Maine’s Catholic Bishop Calls For Statewide Unity During Lent

By Ted Cohen Maine Wire

The state’s top Catholic is calling for a “commitment to prayer” amid a continually unfolding sexual-abuse controversy.

“If we as a diocese truly repent, truly believe, truly turn to the Father, then something happens,” Bishop James Ruggieri said. “Our parishes will become even more alive. Our charity will become more credible. Our witness becomes even more compelling. And our unity becomes visible.”

But the leading Maine advocates for victims of priestly sexual abuse are calling Ruggieri out, claiming his words fall short.

Voice Of The Faithful In Maine see the bishop’s Ash Wednesday homily’s excerpt calling for “forgiveness to replace resentment” as ironic.

“Why is he refusing to meet with two baptized Catholics?” asked Paul Kendrick of Freeport.

Kendrick is co-founder of the abuse advocates group seeking what it describes as “reparations and justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse.”

The organization is calling on the bishop to meet with them to discuss their concerns.

Kendrick and co-founder Michael Sweatt of North Yarmouth have unsuccessfully sought a meeting with Rev. Steven Cartwright of Falmouth.

They say they want to talk with Cartwright about greater involvement of the lay parish in running the church as well as a private matter that they haven't discussed publicly.

Cartwright has canceled two meetings with Kendrick and Sweatt and the bishop has told all diocese priests not to meet with them.