Maine Advocates For Victims Of Clerical Sexual Abuse Demand Priest Meeting

By Ted Cohen/Maine Wire

An organization devoted to defending victims of clergy sexual abuse is calling out a Falmouth priest for allegedly rebuffing its leaders.

“Our pastor, Rev. Steven Cartwright, won’t tell us why he is refusing to meet with us,” the group says in an “open letter" released to the media.

Paul Kendrick of Freeport and Michael Sweatt of North Yarmouth, co-founders of Voice of the Faithful in Maine, wrote Cartwright that they are “surprised and disappointed” he cancelled a meeting with them.

“Your outright dismissal and rejection, without explanation, of our desire to meet face to face with you has the scent of clericalism, which, you should know, we are loathe to accept,” they wrote.

Kendrick said in an interview he wants to know why Cartwright “is refusing to get together and speak with two baptized Catholics who, according to canon law, are members of the parishes where he serves as pastor.”

Kendrick said he sees no need beyond that to explain or justify why they want to meet with a priest.

The group in its letter described “clericalism” as “a system where clergy hold excessive power, authority and status, creating a divide between them and the non-ordained members which can often lead to diminished lay participation in the church.”

Voice of the Faithful, founded more than 20 years ago, calls itself “persistent, outspoken advocates for meaningful justice for terribly wounded victims of sexual abuse by priests and church workers.”

Cartwright, pastor of Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth, was unavailable for comment.

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Full letter below:

Rev. Steven Cartwright

Pastor

Parish of the Holy Eucharist

Falmouth, Maine

Dear Rev. Cartwright,

We are in receipt of your message canceling our appointment to meet with you in January.

We are surprised and disappointed by your refusal to get together with us.

We take our Baptism seriously.

We are Jesuit educated.

We are co-founders of Voice of the Faithful in Maine. For more than twenty years we have been persistent, outspoken advocates for meaningful justice for terribly wounded victims of sexual abuse by priests and church workers.

As a reminder to you and others, ordained priests are members of the ministerial priesthood.

The common priesthood designates all the baptized.

Clericalism is a system where clergy hold excessive power, authority and status, creating a divide between them and the non-ordained members which can often lead to diminished lay participation in the church.

As such, your outright dismissal and rejection, without explanation, of our desire to meet face to face with you has the scent of clericalism, which, you should know, we are loathe to accept.

After all, we are, according to canon law, parishioners of the parishes of which you are the Pastor.

We all share in the priesthood of Christ.

Our baptism calls us all to be priest, prophet and king.

We would, therefore, like you to reschedule our meeting with you.

We are confused.

Does your rejection letter mean we are barred from attending mass at our parish?

Will you deny us communion?

Will you accept our donations?

Will you ignore us when we are in the church?

Are we excommunicated?

We come in peace.

Looking forward to your response.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Sincerely,
Paul Kendrick
Freeport
Michael Sweatt
North Yarmouth