A bishop of the Catholic Church is the representative of Christ in his diocese. He controls millions of dollars with no accountability and is responsible for thousands of souls under his care. A Catholic bishop who truly believes would tremble at the thought of betraying the trust that has been placed in him. What makes the Joliet diocese different from many others is the driving force behind the destruction of the faith. Bishop Joseph Imesch clearly has an agenda. The question is: What is the driving force behind that agenda?
        What we present in this forum is just a small portion of the information obtained by RCF regarding the putrid stench surrounding the Joliet diocese and the actions of its shepherd, bishop Imesch. Under the guise of "moral leadership," this Apostle of Christ has mocked the vow of celibacy, defended sexually active homosexual and heterosexual clergy and pedophiles (some of whom were victims themselves), while placing possibly hundreds of children at risk of abuse. His accomplices among his clergy and chancery staff, included homosexual auxiliary bishop Daniel Ryan. Ryan served as chancellor and Vicar General of the Joliet diocese for years. These accomplices had knowledge of, or were involved in this betrayal of the faithful and did nothing to stop it. Imesch helped place Ryan in the Springfield Diocese, thereby perpetuating a network that is destroying the faith in this country. It goes without saying that with all this going on under Imesch's leadership, it naturally follows that the diocese is full of liturgical abuse and heretical teachings. How else could a priest south his conscience or justify his sin if he did not attempt to pervert the truth to fit his character.
        Joseph Imesch was ordained a priest in December, 1956; an auxiliary bishop of Detroit on April 3, 1973; and was installed as bishop of Joliet, Illinois on Aug. 28, 1979. For 12 years Imesch served as Cardinal John Dearden's secretary handling his correspondence and appointments.

        A little history — There is quite a network of bishops who trace their origins to the Archdiocese of Detroit. Cardinal Dearden who served as Archbishop of Detroit from 1958 to 1980, is widely acknowledged as the architect of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, of which he was the first president in the early 1970s. Dearden groomed priests for ordination to the rank of bishop who were well-known as extremists before they were named bishop. And some of Dearden's men who formerly maintained a low profile have since come into their own.
        The most well-known of Dearden's progeny in the hierarchy is Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, who for at least 30 years has been traveling on the fringe of many leftist movements. He gave much support to the Communist regime in Nicaragua, and most recently has been on the lecture circuit promoting homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.
        Two additional Dearden descendants are worthy of note in their dissent from Catholic teaching and support of others who dissent. They are Bishop Joseph Imesch, of Joliet, Illinois and Kenneth Untener, of Saginaw, Michigan.
        The world came to understand what Untener and his Archdiocese - were all about in the late 1970s and 1980s when he was rector of St. John's Provincial Seminary, which served several Michigan dioceses.
        At that time, the diocese was in fact being run by Bishop Gumbleton, who was vicar general and in charge of day-to-day affairs of the archdiocese. Gumbleton's classmate, Joseph Imesch, was an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Detroit at the time, so one can presume they all had knowledge, if not participation, in some of the things that were going on in the seminary.
        There were many rumors that homosexuals were being recruited for St. John's, and later evidence, that has come out in recent years, has confirmed that St. John's was indeed a virtual "hothouse" for gays.
        In a lengthy investigative account published in the December, 1996 issue of Catholic World Report, it was related that the seminary was known to be very friendly to homosexuals.
        St. John's Seminary was closed down in 1984 following an investigation ordered by the Vatican. The seminary program was moved to Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
        RCF has learned from men who were at St. John's that the diocese staff apparently worked very hard to prevent the Vatican delegation from learning the real truth about the seminary, but accurate information was indeed provided by other means to the Vatican, and the institution was ordered shut down due to homosexuality. This fact is nearly impossible to substantiate with written documents, but there is significant verbal evidence that RCF has received from persons close to the situation who are known to be trustworthy.
        RCF has spoken with several priests (more than five) who have confirmed that while they were studying at the seminary there was open homosexuality at St. John's among students. This situation came to light in 1980 when the Vatican announced that Fr. Untener was to be ordained a bishop.
        The National Catholic Register reported in the fall of 1980 that Bishop Untener was running a sex desensitization program at the seminary that involved seminarians watching x-rated pornographic films.
        The Register reported that one of the films showed several men masturbating, all the while discussing "the salvific mission of Christ."
        Upon learning of this, the Detroit Free Press reported that the Vatican called Untener to Rome to account for his horrible program.
        Untener told the Free Press that he went to Rome, returned back to Detroit, then went back to Rome with Cardinal Dearden and Bishop Imesch, who defended Untener and his sex program. This was within a two-day period.
        Sadly, the Vatican still allowed Untener to be consecrated a bishop.
        In the days when Untener was running the seminary and Gumbleton was administering the archdiocese, the dissident group Dignity was growing in prominence in Detroit. Dignity is a homosexual group calling for the Church to accept homosexuality and same-sex marriage as good Dignity held weekly Masses at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit for 23 years, until several years ago when Cardinal Maida told the group to leave, but this happened more than seven months after the investigative piece was published in Catholic World Report, and only after substantial pressure was generated by affluent members of the diocese who complained to the cardinal. To this day, the archdiocese denies that Dignity ever existed at Most Holy Trinity, even though individuals presented Church authorities with a photo of a huge Dignity banner hanging in the sanctuary of the church, along with many newspaper accounts and advertisements specifically identifying Dignity's presence at the parish.
        Clearly, the archdiocese is in a state of very, very deep denial in acknowledging its support of homosexuality.

