Bart Aslin of Dexter, Mich., recently sent me the following (edited) e-mail: “I am a former priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, and I confirm the stories concerning Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. The instances of him sleeping with seminarians goes back to when he was bishop of Metuchen. I was originally a seminarian with the Diocese of Metuchen and transferred to Newark.

"I did not attend Seton Hall University, but rather Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md. It was common knowledge that McCarrick engaged in this activity.

“Just prior to my leaving the archdiocese, I spoke with [priest’s name deleted] who was living in residence at [parish name deleted]. [Priest’s name deleted] told me McCarrick wanted him to sleep with him. [Priest’s name deleted] took an extended leave of absence after that.

“During my five years of seminary training and five years of priesthood, I was confronted with many instances of homosexuality. It disillusioned me and led to my leaving the priesthood and eroding my faith in the Church. Now married with three children, I find it extremely difficult to have respect for a Church hierarchy that elevated McCarrick to the level of cardinal. The Church knew of his activities; I have no doubt about that.
“I pray that those abused by this man will find peace in their lives.”
In a subsequent (edited) e-mail, Aslin stated: “[Priest’s name deleted] said when he refused to sleep with the archbishop, the archbishop responded, ‘I just want to sleep with you [name deleted]; I don't want to [expletive] you.’”


Related links:

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/10469.html

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/11506.html


(Matt C. Abbott is a Catholic journalist and commentator. He is a columnist for and/or contributor to TheConservativeVoice.com, RenewAmerica.us, MichNews.com, Catholic.org, Opeds.com and Speroforum.com. He can be reached at mattcabbott@hotmail.com.)