ave Maria University?

Jim Towey is a lawyer who does not come from the world of academia– just like his predecessor, Nick Healy.  Towey served as President of St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, for approximately only three years.  He announced his resignation from St. Vincent in October 2009.   Read more at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09288/1005680-298.stm#ixzz1DaQEw5Pq (Also available in PDF here).

Towey also served as director of the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush.

Since the process that led to Towey’s selection as president was kept a secret until yesterday, no one really knows what to expect, other than what AMU’s administration is saying.  It appears that Mr. Towey’s name was Googled quite a few times yesterday.

This new announcement is, nevertheless,  a huge change in Monaghan’s higher education  experiment, after spending most of his life selling pizza.  This becomes even more remarkable when considering the amount of money he has invested in the Ave Maria University project– and the power he has held over his Ave Maria brand of academia– ranging from his dismantled law school and college in Michigan, to this university, in the swamplands of rural Eastern Collier County.  It is also NOT a surprising turn of events.

Some, particularly those beholden to Monaghan, see him as a reigning figure in American Catholic philanthropy.  Others see him as the reigning figure in a regime of control– which has included law suits, the firing of dissenters, and the resignation of others, like Dr. Matthew Levering,  who would not go along with Monaghan’s program.

These law suits, firings and resignations have brought into question the institutional stability of Monaghan’s Ave Maria educational brand.  Issues involving social justice are also a concern — such as the severe 2nd mortgage agreement that some faculty members entered into with the university, during the purchase of their homes:

Jury Trial Waiver. The Borrow­er hereby waives any right to a trial by jury in any action, pro­ceeding, claim, or counterclaim, whether in contract or tort, at law or in equity, arising out of or in any way related to this Security Instrument or the Note. Definition of Maturity Date. The Maturity Date of this Note shall be the first to occur of the following events; when the Property is sold or trans­ferred, upon any acceleration of the Note or first mortgage on the Property for default or otherwise, upon obtaining any subordinate mortgage financing on the Prop­erty, within ninety (90) days of the date when a Borrower leaves the full time employment of Ave Mar­ia University, Inc. unless the Bor­rower is totally and permanently disabled according to the Ave Maria University disability poli­cy, not later than three ( 3) years of any Borrower’s death or retire­ment from the University such pe­riod being determined based upon Borrower’s years of service to Ave Maria University, when the Prop­erty is no longer used by Borrow­er as Borrower’s primary resi­dence.

These issues affecting the university are of great importance– not just to students and their parents, but to those who purchased properties in the Town of Ave Maria, based on the promotion of the university-town concept.

Ave Maria University’s corporate structure

Ave Maria University is a private educational corporation in the state of Florida.  In corporate environments there are lines that clearly define the boundaries between senior management, staff and advisory boards.  But are these lines clearly defined at Ave Maria University?

Case in point:  The Ave Maria “University Council” (commonly referred to as the “UC”) is a group comprised of upper management and staff, which meets to discuss issues of importance to the university.  This intriguing group exists in addition to the Board of Trustees.  Why?  What authority does it have?  What is exactly its role?  What purpose does it serve?

Will the new president continue the UC meetings?  Better yet– will the Board of Trustees allow the UC meetings to continue?

Welcome to Ave Maria, Mr. Towey– where the university and the town are joined at the hip

Ave Maria University and the town have been joined at the hip from inception– in a never-ending incestuous business relationship, through overlapping administrative boards (such as when an official from Ave Maria University also acts as an official in the town’s governing board). Read about it here:  The Chronicles of Ave Maria: One Year Later

This incestuous business relationship became very evident on November 5, 2009, when– in front of my husband and children, AMU’s administration threatened to have me arrested, in order to keep me out of a press conference I was formally registered to attend as a journalist.

Why?

AMU’s shocking explanation to the media was that their action against me was based on questions I had asked, as a resident, two days before– regarding compliance of government statutes at an Ave Maria town government meeting.  AMU’s administration considered my questions  to be “disruptive”! Paul Roney, who is a member of the town’s governing board, as well as Chief Financial Officer at AMU, admitted that he “reported” me to the university as “disruptive”.

Disruptive?  For asking questions, as a resident taxpayer, about compliance of government statutes?

My husband and I had attended the town government meeting as property owners.

This town government meeting had absolutely nothing to do with my presence as a journalist at the university press conference.

As if this draconian approach wasn’t enough– AMU’s administration proceeded to ban me from over 1,000 acres of their property for nearly three months.

The AMU administration finally lifted the ban shortly before Cardinal Francis George’s visit to the AMU campus,  on February 2, 2010.

This is how Nick Healy worded the lifting of the ban:

Dear Mrs. Montesino de Stuart:

After discussion with our senior leadership, in view of the fact that there are events on campus this spring which you might wish to attend, in charity we are giving you permission, effective immediately, to come on the campus in the same manner as any other resident.– Nick Healy, January, 28, 2010

The hubris behind the statement for the lifting of my ban is noteworthy.