Highlights of Dignity/USA's 25-Year History

        The following history is based on a commemorative booklet entitled Dignity/ USA at 25: A Chronology, 1969-1994 compiled by former Dignity/USA President Pat Roche. Copies are available from the Dignity national office. These highlights were printed in the Dignity Journal 27:2-3 (Autumn 1995), pp 21-24]

On October 2, 1974 Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Detroit Archdiocese send Brian McNaught [ then-president of Dignity/ Detroit---ed.] a letter stating that the Catholic Church has "a serious obligation to root out structures and attitudes that discriminate against the homosexual as a person. We will exert our leadership in behalf of this effort." (Dignity web .site)

Father Gary Dennis Berthiaume
        Detroit priest Fr. Gary Dennis Berthiaume's 1977 arrest and conviction for gross indecency between males (criminal case # 77-34652-FY), was the result of a plea agreement entered into to reduce an original felony charge stemming from his sexual contact with a minor child. The story would have been just one more case among hundreds of clergy sexual abuse actions had it not been for Berthiaume's relationship to Joseph Imesch, now Bishop of Joliet, Illinois. RCF has since been contacted by another alleged victim of Fr. Berthiaume. This young man never notified authorities of Berthiaume's predatory actions or sought compensation from the diocese. His alleged abuse took place in 1976 while he was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington, Michigan.
        At the time of his arrest, Berthiaume was an associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Then - Father Joseph Imesch was pastor.
        In December of 1978 (after his conviction in Michigan) Berthiaume was transferred to the Cleveland, Ohio Diocese where he served as a priest at Ascension Parish in Cleveland, and later at St. Adalbert Parish in Berea. Both parishes have schools. (As an aside: in 1978, now-Cardinal James Hickey was bishop of Cleveland. Hickey was from the Saginaw Diocese. More on Hickey will be covered in a future issue of AMDG--ed.).
        In the fall of 1986, a writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper was in the process of photographing the parish where Berthiaume was stationed and attempting to interview priests and parishioners for a planned story on pedophilia in the Roman Catholic Church. Shortly thereafter, Berthiaume applied and was accepted into the Joliet Diocese where Joseph Imesch [Berthiaume's former rectory mate from Detroit] was now bishop. (According to court records, Imesch was aware of an allegation of misconduct made against Berthiaume while he was in the Cleveland Diocese). From about 1988 through 1995, Fr. Berthiaume occasionally said Mass at St. Irene's in Warrenville. Fr. Thomas Corbino was the pastor at St. Irene's. ( Contrary to Imesch's sworn testimony, Corbino maintains that Bishop Imesch never advised him of Berthiaume's prior history). Berthiaume also acted as chaplain at EHS Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. A phone call to the hospital confirmed his presence there as of last year. Individuals in both the legal and personnel offices denied having any knowledge of Berthiaume's criminal history even though Imesch again testified under oath that the hospital had been so informed. For a time Father resided at the Cenacle in Warrenville, Illinois.

Case no. 83-256-466-NZ
Cary Alan Kedeizierski and Betty Kedzierski Vs
Cary Dennis Berthiaume
Archdiocese of Detroit (John Cardinal Dearden) Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church

        In 1983, a civil case was filed against Berthiaume for his admitted sexual contact with a minor child. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, also named in the suit, is a parish within the Archdiocese of Detroit and was home for Fr. Berthiaume as well as Bishop Joseph Imesch, now Bishop of Joliet.
        To his credit, Mark M. Bello, attorney for the sexual abuse victim in the above mentioned case, refused to agree to a confidentiality agreement when he settled with the diocese for $325,000.00. RCF contacted Mr. Bello and was granted an interview.
        According to Mr. Bello this was not the first time Berthiaume had been accused of abuse: "I am aware of previous sexual misconduct occurring in Wyandotte, Michigan which was pursued civilly and not criminally. Four boys were sexually molested by Father Berthiaume and settled the matter in Wayne County Circuit Court for a mere $50.000.00." RCF verified that there were indeed previous allegations made against Berthiaume. The abuse took place between 1968 and 1973.
        Bishop Joseph Imesch had his deposition taken in this case. As previously stated, Imesch and Berthiaume were stationed at the same parish and were friends. According to Mr. Bello, who took Imesch's deposition: "Imesch, Dearden & Gumbleton — all of them lied under oath. Dearden and Gumbleton were professional and respectful; Imesch was sarcastic and nasty." (According to testimony received by RCF, Imesch was deposed, while bishop of Joliet, in another abuse case involving a Fr. Lawrence Gibbs in which Imesch also gave false testimony regarding Berthiaume. More on the Gibbs case is contained later in this issue) Mr. Bello went on to state:

It seems to be a dirty little secret that the Church would rather pay millions of dollars in hush money to keep secret rather than confront. The Church uses its power and resources to beat down or pay off its victims without ever attempting to properly discipline, or more appropriately, remove the offending priest. The Church attempts to make the victim feel guilty for pursuing these matters. For these reasons, I refused to a seal on the results of my case. My feeling was that the public had a right to know that this predator was in their midst, and no amount of money could have made me agree to keep the result from being published.

Question by attorney: What was Father Quinn's opinion of Father Berthiaume?
Answer by Imesch: "I wish I were more like Gary."

Question by attorney: That's what he said?
Answer by Imesch: Yes. In fact, both of us said it.

Question by attorney: Thank goodness he's not.
Answer by Imesch: That's your opinion.

