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St. Joseph Calasanz, founder of the Piarist Fathers in 1617 and later named 'Heavenly Patron of Christian Schools,' was involved in covering up sexual abuse by priests.
St. Joseph Calasanz, Founder (Piarist Fathers 1617, Pious Schools, 1621)Pious throughout his life, Calasanz founded an order of priests who provided for the educational needs of the poor children in Spain. His efforts led to the institution of the Piarist Fathers in 1617 and 'The Order of Pious Schools' in 1621. Expansion of the Pious SchoolsThe Piarist Fathers served the poorest of the poor children, and as a result of their great works they expanded into Italy and Europe. Galileo, Mozart and others of historic note attended including future political figures. At a time when education had been for the rich, the Piarist Father's provided an incredible service to the poor. Suspension of the Pious SchoolsThe Piarist Fathers were suspended in the year 1646 due to the innumerable scandals, both sexual and financial, and were shortly thereafter followed by the death of their founder, St. Joseph Calasanz, at a ripe age of 92 in 1646. The order was reformed in 1656 and given status as a congregation again in 1669 and remains in service around the world today. Sodomy and Sexual Abuse in the Pious SchoolsAlthough there are many extremely well-intentioned men who follow the vows and example left behind by Calasanz of povery, chastity, obedience and dedication to the education of youth, in the time of Calasanz, many men of high station in the order were openly engaged in sodomy and sexual misconduct towards children which was handled in a manner not unlike the recent abuse scandals of our day. There were several priests given positions of high station who lived lives of great opulence on the money given to the schools by the poor. St. Joseph Calasanz was actively involved in the cover ups of these and other abuses according to documentation held in the Vatican Secret Archives. Political Coups to avoid Allegations of Priesthood Sexual AbuseA seriously concerning event occurred when Fr. Mario Sozzi, a priest known for his sodomistic activities who had been promoted repeatedly as a remedy to this problem, came to such a high station in the order that he made a charge stating that Calasanz was no longer capable of running the order due to his age. With full knowledge of hierarchy, he became the superior general of the order. Upon his death, a Father Cherubini followed in his footsteps condoning continued corruption of the order in sexual abuse and financial matters, but repented of his misdeeds upon his deathbed and reconciled with Calasanz.
Promotions and Cover-ups of Priesthood Sexual Abuse in the Vatican and Beyond Regarding the Piarist Order Cardinals, bishops and the pope actively engaged in the cover up of the behavior of clerics by engaging in transfers and promotions for the biggest offenders. Unfortunately, many of these promotions resulted in equal or more contact with other children, many of which became future victims. “The complicity of abuse went as far as the pontiff himself, when Pope Innocent X appointed a man known to be a prolific child abuser in charge of an order dedicated to the education of children [Piarist Fathers].” (Fallen Order, Karen Liebrich, Grove Publishing, New York, 2004) Writings about the Activities of the Piarist Fathers in the Vatican Secret Archives This complaint was leveled by Father Melchiorre, another priest also widely known for his sodomization of children from tribunal letters in the Vatican Secret Archives: “Brother Gasparo della Assumptione di Norcia: I am told that he has been with children, unobservant of the Constititutions, glib of tongue, although appears to be improving.” In Fallen Order, Karen Liebreich states that “If we are to believe Father Melchiorre, the school in Palermo was a fermenting pit of lust, sodomy and child-sex.” Noble Ideal of St. Joseph Calasanz, the Piarist Fathers and the Pious SchoolsSt. Joseph Calasanz had a noble ideal and many priests today follow it heroically. But the fact that the ‘Heavenly Patron of Christian Schools’ openly and knowingly participated in a cover-up of sodomy and sexual abuse against children is something Catholics and society should know. Sources: Dictionary of Saints – By John Delaney, Fallen Order – By Karen Liebreich, Vatican Secret Archives
The copyright of the article The Piarist Fathers in Catholic Clergy is owned by Marilynn Hughes. Permission to republish The Piarist Fathers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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