Statement Regarding Fr. John Wadeson:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(SAN FRANCISCO, JULY 25, 2014) As with all priests who hale from other dioceses, Fr. John Wadeson was granted permission to minister within the Archdiocese of San Francisco based upon assurances of good standing from his home diocese, in this case the Archdiocese of Agana in Guam. On July 22, 2014, the Archdiocese of San Francisco became aware that the Archbishop of Agana, Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, had removed Fr. Wadeson from ministry on July 21, 2014, “in response to concerns in the community.” Therefore, on July 22, 2014, Archbishop Cordileone informed Archbishop Apuron that in response to this information, Fr. Wadeson would not be allowed to undertake any ministry in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, unless and until his home Archdiocese confirms that he is suitable for ministry. The Archdiocese of San Francisco has informed Fr. Wadeson of that restriction as well, and Fr. Wadeson has willingly agreed to observe it.
We welcome and encourage anyone who may have any information concerning any possible wrongdoing by Fr. Wadeson to contact the Victim’s Assistance Office.
For more information contact:
Dr. Renee Duffey
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Victim's Assistance Coordinator
(415) 614-5506
duffeyr@sfarchdiocese.org
Dr. Renee Duffey
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Victim's Assistance Coordinator
(415) 614-5506
duffeyr@sfarchdiocese.org
THERE'S MORE:
"The archdiocese refused and contacted archdiocese officials in Guam after learning he was working there..."
Priest in Guam removed from post over Los Angeles allegations dating to 1970s
LOS ANGELES — A Roman Catholic priest has been removed from his post in Guam over allegations that he molested two boys four decades ago while serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, church officials said Friday.
The Rev. John Howard Wadeson was stripped of his duties in the Archdiocese of Agana on Monday after concerns in the community there about his past and he has since left the U.S. territory, the Guam Pacific Daily News reported (http://bit.ly/1xdcWAe ). Wadeson, whose current whereabouts are unknown, told the paper he was innocent and was leaving to protect his archbishop.
A 2004 report on clergy abuse issued by the Los Angeles archdiocese lists Wadeson as being credibly accused of molesting two people between 1973 and 1977, while he was working as a priest with the Divine Word Missionaries religious order. Wadeson was in the Los Angeles archdiocese between 1972 and 1985 and spent many of those years at Verbum Dei High School, an all-boys Catholic school.
Wadeson's religious order would have been responsible for dealing with the allegations at the time, said Monica Valencia, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles archdiocese.
In 2011, Wadeson asked the Los Angeles archdiocese for authorization to minister once more in Los Angeles because he was traveling in California.
The archdiocese refused and contacted archdiocese officials in Guam after learning he was working there, said archdiocese attorney Michael Hennigan. He said he did not know what was done with the information.
Wadeson made a similar request in San Francisco, which was granted. That archdiocese revoked Wadeson's faculties this week, San Francisco church officials said in a statement Friday.
Wadeson has not been named in any civil lawsuits.
Archdiocese of Agana officials did not respond to phone messages or emails in Guam, where it was already Saturday.
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ARCHBISHOP. ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!
So what about it Archbishop? If he was okay to minister in the Archdiocese of Agana - as you permitted - why not send your assurances to Archbishop Cordileone as requested? He's not even asking for proof that Fr. Wadeson is not guilty of charges, only YOUR assurances. Your move.
ReplyDeleteGod help the church in Guam.
ReplyDeleteThe Archbishop is preparing his homily for tomorrow at the packed Cathedral. Preaching to his flock. He turns his phone off so as not to be disturbed. And getting ready for Saturday Nite LIVE clap, clap, clap!
ReplyDeleteIt is shocking to hear this news and disheartening to know that our Archbishop, is hiding and running from something. Please Archbishop for the sake of your people and, for your own sake, please speak up! The only persecution being done to you comes from your own doing.
ReplyDeleteIf you knew of the allegations of Fr. Wadeson from the very start, even if you just learned about them in 2011 from the Archdiocese in LA, tell us, your flock, that you have no reservations about him. That you believe he deserves a second chance and has proved himself these past 10 years. You forget that we are an understanding people. Show us that you care enough about ALL of us.
Silence is not golden dear Archbishop. Will you speak up to defend Fr. Wadeson? Why have you allowed him all these years, but when the facts are known, you throw him away like an old rag? Is this what you think of your priest, even your beloved NCW priest? What more for those on the outside? What more for your flock, who your are ordained to guide and protect?
This just shows you that sexual abuse allegations just don't go away. Until Fr. Wadeson is cleared of the "credible allegations" against him, he will continue to be considered a priest with a suspicious past and even labeled a pedophile priest and sexual predator by SNAP. He should have never been allowed to work and be incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana in the first place. If Fr. Wadeson was properly screened before incardination, there is no way his being banned from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles due to child molestation allegations would have been overlooked. It’s appearing that Archbishop Apuron knew of this ban and ignored it and the question is why?? This is why the Archbishop’s behavior was labeled “dangerous.” Of course we have yet to hear anything from Apuron who continues to maintain his silence. This is something, however, that cannot be ignored with silence.
ReplyDeleteIt is curious that these child molestation allegations which occurred in the 1970s, thirty some years ago, were never acted upon. One has to wonder that if they were really credible, why weren’t they handled and processed through the criminal justice system? Why weren’t any charges brought against Fr. Wadeson? As indicated in the clergy report, he has never been named in any civil lawsuits. If these allegations are still active, then there might not be any statue of limitations which means they can remain active indefinitely and Fr. Wadeson can be charged anytime. Many states now including Guam have passed laws that do not have any statute of limitation on sexual crimes, especially sexual abuse against children. There have been many occasions where civil suits and criminal prosecution of priests have occurred when the alleged sexual crime took place 20, 30 or more years ago.
On the other hand, if no criminal process ever ensued as a result of the child molestation allegations, then why hasn’t Fr. Wadeson done anything to get these allegations dropped so that he can clear his name. I know that if I was accused of a serious wrongdoing which could have a major adverse impact on my life and my livelihood, I would not hesitate to take whatever measures necessary to clear my good name and reputation. But, as it seems, Fr. Wadeson has apparently done nothing to have the so called credible allegations removed which only raises the suspicion that there might be something to them.
Well thought out comments 12.26pm and 12.35pm. Working together studying the details the game on the hill is confirmed.
ReplyDelete