        In another part of his deposition Imesch mocks Church teaching and the vow of celibacy.

Question by attorney: Does (sic) homosexual activities violate the oath of celibacy?
Answer by Imesch: The oath of celibacy?

Question by attorney: The vow of celibacy?
Answer by Imesch: It's not a vow even.

Question by attorney: What is it, a pledge?
Answer by Imesch: Promise.

Question by attorney: Promise?
Answer by Imesch: Promise.

Question by attorney: Does it violate that?
Answer by Imesch: Sure.

Question by attorney: Does it violate the promise of chastity?
Answer by Imesch: Sure.

Question by attorney: What do you feel or do you know is the penalty for the violation of those promises?
Answer by Imesch: Eternal hellfire. I — you know, what's the penalty. Put in that I laughed.

Question by attorney: At the question or the answer?
Answer by Imesch: There is no penalty. The penalty, that's a moral failing or fault with a person.

Question by attorney: There is no official church reaction to that type of activity?
Answer by Imesch: Official?

Question by attorney: Among priests?
Answer by Imesch: No.

        At the time of Imesch's arrival to Joliet, Daniel L. Ryan was chancellor of the diocese. On September 30, 1981, Ryan was appointed auxiliary bishop of Joliet (under bishop Imesch) and appointed bishop of Springfield, Illinois November 22, 1983.
        Imesch pushed for Ryan's appointment as Bishop of Springfield even though Ryan's alcoholism was a public matter at the time. What was not known publicly about Ryan at the time of his appointment to Springfield was the fact that he was an active homosexual. It is inconceivable, in my opinion, that no one in the Joliet chancery would have had knowledge of Ryan's homosexual activity prior to his appointment to Springfield. More astounding to me is that Ryan, while in Joliet, was responsible for investigating allegations of sexual abuse of male children by priests. Within one month of his arrival in Springfield, Ryan was paying boys as young as 15 and 16 for sexual favors. (See AMDG, summer 1999)
        RCF received testimony from former teenage male prostitutes as well as clergy confirming that Ryan was a sexually active homosexual upon his arrival in Springfield. One former male prostitute explained how his first sexual encounter with Ryan took place at a hotel as Ryan did not yet have complete control of the cathedral rectory in Springfield. Later encounters took place at the rectory. One of the priests who provided RCF with testimony was living with Ryan at the rectory. According to Father (who was sexually propositioned by Ryan on numerous occasions), during one of the first Christmas parties held at the Springfield rectory, an intoxicated Ryan was busy fondling the bare feet of a Joliet priest in attendance.
        Even though some pastoral staff saw the young men (male prostitutes) coming and going from the bishop's living quarters and several diocesan priests were aware of Ryan's sexual activities, he was still protected.
        On June 3, 1999 Bishop Imesch responded to a Joliet Catholic who had sent him an RCF postcard stating that Ryan had had sexual relations with clergy and male prostitutes.

Dear Mrs. *********

I received the card you sent me recently and I am astounded that you would send me such trash, and even more, that you would believe it. The Roman Catholic Faithful have undertaken a campaign against Bishop Ryan and have managed to defame him. I cannot believe that you would put any credence in this ridiculous charge. If the matter is so well known by so many people, why has no action been taken, as is the case in every other instance when there is such widespread publicity? Some people need to examine their conscience for slander.

Instead of disseminating such trash, I would hope that you would pray for those who are responsible for it.

With every best wish, Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph L. Imesch, Bishop of Joliet

Mrs. **********

I am absolutely amazed that you would send such trash through the mail, and even more that you would believe it. These scandalous charges have been made far too long and it is about time that so called Christian people stop disseminating such fallacious information.

Do you really believe that with all of the publicity concerning sexual abuse that an allegation of this nature, were it factual, would not he vigorously pursued in the press?

I believe calumny is still a sin.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph L. Imesch, Bishop of Joliet

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Lawsuit filed in Springfield: On Thursday, October 28, 1999 attorneys for a 30-year old former altar boy filed a lawsuit against a priest, two former bishops, and the diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The law offices of Frederic W. Nessler of Springfield and Ross & Rubino of Margate City, New Jersey filed multiple allegations on behalf of 30-year-old Matthew McCormick, a former altar boy in the Springfield diocese who alleges that, over a three-year period in the early 1980s, he was sexually assaulted, battered, and psychologically abused by Rev. Alvin J. Campbell, former pastor of St. Maurice Church in Morrisonville, Illinois. Also named in the lawsuit were Former Springfield Bishop Joseph A. McNicholas (deceased), the Diocese of Springfield, and recently retired Bishop Daniel Ryan of Springfield. McCormick charges that these three parties were involved in an extensive cover-up of Campbell's pedophilic activities; moreover, that:

"BISHOP RYAN ignored his oath and obligation of celibacy by virtue of multiple homosexual relationships with then, now former, male prostitutes and other priests or deacons to wit: John Doe X, John Doe Y, and Reverend Father John Doe Z (the identities of whom are known to the Defendants) among others, during his tenure as Bishop to such an extent that an atmosphere of tolerance to the sexual abuse of minors was thereby created,.facilitated, and perpetuated by DEFENDANT RYAN.

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The following is a brief review of RCF's action to bring about the removal of Bishop Ryan.

