Render Unto Rome

by Jason Berry

  6. Peter Entell, director, Shake the Devil Off, Show and Tell Films, 2007. The documentary provides a poignant treatment of the protest Mass and the struggles at St. Augustine.

  7. Peter Finney Jr., “Financial Recovery Continuing for Archdiocese,” Clarion Herald, September 4, 2010.

  8. Bruce Nolan, “Catholic Church Quantifies Katrina Damage,” Times-Picayune, July 26, 2008.

  9. Jason Berry, “Mass Protests,” Gambit Weekly, November 4, 2008.

  10. Andrew Walsh, “Losing Patience with the Vatican,” Religion in the News 13, no. 1 (Summer 2010).

  11. Jason Berry, “What Benedict Must Do,” PoliticsDaily.com, March 30, 2010.

  12. Associated Press, “Pope Celebrates Easter Mass, Hailed by Cardinal,” April 5, 2010.

  13. Paddy Agnew, “Vatican Hits Back Against Criticism of Child Sex Abuse,” Irish Times, April 8, 2010.

  14. David Gibson, “A ‘Failed Papacy’? How Benedict XVI Got into This Mess,” PoliticsDaily.com, April 18, 2010.

  15. John L. Allen Jr., “Vatican Statement on Maciel, Legionaries,” NCR Today, May 1, 2010. Allen’s blog included a full translation of the “Communiqué of the Holy See,” released in Italian that day.

  16. Jason Berry, “Maciel’s Son to Sue Legion,” National Catholic Reporter, June 20, 2010.

  17. Ibid.

  18. U.S. District Court of Oregon, case no. CV 02 430 MO, John Doe v. Holy See, April 3, 2002.

  19. Plaintiff’s Memorandum in Support of Jurisdictional Discovery, John Doe v. Holy See, September 8, 2010.

  20. John Doe v. Holy See, 557 F.3d 1066 (9th Civ. 2009) cert. denied, 130 S. Ct. 3497 (2010).

  21. Borré provided his exchange of letters (translated from the Italian) with Archbishop Sambi that reference key points of their discussion to buttress his account of their dialogue.

  22. Lisa Wangsness, “Archdiocese Regaining Its Financial Footing,” Boston Globe, June 11, 2010.

  23. James P. McDonough, “Chancellor’s Annual Overview,” Archdiocese of Boston Financial Report for the Year Ending June 30, 2009, p. 7.

  24. Archdiocese of Boston, “St. Francis of Assisi School to Consolidate with Cheverus School and St. Joseph School,” BostonCatholic.org, May 20, 2010.

  25. Katherine Q. Seelye, “For Priest, Intersection of Faith and Doubt,” New York Times, May 16, 2010.

  26. Robert Bowers, e-mail to the author.

  27. Stephanie Barry, “Historical District Under Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield Wins Backing of Federal Judge,” Springfield Republican, January 6, 2011.

  28. Christopher Lamb, “North-East Faces Steep Fall in Numbers of Priests,” The Tablet, January 22, 2011.

  29. Michael Rubinkam, “Catholics Win Rare Victories on U.S. Church Closures,” Associated Press, March 6, 2011.

  EPILOGUE: BENEDICT XVI: POPE OF IRONIES

  1. Jason Berry, “Is the Church Really This Blind?” Los Angeles Times, November 11, 2007.

  2. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Summary of Key Findings, The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, February 25, 2008.

  3. Patrick Schiltz, “The Future of Sexual Abuse Litigation,” America, July 7, 2003.

  4. Jason Berry, “Gambling with History: Benedict and the Legion of Christ,” National Catholic Reporter, December 29, 2010.

  5. Wilton Wynn, Keeper of the Keys: John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II—Three Who Changed the Church (New York, 1988), p. 161.

  6. Alessandro Speciale, “Unmasking the Vatican’s Bank,” GlobalPost, January 25, 2011.

  7. Guy Dinmore, “Sicily Probe Adds to Vatican Bank Pressure,” Financial Times, November 3, 2010.

  8. Russell Chandler, “Focus of Controversy: Ratzinger: Point Man for the Vatican,” Los Angeles Times, November 7, 1986.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My literary agent, Steve Hanselman of Level Five Media, was the catalyst for this book. I was finishing a documentary when Steve suggested an investigation of church finances; he arranged a meeting with Trace Murphy, editorial director of Doubleday Religion, who had alerted Steve to his deepening interest in the subject. To these good men, my lasting thanks.

  I extend my gratitude to Maureen Clark, who did a superb job as copy editor.

  The reporting on Father Maciel and the Legion of Christ sent me to Mexico City many times before the final leg for this book. My cousin, Victoria Miranda de la Pena, and her husband, Willi Frehoff Evers, welcomed me into their home with a graciousness I will never forget. In March 2010 Victoria seemed to be in remission from cancer; her death the following fall is a continuing source of sorrow. To Willi, Dagmar, and Armin, and to Monica Miranda and Ignacio Gómez: Un abrazo tierno con mucho amor. Mil gracias otra vez.

