Two odd things in the latest AP story about Rev. Donald McGuire, the convicted Jesuit priest-pederast:
Asked whether he had taken steps to remove McGuire from the priesthood, [Rev. Edward] Schmidt [S.J., provincial] said the priest was under the supervision of Wisconsin authorities and declined to comment further.
What are these Wisconsin authorities? Civil, we presume, since McGuire is free on appeal of his sentence to a Wisconsin prison. But what has that to do with Jesuit discipline?
“Apologies are empty if they are not followed by strong actions,” [victims’ advocacy group spokeswoman] Barbara Blaine said. “Father McGuire is free to roam the streets of Chicago and abuse any child. Their actions tell us they are not concerned about children. They are more concerned about their image.”
He is free to do that, living not in a Jesuit house but in a private home. Why? It’s not normal for Jesuits to live outside Jesuit houses. He’s getting special treatment?
What’s more, if Jesuits have authority in the matter, which we presume they do, why do they seem to care more about McGuire than about his victims, some of whom allegedly suffered as recently as four years ago?
Carrying this further, we assume Schmidt speaks for all Chicago Province Jesuits. We don’t know who’s taking a different approach privately, within the province, but we know that none is taking it publicly.
Blithe Spirit 