1. On November 8, 1996, RCF requested the resignation of Bishop Ryan after receiving statements from several priests regarding Ryan's requesting sexual favors from them.
2. Also in November, RCF contacted Fr. John Hardon, S.J., who had worked for the Holy See for 30 years, and asked for his help in this matter. Fr. Hardon interviewed and received statements from two priests of the diocese and on November 25, 1996 Father Hardon met with then-papal nuncio Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan in Washington D.C. He provided him with the priests' statements (which were agreed by both parties to be held in confidence). The Archbishop refused to investigate and gave the statements to Bishop Ryan.
3. On February 11, 1997 RCF held a press conference. Shortly thereafter, Fr. Hardon traveled to Rome with one of Ryan's priest accusers and met with Archbishop Hoyos, prefect of the congregation of the clergy. The Holy See failed to act.
4. RCF continued its investigation with the help of private investigators and information received from clergy. In December of 1997 RCF located and interviewed several former male prostitutes who had been paid by Bishop Ryan for sexual favors. One former male prostitute (Frank Bergen) provided RCF with a statement including a description of the shape and size of Ryan's penis and a description of the interior of Ryan's apartment. Much of his statement was made public. At that point RCF again contacted the papal nuncio.
5. On December 20, 1997 I received a phone call from Jimmy Lago, Executive Assistant to then Archbishop Francis George. On December 23, 1997 Lago flew to Springfield to meet with me regarding Ryan.
6. On December 24, 1997 I received a fax from Lago, which stated: "Thank you. for taking the time to visit with me yesterday. I want to reiterate what I said to you then and again this morning. The issues that you have raised are very serious and it is our intent to pursue them in a serious and rigorous way."
7. On January 6, 1998 RCF attorney James Bendell sent a letter to Mr. Lago breaking off all relations between RCF and the Chicago Archdiocese because of comments Mr. Lago made to the Bloomington press regarding RCF.
8. On or about January 13, 1998 Fr. Hardon traveled to Springfield for a meeting with RCF board members and several priests from the Springfield Diocese. Fr. Hardon represented his presence as on behalf of Cardinal George and the Holy See. The meeting lasted for hours and Hardon made it perfectly clear that the Church hierarchy had known of Ryan's misconduct for some time. Hardon, acting on orders, tried his best to convince us not to go public with any more information on Ryan's homosexual activity. Hardon, on behalf of Cardinal George and the hierarchy, promised RCF a "relationship" with the hierarchy if we were "obedient".
9. On January 14, 1998 I received a personal call from Archbishop George of Chicago. (The caller ID showed the number [deleted]). He gave me a private fax number of [deleted]. George asked me not to hold our press conference scheduled for the following day. He stated: "If your first priority is to remove Ryan, do not go public." He said the Vatican would not work through the press. He asked RCF to allow the Holy See time to try and remove Ryan. He would not give us any guarantees or make any promises. He never once suggested that there was any doubt about Ryan's misconduct, in fact, George confirmed Hardon's statement regarding the hierarchy's knowledge of Ryan's problems.
10. On January 15, 1998 RCF held a press conference at which time we released Frank Bergen's statement.

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Bad apples attract more bad apples. 'I have secrets about you; you have secrets about me. I won't fink on you; you won't fink on me.' Blackmail and extortion are the ways things are kept quiet in the Church. They were one way to build trust. It's 'I know this about you and you know this about me, so I'll take you along with me.' People go through stages in their lives. They may no longer be active sexually, but they have a sexual history and have to deal with people from their past. (Plante, T. 'Bless me Father for I have sinned' Perspectives on Sexual Abuse committed by Roman Catholic priests' cited in Latin, D. 'Sex scandals bare Church's sordid secrets', San Francisco Chronicle, 14 August 1999, p. 3)

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Father Lawrence Gibbs

SUIT AGAINST PRIEST TIP OF ICEBERG? An attorney representing a victim in a civil suit against Rev. Lawrence M Gibbs, a Joliet priest, says he's received calls from other victims, including two mothers /inking their children's suicides to Gibbs' abuse. The suit accuses Gibbs of using liquor to force a long-term sexual relationship on a boy, starting when he was 11. The victim, now 22, attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The suit says Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Joliet diocese knowingly transferred Gibbs to a position at St. Joseph's in charge of altar boys after he was accused of similar offenses at a church in Lombard. Source: Chicago Sun-Times_1/6/93.

        As you will see, Bishop Joseph Imesch was aware of Fr. Gibbs' sexual contact with young boys as early as 1980 yet he continued to protect and defend Gibbs until 1992 while moving him from parish to parish and allowing him access to other children as a "Catholic Priest." WHY? Also note that Imesch's first auxiliary bishop who served as chancellor of the Joliet Diocese through the 1970s was Bishop Daniel Ryan of Springfield, who resigned as bishop in 1999 after being exposed as an active homosexual who had had sexual relations with boys as young as 15. Now ask the question: Why was Gibbs protected?
        Fr. Gibbs last served at Sts. Peter & Paul, Naperville, Illinois in 1992.
        On January 4, 1993, a Joliet law firm filed a lawsuit against Fr. Gibbs and the diocese of Joliet alleging that this priest sexually abused Joseph Dittrich over 50 times in a seven year period. The suit also alleged that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church knew of the priest's propensities and in an attempt to cover up this horrible situation and without regard to the children who would be abused in the future by this "prolific predator", moved him from parish to parish, even putting him in charge of altar boys.
        In the late 1960s, the priest named in the suit, then a young man, was sent to Joliet to enter the seminary there. He was sent from Chicago's Holy name Cathedral. The then-pastor of Holy Name, Rev. Timothy Lyric, is now a retired auxiliary bishop under Francis Cardinal George.

