Bless Me Father – Priest Who Admitted Groping Boy Still Hearing Children’s Confessions
Sometimes you just have to have to ask, "What are they thinking?"
Six years ago, Rev. Michael Fugee in an effort to avoid retrial on charges that he groped a teenage boy, entered a rehabilitation program, underwent counseling for sex offenders, and signed a binding agreement that he would not work in any position involving children has been allowed to do just that. Thanks to the approval of Newark Archbishop John J Myers, New Jersey’s Highest ranking Catholic official.
The agreement which Fugee signed with the Bergen County Prosecutors office states that he would not work in any position involving children, have no affiliation with youth groups, not attend youth retreats nor hear the confessions of minors.
You can read that confession and agreement HERE.
Fugee has done all of those things for the past several years through an unofficial association with St Mary’s Parish in Colts Neck according to the Star Ledger.
The Bergen County prosecutors office, having been made aware of the situation has launched an investigation and appealed to anyone to come forward. Myers spokesman Jim Goodness (that’s his real name) said the archbishop and Fugee were unavailable for comment.
Goodness has denied the agreement had been breached saying the archdiocese has interpreted the document to mean Fugee could work with minors as long as he is under the supervision of priests or lay ministers who have knowledge of his past or conditions of the agreement.
What do you think? Should a priest who admitted to groping a boy be allowed to work with children under any circumstance? I understand the church preaches forgiveness, but I also understand “and lead us not into temptation” Why would anybody put this man, knowing his past, into a situation where he’s not only working with children, but going on retreats with them and hearing their confessions? If this was happening, why wasn’t each and every parent notified of the situation?
Parents should have an expectation of trust when they send their children to church events. When you look at what’s been happening in the Catholic church lately you have to ask. What were they thinking? What are YOU thinking? Please comment below.