Archdiocese of Montreal gives scholarship to convicted pedophile priest

I don't have a lot of time to blog...I really should go to bed. But I must denounce the Archdiocese of Montreal's bestowal of a scholarship on Abbé Phillippe de Maupeou, a priest convicted of pedophilia in 2002. This scholarship is granted to priests who study canon law in order occupy administrative positions in the Church.

No, Fr. Maupeou does not perform any pastoral functions, and yes, he has paid his debt to society. But he committed a very serious crime, not to mention a grave sin. Should a man with that kind of past be employed by the Church administration? Oh sure, I could see him being hired to do menial work-- to reflect the gravity of his acts. But an administrative position?

Sorry. That does not fly.

I'm all for forgiveness, but appearances matter, too. Giving this priest an important job gives the impression that the diocese doesn't think that what he did was very wrong.

It's really too bad that this news had to come in the wake of Cardinal Turcotte's announcement that he is returning his Order of Canada. He did the right thing on that point. Why can't he avoid scandal to the church and re-assign the priest to a much more humble position.

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