        The Chancellor of the Joliet Diocese who handled the paperwork for the ordination of Fr. Gibbs was Fr. Daniel L. Ryan, who would become Imesch's auxiliary bishop and later the bishop of Springfield.

        Although Gibbs' ordination was delayed because of some misgivings on the part of several concerned parties-he was finally ordained as a priest of the Joliet Diocese May 12, 1973. Some 6 years later, shortly after Bishop Imesch was installed as bishop in Joliet, 12 years before a lawsuit against Gibbs and the Diocese was filed, Imesch started receiving letters from parents concerning Father's inappropriate sexual contact with their children. Not only did Imesch fail to take action, he defended Gibbs as well.
        It became clear to me, after reading through hundreds of pages of court documents obtained from the courthouse where the suit against him was filed, Father Gibbs was, in a sense, a victim himself. Victimized by a hierarchy that enabled him and seemed to ignore his silent cries for help. The real evil lies with those who enable a sick person to prey on their innocent child-victims.
        Before his ordination, Larry Gibbs admitted having a strong sexual attraction to members of his own sex. Seminary teachers and clergy alike questioned Gibbs' fitness for the priesthood yet no one in authority took action. While at least one psychiatrist and several members of the clergy felt Gibbs was suited for ordination, one clinical psychologist who tested and evaluated Gibbs in 1971 for the diocese wrote:

        The psychopathology noted in this testing would have to he called mild to moderate in degree and may not disrupt this man's work or his behavior as much if he is not put under great stress. I fear for him, if at this time of life, and after the amount of investment the patient has made in his training, that, should he be asked to leave the priesthood, or should he not he ordained, this is the stress that might bring on a psychotic episode. Whatever is done with this patient will have to he carefully planned with the psychiatrist and will have to he carefully presented to the patient.

        On July 3, 1980 Bishop Imesch received a letter from worried parents regarding Fr. Gibbs' contact with their children:

Dear Bishop Imesch:
        We are writing you about the recent investigation concerning Father Larry Gibbs, and the boys from Christ the King Parish.
        We have [deleted by RCF] sons who spent week-ends at his cabin. It is hard to believe that nothing has been done, except to remove him from our parish.
        We are very concerned that he is in another parish, and will probably he working with young boys...

        On July 29, 1980 Imesch received another letter from a concerned mother regarding Gibbs' contact with her son:

Dear Bishop Imesch:
        ... As parents of a 14 year old boy, who had been up to Fr. Lawrence Gibbs cabin last summer, my husband and I were called by the Lombard Police Department May 29th at 6:00 PM requesting we bring our son [deleted by RCF] into the Police Station for questioning...
        ...My concern now is how could this man he sent to a parish where they have a .school? The really sad thing is that he feels he's done nothing wrong. Will he he given the opportunity to hurt other boys and their parents?

        On August 7, 1980 yet another letter was sent to Imesch regarding Gibbs:

Dear Bishop Imesch:
        ...I write with sincere concern over the recently found illness of Father Gibbs. I do not use the word illness lightly. In my opinion, Father Larry is indeed ill.
        It was recently published in the Explorer that Father Larry is now assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Lockport. A parish with a .school. I was horrified at the thought that Father Larry has been placed among our youngsters again in light of his poor behavioral patterns with young men.
        ...Are we to turn our heads and pretend this was all a nightmare at Christ the King and hope it won't happen again?

        Bishop Imesch answered each letter from concerned parents. The following quotes were taken from the Bishop's letters:

• "...there is no reason to believe that Father Gibbs can not minister effectively in a parish situation."
• "...his ministry at Christ the King was very well received by a great number of people."
• "...I believe that Father Gibbs is an excellent priest and has served the people of your parish community extremely well."
• "...I am convinced that he [Gibbs] has been and will be a very effective minister..."
  [Signed]: Bishop Imesch

        The question now is; just what was going on at Father Gibbs' cabin and elsewhere that so upset the parents? While we have no way of knowing exactly what Imesch knew and when, the parents of the abused boys did contact the bishop at least 13 years before some of the lawsuits were filed and Gibbs was removed from "active ministry." Nevertheless, Imesch had an obligation and the authority as well as the means to find out exactly what did happen. We do know some of what was alleged to have taken place at the cabin based on a civil suit filed in 1993.

Jim Roe vs.
The Rev. Lawrence Gibbs,
Bishop Joseph Imesch No. 94 L 00297

15. During the year 1977, the Defendant, REVEREND LAWRENCE M. GIBBS, under the guise of providing counseling and recreation, secured permission from Plaintiff's mother for Plaintiff to accompany him on an overnight stay at Defendant's lake cottage in McHenry County, Illinois. Defendant, REVEREND LAWRENCE M. GIBBS, transported Plaintiff from his home in Lombard, Illinois to the Wonder Lake cabin. After arrival, Defendant, REVEREND LAWRENCE M. GIBBS, provided the Plaintiff with intoxicating liquor and thereafter committed various acts of sexual abuse on the Plaintiff, which abuse continued on numerous occasions. Said abuse included, but was not limited to, the following acts committed by Defendant, or at his direction:

a. On some trips to the Defendant's cabin the Plaintiff was instructed to purchase items on a list prepared by Defendant, including enemas, douche products, suppositories, tampons, diapers, bibs, and condoms.

b. Instructed to remove all of his clothes and stand naked in front of the Defendant while he insisted Plaintiff masturbate.

