Police Remove a Father from Mass for the Crime of Responsible Parenthood

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia when a priest was caught in two separate incidents downloading thousands of images of pornography and law enforcement publicly voiced their concerns, he was given two leaves of absence before Archbishop Charles Chaput reassigned him to the Cathedral of St Peter & Paul. The laity is so jaded in Philly that it elicited no more than a shoulder shrug from parishioners who are used to being lied to and betrayed. The porno priest was on the altar at high school baccalaureate masses held at the Cathedral. The ultimate insult because no one is going to get up in protest and leave their child’s special day. Just have a creep lurking on the altar. It’s a typical day in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Now there is a similar situation playing out in Cincinnati but with a different response from the laity. A story that began as possible pornography involving porn sites that depict sex with corpses and other depraved scenarios allegedly found on a priest’s laptop has now evolved into what seems to be a “sextortion” story with the priest being scammed of a large sum of money in an international online blackmail scheme. Past behavior was threatened to be revealed to his parish. When a letter from the Archbishop was read at Mass this past weekend, one parent stood up and wanted the truth. He was escorted from the church by local police who had been called prior to Mass in case their was any conflict. Supposedly a voice from the altar on the video tells the father that this was not the place for his questions. Then why have the letter read at Mass? The “sextortion” part of this sordid story only was revealed by the press, not by the diocese.

Just like in Philly, the hierarchy in Cincinnati use the passivity of being a participant at Mass as the venue to discuss topics that they don’t want to be questioned about. Instead of calling a parish meeting, they read short statements about misconduct or crimes of the clergy at Mass to an audience that sits quietly The father in Cincinnati who had enough and spoke up, also happens to be an NFL player. The story and video of Jake McQuaide being removed from the church is going viral. He is being hailed as a hero for speaking up. I agree. How sad is it though that we refer to parents as heroes for simply acting as a parent who wants their children in a safe environment. It shouldn’t be heroic. It should be standard behavior. The fact that this is getting more news coverage because McQuaide is an NFL player is truly a blessing. The truth that McQuaide demanded from his pew is now being asked on a national stage.

In talking with local Catholics who I speak with about abuse and misconduct cases here in Philly, I tell them to change out the word “”priest” and insert “soccer coach.” Change out the word “archdiocese “and insert the word “soccer organization.” Would they stand for their children to be exposed to such deviants at the local soccer organization? Would they stand for the decades of child rape? The continued lies? The “soccer coaches” being excused for alarming behavior that the rest of the soccer organization would be fired for? If yes, they need their heads examined. If no, they would not accept this from the local soccer club, but do not speak up within the Catholic Church, then they are putting what they believe is their salvation in front of their child’s safety.

If they do not speak up within the Church for their own children they are functioning in a cult like mentality. The most tragic cases to read from past decades are those that happened when the laity had no idea about clergy sex abuse. When trusting parents thought that the church environment was actually the safest place for their child. So did I. But now we know. There are countless Grand Jury reports and criminal investigations. Many articles or books written about the cover ups by whistle blowers. Sites such as Bishop Accountability where any diocese can be researched. Our site which focuses on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In 2025, if Catholic parents are not informing themselves they are either being naive or negligent and the target is squarely on their child. We often read about clergy abuse victims being vulnerable in some way and many think that means that the victims came from a broken home. Actually many victims come from devout intact families. The child predator priest exploits the faith of the family. They exploit the trusting and the uninformed. Especially now that so many have taken their children and left.

When we first began our efforts in 2011, we often asked “Where are all the priests?” Why was Fr Chris Walsh the only Philly priest who joined our efforts to protect children? A wife of a survivor commented and asked “Where are all the parents?” That of course has changed in the past decade and the largest divide in laity is now between the informed and uninformed.

That divide is now playing out in Cincinnati with the laity who want a safe environment for their children, accountability from the hierarchy, and those who remain Church apologists in the face of sordid details. The blind faith crowd calls out the responsible parents as somehow being bad Catholics. They always portray themselves as more holy than the responsible parents who speak up for children and accountability. Always.

Jake McQuaid showed his children that he will not be quiet. If we expect our children to speak up for their safety, then what message is being sent when they see their parents sit passively in pews listening to whatever version of a situation that church officials feel we deserve. Heads up, they don’t think we deserve much.

Protect your children. Be part of the informed.

The church counts on passivity of the laity. It’s the only way that misconduct and abuse continues. Do not be part of the problem. Be part the solution. Your children are watching.

Read about the Cincinnati story here:

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/west-side-church-parishioner-escorted-out-of-mass-after-demanding-answers-about-priest-accused-of-viewing-porn

The Philadelphia porn priest story here:https://www.yahoo.com/news/priest-return-porn-investigation-questions-124741876.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall