Whistle Blowing

A good friend of mine attends a church pastored by a man who was accused, years ago, of sexually abusing a boy in his early teens. After the accusation was made, the priest went into retirement, but was given a pastorate by the new archbishop, with whom he has a long friendship.

My friend was told by someone else that he had been accused of sexual impropriety, found an article in a reputable paper confirming the story, and alerted her fellow parishioners, many of whom changed churches. A few weeks ago, she went back to the church for a mass at which another priest was officiating. One of the parishioners actually barred her entrance to the church and refused to let her enter. When my friend responded that she was a Catholic and had a right to enter the church and receive the sacraments, she was told "You ruined this church and you can't come in."

Such is the fate of whistle blowers.