c. Instructed Plaintiff to undress and put on diapers and to urinate in the diapers and allow Defendant to watch.

d. Required Plaintiff to remain in a state of undress, either naked or clothed in underwear, during his visits to Defendant's cabin.

e. Instructed Plaintiff to drink unknown liquids while blindfolded and also to lay on the floor either naked or with diapers on while Defendant and others poured substances on him.

f. Paddled Plaintiff while in various stages of undress.

g. Blindfolded Plaintiff and tied a brick to his penis under the pretense of playing a game of evidence trust.

h. Furnished alcoholic beverages and tobacco to the Plaintiffs to facilitate his sexual abuse.

i. Inserted or instructed others to insert tampons in Plaintiff's s rectum.

j. Inserted or instructed others to insert suppositories, enemas, and douches in Plaintiffs rectum.

k. Hugged Plaintiff and watched him bathe and helped him dry himself.

16. Defendant, REVEREND LAWRENCE M. GIBBS, has had sexual contact with other minors while in the course of being a Roman Catholic priest.

        In 1997 the above mentioned lawsuit was filed in Will County, Illinois.
        The suit alleges that "John Doe" was sexually abused by Father Lenczycki at St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hillsdale in 1983-1984. Fr. Donald Kocher was Pastor of St. Isaac Jogues Parish and school from August of 1981 to June of 1993 where the abuse allegedly took place. The lawsuit alleges that:

        Fred Lenczycki, with the assistance of other employees of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church (and school] often took the minor child to the residential suite/ or office of Fred Lenczycki, located in St. Isaac's rectory. "

"Forced the minor child to undress and wear a sash; fondled the genitals of the minor child and otherwise touched and caressed the minor child; rubbed his genitals against the minor child while caressing him."

The .sexual abuse... occurred during daily working hours when Fr. Donald Kocher and other Diocese and St. Isaac Jogues employees were present on the first floor of the rectory office... "The Plaintiff as well as at least eight other boys would come to the parish rectory at the request of Fred Lenczycki and would present himself to the rear door of the Parish rectory where he was either met by Father Kocher or other.. Employees who would show the Plaintiff and the other boys up to Fred Lenczycki's residence. ...Father Donald Kocher should have investigated [this activity because] announcements were made over the loud speakers of the school owned and operated by the Diocese ... that the plaintiff and approximately eight other boys, at various times should report to Fred Lenczycki's residence.

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There has been a nationwide pattern which I have observed over the last 35 years. Bishops know of ongoing sexual misconduct by Catholic priests and religious and bishops co-operate to keep such misconduct from becoming public knowledge. The following are uniform practices: failing to investigate indications of any sexual misconduct, even with children; failing to supervise properly the cleric in his assignment, failing to ensure that the cleric is prosecuted for misconduct with children. Once an incident occurs, energy and policies at the highest levels of Church authority have been directed to damage control, avoidance of scandal at all costs, and efforts to placate and manipulate victims and families. The latter often involves intimidation, misleading information, and even fraudulent means, if necessary. Policy also involves maintaining the priest in a new assignment without proper supervision and without informing the congregation where the abusive behaviour usually continues.
(Sipe, A W R, Preliminary expert report, p 16)

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        One must wonder why Fr. Kocher never questioned this activity or attempted to intervene. Maybe it had something to do with Kocher's own sexual misconduct which was made known to the hierarchy of the Joliet Diocese prior to his appointment to St. Isaac Jogues Parish. Homosexual Bishop Daniel Ryan was Chancellor of the Joliet Diocese at the time Kocher's own sexual misconduct was made known to the Diocese.

LOMBARD - The sexual relations of a former pastor apparently went far beyond the one married woman with whom he admitted having an affair. In court documents, Fr. Donald Kocher now admits that he had sexual relationships with about a dozen women since he was ordained 32 years ago.
        A suit brought by the woman, now 42, who served as a pastoral associate, maintains she was fired after she asked to be transferred because of the affair. The suit also names the Diocese of Joliet, charging that church officials were negligent, because in the 1970s a husband had called the bishop and claimed that Kocher had given his wife a sexually-transmitted   disease. Kocher admitted having sex with the woman, but said that Bishop Blanchette had only a brief talk with him about it.
        Kocher served in the US Air Force and four other parishes before he stepped down after admitting the affair.
www.thelinkup.com/crimes98a.html

The moral bankruptcy of the Joliet Diocese was again confirmed several weeks ago when the arguments of counsel for the Defendant, Pastor Donald Kocher, and the Diocese of Joliet successfully convinced our local judiciary that as long as a priest's adulterous relationships with parishioners are consensual in the strictest legal sense of that word, the accompanying harm to the parishioner is no greater than if the victim had been seduced by a friend, neighbor or stranger.

        A priest from the Joliet diocese told RCF: "I know for a fact that Imesch protected Fr. Kocher." He went on to state that: "Bishop Imesch is a liar-a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Father John Furdek.

