Deep Thoughts: Rev. John Wielebski suspended

Monday, January 11, 2010

Rev. John Wielebski suspended

Catholic priest John Wielebski of the Archdiocese of Baltimore was suspended from his role as pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord Church after allegations that he molested three young men in the late 80s.

The misconduct is alleged to have occurred while Wielebski was at St. Dominic Church in Baltimore, where he was assigned from 1985 to 1988, and Monsignor Clare J. O'Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks, where he was assigned from 1988 to 1991.

The archdiocese was investigating an allegation Wielebski had sexually abused a minor when it learned of additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving two young men, the archdiocese said.

There has been a change within the Catholic church. They cooperate with investigations and take immediate steps to remove the accused priest while he is under investigation. It only took them what… 1600 years?

Update 1/12/2009 –I found his profile

Our pastor, Father John T. Wielebski, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Fr. John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In 1966, he was ordered to Japan and then reassigned to South Vietnam a year later. In May of 1968, Fr. John was wounded in battle and awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Upon his return to the States, he attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. After graduation, he moved to Baltimore and joined a religious community.

In 1978, after graduation from St. Mary's Seminary & University, Fr. John was ordained a Catholic Priest. Since that time, his assignments have included the following: Chaplain, United states Penitentiary, Marion, IL.; Superior of a Monastery in Pikesville, MD; founder and director of Redeemer House, a home for the homeless in Baltimore; Director of the Youth Retreat House in Sparks, MD; and Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Cumberland, MD. Fr. John has been with us at Resurrection Parish since 1999.

Wielebski has an impressive history and some staunch supporters. I hope the allegations are untrue.

Linked on Hypocrisy Watch on Google Maps

Technorati Tags: Catholics,Clergy Sexual Abuse

Comments (64)

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Dromedary Hump 32p · 799 weeks ago

" Wielebski has an impressive history and some staunch supporters. I hope the allegations are untrue."

I always play the odds. With something in the neighborhood of 80% accusal to conviction rate for clergy, I'm comfortable offering 2:1 odds on a $50.00 bet that the allegations are true.

If he kills himself before trial it's a "push."
Takers??

1 reply · active 799 weeks ago

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Dromedary Hump 32p · 799 weeks ago

Sheesh...Mojoey... now I have to give better odds.
C'mon, I'm tryin' to make a buck here
;-)

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Peggy · 799 weeks ago

"If he kills himself before trial it's a push." You're an insenstive jackass.

1 reply · active 798 weeks ago

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J Boris · 799 weeks ago

I was one of Fr. john's CCD school students during the late 70's and find it very hard to believe that he was remotely capable of the alligations against him. I also would be willing to testify as acharacter witness that he would not be capable of molesting others. For those that are covering the odds and soliciting bets.....you are an idiot.

1 reply · active 799 weeks ago

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J Eaton · 798 weeks ago

Father John married my daughter and son-in-law and baptized my grandchildren. I knew he was a homosexual and it unnerved me because I believe a Roman Catholic Priest is supposed to be celebate. I have no issue with anyone's choice of sexuality, but I have a big issue with gay priests. There is too much power and trust given and the predator will take its prey. He was known to entertain young men in the rectory and at his church provided home.

2 replies · active 798 weeks ago

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J. Eaton · 798 weeks ago

I wondered if he was a pedophile but I had hoped not. While he may have many accomplishments in his life including a wounded war veteran of distinction, Father John Wiebelski made choices and I believe he hurt innocents and for that, he will be punished, in spite of all the good he did for many. It is the damage he did to the few, the unknowns and the soon to be known, like other Roman Catholic priests that destroyed my faith in my church years ago. Shame on him; and for those who support him: if you consider the feelings of confusion and shame that his victims feel to this day and will for the rest of their lives, then you have the right to call yourselves a follower of Jesus Christ, and Mary, mother of God. Standing by a pedophile is not what Jesus or Mary would have you do...

1 reply · active 798 weeks ago

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Guest · 797 weeks ago

As far as removing him before trial, I believe that is wrong. This is because as the law states, a person is innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, he should have been able to continue his duties as a priest.

1 reply · active 797 weeks ago

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Rainman · 797 weeks ago

Court? How can Fr.John have a trial when the police CLOSED the case a week ago for lack of evidence.Call and find out for yourselves.I did enjoy reading all the comments from the small minded people on here.I would like to know where Bart gets his facts.It sounds like he makes them up as he goes along.My opinion was that he was innocent all along.I know both Father John and the scumbag accusers.

3 replies · active 797 weeks ago

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Guest · 797 weeks ago

Has the priest been cleared? His picture is back up on his church's website?

13 replies · active 797 weeks ago

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guest10 · 792 weeks ago

Hey MOJOEY,
Any news you seem the most in the know, I was wondering if anything came of this?

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Itstheorientation · 791 weeks ago

Just because the case is closed doesn't mean Fr W is innocent. What it most likely means is the Church bought the accusers off w/your donations. So far $2-3 billion of Catholic donations have gone that way.

2 replies · active 790 weeks ago

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Itstheorientation · 791 weeks ago

A big clue that the allegations are probably true can be found in this article which states that your parish "doesn't have a school." I wonder why it was important to send Fr. W to where there wasn't a school.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1999-08-13/news/...

2 replies · active 774 weeks ago

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rlorenz7 · 788 weeks ago

There was never a Church policy published and signed by any Pope in history condoning these acts of HOMOSEXUALITY or PEDOPHILIA. What is amazing is the number of practicing Catholics that want to accept homosexuality as a lifestyle in the public life but not the religious life. It was this tacit acceptance of homosexuals into the sminaries years ago that have caused this problem. It is HOMOSEXUALITY that is going on here NOT PEDOPHELIA. Look azt the record. If you are so scandalized by these "allegations" then go elsehwere to worship the "God" or Church you don't seem to know or understand. The church doesnt need you. Nor do I. Go elsewhere and spread your venom. I think you may find a home in the Episcopalin liturgy. Enjoy your policitally correct religon.

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Karen · 786 weeks ago

I just found out about this. I was very close to Father John when he was at St. Dominic's. He helped me and my family. He was always respectful, professional and kind!

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LCM · 781 weeks ago

This is an atheists blog with absolutely no connection to Father John or Resurrection. The author lives in California and from the looks of the blog, pretty much dedicates his time to posting about religious figures accused of abuse.

Doesn't mean these comments are true. Doesn't mean what he says is true. Father John is innocent until proven guilty and people need to be reminded of that. People lie, not just criminals, so you cannot assume that it's true just because he is accused.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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W. McCollum · 779 weeks ago

The charges were dismissed, but the church has decided to remove Father John from the ministry. They've gone from protecting the guilty to punishing the innocent. Watch for volunteerism and monetary contributions to decline dramatically in his former parish.

4 replies · active 778 weeks ago

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cast the first stone · 775 weeks ago

The allegations are over 22 years ago. Child molesters don't stop. This was a CYA by the catholic church's high up officials, which is what they always do and why they let real molestation go on for years. There was a criminal investigation and the police totally cleared him. Anyone who becomes a priest is nuts - just look at the support you get.

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stewart · 142 weeks ago

charges dropped because everyone involved was over age of consent .

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