Imagine what it would have been like having Cardinal George, who was the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, visit a university “in the Catholic tradition” that has threatened with arrest and banned a town resident, for exercising her First Amendment rights, at a town government meeting!

So much for the benefits of  living in a university-town!

This chilling of speech and control of freedom of movement is only seen in communist and totalitarian regimes– much like we see in Mubarak’s Egypt.

The public did not know on November 5, 2009 that the press conference was being held for the purpose of honoring a controversial billionaire/politician from New York, for his gift of $4 million to the university.  My scrutiny as a Catholic journalist was not something that AMU was willing to face.  The following article explains it best: Timelines and Facts…

Three months later, on February 2010 this ‘joined-at-the-hip’ relationship became even more evident, when AMU lawyers threatened a Catholic newspaper which published an article by this writer, about  amended town covenants which appear to be unconstitutional.   My article was followed, in the same newspaper, by a commentary from a conservative constitutional scholar, who also seriously questioned the constitutionality of said amended covenants.

The question is:  Why are lawyers for a private educational institution such as AMU threatening a newspaper for exposing town covenants that affect the public?

The lawyers also argued that Ave Maria University had not misrepresented itself by claiming to be the first new “Catholic university” to be formed in the last four decades!

REALLY?

To this day, Ave Maria University remains unrecognized as a Catholic university by the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice.   Within hours of the announced changes at AMU on February 10, the Naples Daily News was reminding the public that Ave Maria University “is still seeking the official designation of a “Catholic Institution” that can only be bestowed by the Catholic Church.“

$inging the $ame $ong…

The fact that AMU cannot even call itself a “Catholic university” on its own website, has not kept $ome of Monaghan’s fervent $upporters from calling it as such.  $o, the revolving door of monotonous  promotional pieces continue (they all $ound like the $ame person is writing them)– while AMU’s administration proudly displays them on their website.

This lead$ one to wonder, more and more, if The Newman Guide ha$ any value.

It appears that $ome of Monaghan’s $upporters $uffer from the $ame distre$$– they only know how to $ing one $ong…

Mary Ann Kreitzer, founder of the Catholic Media Coalition and prominent pro-life leader had this to say about Monaghan and his lawyers:

“Tom Monaghan has plenty of money to engage in a frivolous lawsuit which the [Catholic news]paper can ill afford and he has shown himself perfectly willing in the past to go after those who disagree with him (Remember the professors at the law school in Ann Arbor?)”  — May 6, 2010

Then, as if the two media incidents named above were not enough, in May 2010, Barron Collier Companies threatened PBS over a documentary which portrayed Ave Maria as a “spiritual community”.  I was the only person in the Town of Ave Maria who was willing to go on camera for this documentary, where I explained the confusing public identity of the town, based on conflicting religious and secular promotions of Ave Maria– both as a “Catholic hub” and as a town for “Every Lifestyle…”.   [VIDEO CLIP]:

What can we expect from the new president of Ave Maria University?

Will Jim Towey, as the new president of Ave Maria University, instruct the AMU lawyers to threaten the media, just like the previous administration did?

As a lawyer, will Jim Towey use a heavy-handed litigious approach when faced with opposing views or criticism?

Will Ave Maria University one day become officially a “Catholic university”– or will it remain a private educational corporation?

What will Jim Towey change?

Will Jim Towey replace Nick Healy’s underlings?  Or,  as I said above– could he make the situation even worse?

Can Jim Towey make changes — with Monaghan and the old guard looking over his shoulder?

Does Jim Towey want to change anything… or does Jim Towey just need a job?

There is no reason to doubt that the new president of Ave Maria University comes with very good intentions; however, he will have to maneuver through the murky waters of an environment of control, in a remote rural location.  On the other hand, we don’t know if Mr. Towey will fit right in with this environment.

But, even more difficult to face is the apprehension that scandals leave behind.

No doubt, Mr.Towey’s  plate is full.    After all, Monaghan is still around.

♦   ♦   ♦

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  etc.

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E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:  H. James Towey, New President of Ave Maria University * Nick Healy steps down as President of Ave Maria University * Tom Monaghan, Thomas S. Monaghan * Why can’t Ave Maria University call itself a “Catholic university” on its own website? * The Town of Ave Maria is not in Naples, Florida * Collier County *

Notice to readers

Remembering President Ronald Reagan on his 100th Birthday

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

Today, more than ever, we should look to President Ronald Reagan for inspiration in the political decisions of our time…

 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:  COMMUNISM, In the World of Politics…, Ronald Reagan, Middle East Crisis, President Ronald Reagan,  The United States in Political and Economic Crisis,

You may read Marielena Montesino de Stuart ’s other observations and opinions through:  RenewAmerica, USAToday, U.S. Politics Today (EIN News Service for Political Professionals) Poynter Online, Spero News, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs, The Wanderer, etc.

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