        "[Wisconsin] Attorney General's Internet Task Force Makes Another Arrest; Illinois Priest Arrested For Attempted Child Enticement"
February I8, 2000
MADISON – Attorney General James Doyle announced today that an Illinois man has been arrested for attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a child over the Internet. The arrest stems from an undercover investigation by special agents of the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) working as part of the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
        Doyle said that special agents arrested John M Furdek, 47, Villa Park, Illinois, late yesterday afternoon in Racine for alleged child enticement and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance to a minor. The Racine County Sheriff's Department assisted DCI with the arrest.
        Furdek is the pastor of St. Alexander's Catholic Church in Villa Park, Illinois. He allegedly traveled to Racine to have .sexual relations with a 14-year-old boy.
        Investigators allege that Furdek met the "boy" in an Internet chat room last month. DCI special agents also allege that electronic messages by Furdek indicated that he wanted to have sex with the "boy. "
        Doyle said that the "boy" that Furdek had been communicating with was actually an undercover DC[ special agent.
        Investigators allege that they seized anabolic steroids (sustenon and omnadren) and a small amount of marijuana in Furdek's car at the time of the arrest. Investigators allege that Furdek told the "boy" that he would bring him steroids when they met.
        Furdek is in custody in the Racine County Jail. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Racine County Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon (Friday, February 18, 2000).
        DCI special agents and officers from the Villa Park (Illinois) Police Department executed a search warrant at Furdek's residence at 135 South Ardmore, Villa Park, Illinois, early this morning. They seized a computer and videotapes...

        On Tuesday, February 22, 2000 meetings were held for parents of Furdek's parish to assist them in answering their children's questions about Fr. Furdek At the meeting parents were invited to .submit written questions to which responses would he provided. Attached are the answers to your questions that were prepared by Diocesan Chancellor, Sr. Judith Davies and psychologists, Drs. Coretto and Leone.

        RCF has obtained a copy of those answers. The very first question asked by parents and answered by Chancellor Davies went as follows.

Q: How did Fr. John slip through the cracks? Why was he sent to St. Alexander's- a parish with a school? Why doesn't the Diocese be more careful when ordaining late-in-life priests—check out their past life?
A: There was no prior history indicating that this type of problem existed. If there had been, Fr. would never have been ordained.....

        The facts in the Furdek case, gathered by RCF before and after his arrest, suggest that the above answer by the Chancellor of the Joliet Diocese is a lie. Of course that may depend on "what the definition of is is." Six years prior to Furdek's arrest Bishop Imesch knew Furdek had a problem yet did nothing and went on to place Furdek in a parish with a school, thereby placing children at risk.

        A Villa Park resident and parishioner from St. Alexander's parish spoke with Fr. Furdek as he exited the Racine County, Wisconsin courthouse. Father told the parishioner that there indeed was a prior "incident six years earlier." On March 16, 2000 I spoke with Furdek by phone and he indeed confirmed that there was a prior incident and that all Bishop Imesch did at the time was "speak of love and forgiveness" and place him back in parish ministry. In a sense Furdek is victim himself.

        In every instance where there is a pattern of abuse, someone in authority has permitted the activity. This permission can he given under the guise of forgiveness.
- Sipe, A.W.R. Celibacy and power, Tablet, 26 November 1994, p. 1504.

        From 1990 to 1992 Fr. Furdek served as Assistant Director of Vocations followed by a term as Associate Director of Vocations.
        On July 27, 1999 RCF interviewed a homosexual male who had attended the AGLO Mass at our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Chicago. Among other bits of information, we were given the names of several priests within the Chicago and Joliet dioceses who where alleged to be practicing homosexuals. Fr. John Furdek was one of the names mentioned. We were also given the name of one of Fr. Furdek's boyfriends and told that according to our source, Furdek's boyfriend informed him that Father had abused altar boys in the past but it was covered up by the diocese. Our informant also told us of a cruise Furdek had gone on with his boyfriend a few years earlier. An NBC news report after Furdek's arrest stated that Furdek "had recently returned from a 2000 gay guy cruise and that [Furdek] had photographs." According to police reports Furdek stated in one of his emails that: "I am only into younger guys... got it."
        After Furdek's arrest the police raided the condominium he owned on the north side of Chicago. There they recovered "a small amount of steroids, a whip, sex toys, adult pornography, and his computer."

Joliet, Illinois.
        On or about February 29, 2000 several Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents along with local authorities raided St. Anthony Parish in Joliet, Illinois. A Copley newspaper report later confirmed that the "Internal Revenue Service is conducting an investigation into the finances of the Church of St. Anthony, which is currently headed by Rev. Author LaPore." RCF had been in contact with concerned parishioners on an ongoing basis since March 15, 1999. The parishioners were concerned about the way in which parish funds were handled. Joliet auxiliary bishop Roger Kaffer stated in a December 13, 1999 letter to concerned parishioners that after an extensive investigation of the parish by the diocese "no evidence of wrong doing has surfaced." Two months later the parish was raided by IRS. As of this date there has been no word concerning the progress of the IRS investigation. RCF has received unconfirmed reports the investigation may be complete as early as August 2001.

PLEA BARGAIN FOR PRIEST.
        The Rev. Myles Patrick White, 51, will serve 4 years in prison under a plea suggested by Indiana prosecutors, who discovered the priest had molested minors when a videotape purchased at a flea market revealed the priest molesting a boy. The sentencing will occur March 5. White faces 5 additional sexual misconduct charges in Illinois. He served in both Culver, Indiana & Kankakee, Illinois. Source: Indianapolis Star 1/9/93.

"GAY" MINISTRY

        In September 2000, several parish bulletins from the Joliet Diocese contained the following announcement:

        The Catholic Family Network will hold a Retreat Day at St. Charles Pastoral Center at Route 53 and Airport Rd. in Romeoville, Illinois for Gays, Lesbians, and Parents of Gays and Lesbians and their children. The Retreat Day is scheduled for October 14th from 9 AM to 3 PM The featured .speaker is Rhea Murray, author of Journey to Moriah. For more information, please call 815-730-9006.