  This book straddles journalism and history. Many articles formed the building blocks for certain chapters. I had substantial help along the way.

  Above all, I thank the Fund for Investigative Journalism in Washington, D.C., particularly board member Margaret Engel, for support on this book and previous projects. To the Joe Busam Foundation, notably Barb Kelly, John Busam, and the late Claire Busam, I am grateful for the grants that facilitated my research in Rome and, previously, on the documentary film Vows of Silence.

  Esther Kaplan and Joe Conason at the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute provided timely support for a National Catholic Reporter series on Father Maciel’s financial history. At NCR I have been lucky to work closely with editor-at-large Tom Roberts, a writer’s editor in the best sense. Joe Feuerherd, the publisher and editor-in-chief, was of great help on the Follieri reporting. Likewise, to editor Tom Fox and attorney David Korzenik, many thanks.

  I am grateful to Special Agent Theodore V. Cacioppi of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York for his insights on the Follieri prosecution; to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Southern District of New York, for sending documents; and to the FBI for facilitating my Freedom of Information Act request.

  Jack Ruhl, professor of accountancy and associate dean of the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University, drew upon his extensive research on financial statements of Catholic dioceses in answering many questions; he also gave a close reading of several sections.

  Joseph Claude Harris provided data from his research on diocesan collections and was unfailingly helpful. Michael W. Ryan, an authority on church embezzlements and missing funds, shared his findings and opinions with refreshing candor.

  Terence McKiernan and Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org have done pioneering work to create this online archive, which was of great help to me. For anyone interested in the internal politics of the church, BishopAccountability is an unparalleled resource. Many thanks to Leon C. Podles, author and a founder of BishopAccountability, for support of my production work and the early research on church closings.

  In like measure, a debt of lasting gratitude to Eugene Kennedy, for advice of many years, and to Merry O’Donnell, for generous friendship.

  I am grateful to Peter Borré for his time and information in the interviews, e-mails, and phone calls; and to his wife, Mary Beth, and her mother, Rose Mary Piper. Likewise, to Peter’s cousin, Marie Roth, for the genealogical research.

  For assistance in various ways: Thomas Powers; Gerard Wimberly; Carolyn Disco; Tim Watson of Ariel Montage; Louise Rosen and Emily Radaker of Louise Rosen Ltd; Channing Penna; Jackie Renner; Julie Anderson; Therese Gahler; Mike Finnegan; Pat Noaker; Tom Byrne; Anastasia and Will Lyman; Ann and Alan Klonowski; Pat and Bill Nordstrom; Ginny and Larry Hoenhe; the late Reverend David A. Boileau; Barbara Fortier; Harold Baquet and Cheron Brylski; Alden Hagardon; Dan Bartley, president of Voice of the Faithful; Donna Doucette, the executive director; Peg Clark and other VOTF members too numerous to mention; Steve Sheehan and Kristine Ward of National Survivor Advocates Coalition News; SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) leaders Barbara Blaine, David Clohessy, Barbara Dorris, and Peter Isely.

  To these priests who spoke on-the-record: Bob Begin, Jon Conley, Stephen
Fichter, Bruce Teague, Robert Bowers, Stephen Josoma, Robert Marrone, Thomas Reese, SJ, Jerome LeDoux, SVD. I thank certain clerics of the Curia, the Legion of Christ in Rome, and former Legionaries who remain anonymous at their request.

  To those who gave substantial time for interviews and follow-up questions: Sister Christine Schenk, CSJ, Christopher Kunze, Jeff Anderson, Manny Vega, Juan Vaca, José Barba, Nicholas Cafardi, Tom Doyle, Marci Hamilton, Ginny Hull, Ray Boucher, Anthony Dimarco, Steve Rubino, Patrick Wall, John Manly, Paul Lennon, Glenn Favreau, Genvieve Kineke, Melanie Bonvicino, Santiago Feliciano Jr., Joseph Smith, Phil Kushner, Cleveland city councilman Mike Polensek, and Massachusetts state representative Brian Wallace.

  A special appreciation to Clancy DuBos of New Orleans’s Gambit Weekly for publishing my first reports on parish closings.

  In my research consulting for ABC News, I’ve been privileged to work with Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz, Ron Claiborne, and Bill Blakemore.

  Journalist Betty Clermont, author of The Neo-Catholics, provided valuable research, often on short notice; Michael J. Luke of WWL TV, New Orleans, did extensive Web research; and Alessandro Speciale in Rome, a correspondent with GlobalPost and other outlets, who helped with reporting for the second chapter and generously assisted me in the Vatican research. Thanks also to Dennis Sadowski of Catholic News Services.

