Friday, September 17, 2010

Pastor Wallace Harris resigns

WallaceHarrisYou man know Monsignor Wallace Harris as the highest-ranking black priest in New York, or as the priest who arranged the Yankee Stadium mass for Pope Benedict, or even as the priest who swore in New York's Gov. Paterson. You know, the nice looking guy who baptized your baby or taught your kid’s catechism class. Ring a bell? Yes? Great, he just resigned over his alleged abuse of 10 people when they were kids.

For now, Harris remains an ordained priest but he "will never again publicly function or present himself as a priest," Archbishop Timothy Dolan in a letter to parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo Church on West 141st St.

The Chicago-based Survival Network for Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) blasted Dolan for "quietly and deceptively" letting Harris resign and not laying his crimes out to his flock.

He dodged a bullet in 2008 when the statute of limitations prevented the prosecution of two cases. And a fan page circulated that espoused the good side of Monsignor Wallace. I’m sure he did a lot of good things while serving as a priest, he did at least 10 bad things too. Many of these pedophile priests accomplish great things, but it is all meaningless after abuse surfaces.

Related articles
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

Comments (6)

Loading... Logging you in...
Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout
  • Logged in as
0 Vote up Vote down
L.H. Esq.'s avatar

L.H. Esq. · 705 weeks ago

There has been no evidence/information provided that will make me believe the things that people have alleged against Msgr. Wallace Harris. Msgr. Harris was one of the most honorable and loveable people you would want to know. Think of how easily false accusations of sexual abuse by a priest can be made, and how easily they would be believed by the masses. Any human being in his position, having been falsely accused, would resign. I do not condone the sexual abuse of children. Neither do I condone ruining a person's life by making false accusations.. accusations that may be motivated by greed, jealousy, immaturity or just plain evil. By losing Msgr. Harris, so many people have lost so much. The works and influence he would have made in the lives of others will never be realized. He was a major part of my life and my faith, as he brought me closer to the church and closer to God. His loss is an immeasurable one.

Please, don't be so quick to believe the things you hear or read in the media. History has taught us that it isnt always the wisest thing to do.

L.H., Esq.
1 reply · active 690 weeks ago
0 Vote up Vote down
EGS's avatar

EGS · 690 weeks ago

What evidence would you accept?
0 Vote up Vote down
RMR's avatar

RMR · 689 weeks ago

Real evidence! The kind that's clear and convincing. The kind that proves all of the allegations that have surfaced some twenty years after they transpired.

An allegation does not prove guilt and judging an individual in the court of public opinion is not how individuals ought or should be treated.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE, CLEAR AND CONVINCING OR CIRCUMSTANTIAL, THE PROVES MSGR. HARRIS' GUILT. The only crime is that a man who spent his entire life doing good, was never given the opportunity to defend and clear his name. I would accept the truth, from all parties, and nothing else.
0 Vote up Vote down
RMR's avatar

RMR · 689 weeks ago

Real evidence! The kind that's clear and convincing. The kind that proves all of the allegations that have surfaced some twenty years after they transpired.

An allegation does not prove guilt and judging an individual in the court of public opinion is not how individuals ought or should be treated.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE, CLEAR AND CONVINCING OR CIRCUMSTANTIAL, THE PROVES MSGR. HARRIS' GUILT. The only crime is that a man who spent his entire life doing good, was never given the opportunity to defend and clear his name. I would accept the truth, from all parties, and nothing else.
0 Vote up Vote down
EGS's avatar

EGS · 673 weeks ago

What is real evidence in a situation where someone is molested? And clear and convincing to who? YOU? Someone who is clearly biased? The right people were convinced. That's why he was removed. Do you really want to know the truth? I suspect not. However, the truth is the truth whether you accept it or not. And what makes you an expert on the evidence?? How do you know what evidence there is? You have no idea what you are talking about. You think you know this man. I thought I knew this man. I knew him most of my life. He married my siblings, baptized my children, buried my mother. He's in my family photos....and I was fooled. He had an opportunity to clear his name but instead he wrote some ambiguous note, trying to imply that he was leaving for health reasons.
1 reply · active 673 weeks ago
Loading...
+2 Vote up Vote down
Mojoey's avatar - Go to profile

Mojoey 107p · 673 weeks ago

Right... so what are you trying to say?

Post a new comment

Comments by

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)