        The Catholic Family Network is an official support group/ministry of the Joliet Diocese, "for parents and friends of gays and lesbians and their children."  It would be fair to assume that since this is an official Catholic organization meeting regularly at Bishop Imesch's Pastoral Center, it would constantly enforce Church teaching regarding homosexuality by presenting the truth in a loving way to homosexuals and their families. In an effort to learn more about the scheduled speaker for this Catholic Ministry of the Joliet Diocese, RCF purchased Murray's book Journey to Moriah and was not surprised to find what this speaker for Imesch's "Gay Ministry" actually believed.
        The book details Rhea Murray's life and her acceptance and defense of her only son's "coming out" as a homosexual.
        At the young age of only 13 Rhea's son Bruce admits to his mother that he is "gay." Rather than searching for a possible cause for her adolescence son's feelings and attempting to get him help, she automatically accepts his homosexuality as something he was born with and immediately enrolls him in a homosexual support group for teens where his "homosexuality" is confirmed and encouraged. Never once did she consider environmental influences such as his being an outcast at school because of his unusual dress code and his mannerisms. Nor did she consider the influence of his only friend who happened to be a homosexual. At thirteen years of age, what child could declare his "homosexuality" without some encouragement from an outside source?

        On page 120 Murray states:

        I wanted him [her .son, Bruce] to fee/ completely free to express all the joy and excitement that only romantic love can evoke, without witnessing even the slightest trace of discomfort on my part in doing so.

        ...as long as AIDS patients continue to die needlessly, and while the (Church continues to deny inclusion at the Lord's table on the basis of a person's .sexual orientation, I know I cannot remain silent.

Investigation of the Joliet Diocese continues
        While we begin our investigations of the Dioceses of Albany and Rochester, we will be bringing you more information regarding the condition of the Joliet Diocese as well as the answer to the question: Why is Bishop Imesch protecting sexually active and, in some cases, pedophile clergy? RCF has many more leads to follow and facts to gather. It is our hope that the laity will distribute this newsletter far and wide and encourage other faithful Catholics to join in the fight.

On May 30, 2001 BPNEWS (http://bpnews.net) Published the article "Homosexuals more likely to molest kids, study reports" by Ken Walker.

Judith Reisman, president of the Institute for Media Education in suburban Louisville, Ky, defended Boy Scouts of America (BSA) reasons for maintaining its prohibition against gay scoutmasters.

"...with 17-24 percent of boys being abused by age 18, nearly as many as the 25 percent of girls, there is cause for concern, she said. Since heterosexuals outnumber the homosexual population about 44 to 1, as a group the incidence of homosexuals molesting children is up to 40 times greater than heterosexuals, she said.

"...Reisman points to figures from a 1991 population study by the U.S. Department of Commerce It showed that 8 million girls were abused by age 18 by heterosexual men, a ratio of 1 victim to 11 adult men. However, 6-8 million boys were abused by age 18 by 1-2 million adult homosexuals, a ratio of 3-5 victims for every gay adult.

"...Reisman also cites a past study which found that `150 boys are abused by one male homosexual offender, compared to 19.8 girls by heterosexual offenders."'

"`We looked at the leading gay travel guide,' Reisman said of her research. `Forty-seven percent of the 139 nations they talked about identified places to find boys. The average heterosexual travel guide is not concerned with fording children."

SUPPORT THE BOY SCOUTS.

"Rainbows of Spirituality"
        The brainwashing continues: A Wanderer reader from the Chicago area sent FTM yet another article from a secular daily illustrating the principle that "adult education" in a Catholic context is just a code word for "brainwashing stupid Catholics."
        Not surprisingly, the news comes from Bishop Joseph Imesch's Diocese of Joliet, Ill. It arrives courtesy of reporter Laura Zahn Pohl of the Daily Herald in a December 30 report titled, "Lecture Series Touches on Various Catholic Topics."
        "Thinking of tackling new issues for the new year?" Pohl asked. "St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville may have some ideas with its expanded continuing education program for adults with a new series of five-week lectures," Pohl continued, adding: "The series introduces an eclectic mix of subjects on the past, present, and future direction of the Catholic Church."
        So what's in store? The first session will be offered by one Jack Hatfield, who "will discuss his practice of Buddhism for the past 25 years." Hatfield, described as a "devout Catholic," will "talk about how meditation complements Christianity in today's hectic world."
        Next up will be Bob Scanlan, a former priest married to a former nun, who will talk about how the Church can benefit by using the services of priests who left their vocation to marry.
        Fr. Bob Colaresi is scheduled to give a talk on "Religious Orders: Rainbows of Spirituality."
        Here's a model of a very modern, modernist parish. The lecture series would be laughable if it were a program advertised by some small, storefront church in a decaying neighborhood, or advertised on the Saturday religion page of the local daily by some up-and-coming pastor setting up a new suburban catch-all church for the neighborhood yuppies.
        Catholics in Naperville probably do not know what the Vatican has to say about such programs held under official Catholic auspices, displacing the proper programs Catholics have a right to expect, so they should write to Bishop Imesch and ask how the program fits in with Pope John Paul II's ideas of adult formation and catechesis and a well-formed laity carrying out the message of Jesus Christ today.
        How does chanting "om" fit in with evangelizing the modern pagan world? Write to Bishop Imesch at: 425 Summit St., Joliet, IL 60435, and ask for his response.