  For various forms of help in Rome: Robert Mickens, correspondent for The Tablet; Massimo Franco of Corriere della Sera; Sandro Magister of L’Espresso; Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press; Marco Politi of La Repubblica; Eldio Fazi and Olimpia Ellero of Fazi Editore; Giovanni Avena of Adista; Gioia Avvantaggia; the Reverend Frederico Lombardi, SJ, of the Holy See Press Office; the author and journalist Philip Willan; John Phillips; Patrizia Velletri; Kristine Ward; author Michael Mewshaw; Cinzia Scagliarini; Glenn Favreau; Paul Lennon; and José Barba. For assistance in translations from the Italian, Grady Hardy and Rosy Santella.

  In Mexico City, muchisimas gracias to Jose de Cordoba of the Wall Street Journal and his wife, Gina Manfredo, for invaluable assistance; author David Lida; José Barba for sharing his indefatigable research and contacts; Ciro Gómez Lleyva, the broadcast journalist and editor and columnist for Milenio, for his long coverage of Maciel. A special tribute to Carmen Aristegui of CNN Mexico and MVS Radio for her continuing focus on these issues and for her narration of the Spanish edition of my film. Carmen’s compelling book, Marcial Maciel: Historia de un criminal (Grijalbo), was published as I finished this one. I owe a special debt to Roberta Garza, a Milenio editor who shared her family history in interviews and subsequently published articles of mine in translation. I am grateful to attorney José Bonilla for his assistance in a long and informative interview. I have profited from the scholarship of Jean Meyer, Fernando M. González, and Elio Masferrer Kan and from dialogue with each of them. Alejandro Espinosa (author of El Legionario), Saúl Barrales, José Antonio Pérez Olvera, Arturo Jurado, and Juan José Vaca waged a long struggle against Maciel at the Vatican. I thank them for their trust; likewise, the Reverend Félix Alarcón who spent a day with me in Madrid, opening portals to the past. The author Alfonso Torres Robles was equally helpful during my time in Madrid.

  For fielding questions from Chile, thanks to journalist Pascale Bonnefoy, and to Andrea Insunza, coauthor of a valuable book on the Legion.

  Charles Sennott, managing editor of GlobalPost, provided an outlet for my initial reports from Rome in 2009. A former Boston Globe correspondent, Charlie gave advice on the Boston chapters. Carl M. Cannon, author and executive editor of PoliticsDaily, also provided a forum for my articles, and a sharp reading of the California chapter. Thanks also to PoliticsDaily editor in chief Melinda Henneberger and PD religion correspondent David Gibson.

  Michael Paulson of the Boston Globe was helpful at the start of my work in 2008; so were columnist Kevin Cullen, former Spotlight team editor Walter V. Robinson, reporters Stephen Kurkjian and Michael Rezendes along the way. James O’Toole, the Clough Millennium Professor in History at Boston College, gave a timely critique of the second chapter. Anthony Penna, an emeritus historian at Northeastern University, was most helpful on the Boston sections.

  Professor John Tutino of the Georgetown University history department went beyond the call of duty in his advice on two chapter drafts. Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor at the Harvard Divinity School, offered guidance on prosperity theology at a crossroads in my research. Marcus Smith, an emeritus professor of English at Loyola University of New Orleans, used a sharp lens on this book as he has on previous ones I’ve done. My wife, Melanie McKay, a vice-provost at Loyola, gave a close reading, reviewing several sections more than once, providing a valuable critique for which, as always, I am in her debt.

  For insights on Vatican politics and the history of Italy, thanks to author Robert Blair Kaiser; historian Howard Hunter of New Orleans; Professor David I. Kertzer of Brown University; the Reverend Thomas J. Reese, SJ, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center of Georgetown University; Professor Linda Carroll of Tulane University; and for facilitating my research in the Los Angeles archdiocesan archives, Monsignor Francis J. Weber.

  James McCarty at the Plain Dealer and Bill Sheil of WJW TV were of great help on the Cleveland chapters. Thanks to attorney Michael McMenamin; reporter Michael O’Malley at the Plain Dealer; Patsy McGarry, Peter Murtaugh, Simon Carswell, and Mary Raftery of the Irish Times; Mick Peelo of RTE in Dublin; Bruce Nolan of the Times-Picayune whose insights on the New Orleans archdiocese were of great benefit. Doug Smith of the Los Angeles Times did an extensive search of the paper’s database, culling articles that saved me days of work. Jean Guccione, a former Los Angeles Times reporter, shared insights from her coverage and read a chapter draft. Thanks also to Peter Pach and Bernard Davidow of the Hartford Courant; Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet correspondent in Vienna; Elena Curti, deputy editor of The Tablet in London; Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Marie Rohde and Tom Heinen, formerly of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; John Thavis and Dennis Sadowski of Catholic News Service; and Bruce Kelley of San Francisco Magazine.

  To my mother, Mary Frances; my daughter, Simonette; and my wife, Melanie, thank you, each and all, for the radiance that lights my life.