Advocacy group calls for Jackson Bishop’s resignation
A Mississippi advocacy group had harsh criticism of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson Thursday as a former Starkville priest was indicted for federal wire fraud, while church leadership avoided further prosecution in a separate deal.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is a nonprofit group that works to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
The group in a statement on Thursday alluded to the Father Lenin Vargas being indicted on 10 counts of federal wire fraud, but also called for the resignation of Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
The Jackson Diocese and federal prosecutors reached an agreement after a criminal complaint was filed against the Diocese for its role in covering up Vargas’ fraudulent fundraising activities during his time as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Starkville and the Corpus Christi Mission in Macon. Investigators allege Vargas lied to parishioners about having cancer in or
der to collect donations for nonexistent medical expenses.
As reported by the Starkville Daily News Thursday, court documents construct a pattern of providing misinformation by church leadership to parishioners. As part of the agreement, the Diocese has implemented numerous changes to its fundraising practices and methods of handling fraud.
“This case is yet another example of why we rarely trust the information put out about church officials in regard to cases of clergy abuse,” SNAP said in a statement. “For decades, church officials have repeatedly proven they care most about their reputations and their wallets and will lie willingly to the public in order to protect those two things, often at the expense of children and the vulnerable. The information released in this case by the Department of Homeland Security that demonstrates that Bishop Kopacz ‘repeatedly lied’ to parishioners is just the latest proof. “
SNAP was quick to differentiate allegations against Vargas and the Diocese as related to sex crime cases, but reiterated the findings presented in the 24-page affidavit filed in federal court Wednesday demonstrates how church officials in Jackson allowed Vargas to take advantage of vulnerable people in his parish, convincing them to donate to fundraisers for a fraudulent cancer diagnosis and nonexistent orphanage in Mexic
The organization is vocally critical of Kopacz, also.
SNAP claims had he not been shielded by the title of Bishop, he “would be in handcuffs instead of hiding comfortably behind a deferred prosecution agreement.”
While the group concedes Kopacz will not likely face criminal prosecution, it did demand he resign as a way to reckon with the anger of parishioners.
“The facts are clear: for years, Bishop Kopacz allowed his parishioners to be defrauded rather than confront a known wrongdoer within the diocesan ranks,” SNAP said in a statement. “This does not inspire confidence that Bishop Kopacz will deal with any problem properly, and makes us especially concerned for children in the Diocese of Jackson. In a time when courageous leadership was needed, Bishop Kopacz instead chose complicity. For that, he should no longer be considered a bishop by anyone.”