The University community has continued to deal with the repercussions of the allegations against Doug Perlitz ‘92, who was charged with sexually abusing children attending his Haitian school. The scandal came to light two weeks ago and since then the University has been under some scrutiny. Not only is Perlitz a Fairfield alum and the 2002 commencement speaker, but the University has also helped to raise funds for his organization in the past years.
In a statement to the entire University community last week, University President Father Jeffrey von Arx said, “If the allegations against Doug Perlitz are true … then it will be a tragic outcome for the affected group of children in Haiti and the irreparable harm caused them, as well as for the members of the University community who donated their time and support to this cause.”
“As a University, it is important that we take appropriate steps to respond to the situation,” von Arx continued in the statement.
One of the steps the University has taken thus far has been addressing the issue during masses this past Sunday. At the opening of his most recent homily, during the 9 p.m. mass geared towards students, Fr. James Bowler began by saying, “I have two homilies for you tonight. A longer one which I will give now, and a shorter one later.” The shorter homily Bowler was referring to was an expression of his reaction to the issue that appeared on the front page of The Mirror last week. Bowler expressed his anger and sadness over the situation, and alluded to the hurtful affects the various priest scandals in Boston has had on the Catholic Church. Bowler urged students to take the issue seriously and to know that the University most certainly is as well.
Fr. Gerald Blaszczak, the University chaplain, invited members of the congregation to gather after the morning mass for prayer and mutual support. He said about 55 or 60 people attended.
Rama Sudhakar, the vice president of marketing and communications, said, “In the near future, a campus forum will be organized to reflect on the University’s mission and core principles related to helping and serving the poor.”
However, the University that once supported Perlitz has found itself wondering about certain issues in the two weeks after the indictment. Among the many questions expected to come up in litigation is how exactly the donated money was used.
The University plans to seek outside council to conduct an internal review of campus support and Mass collections. Sudhakar confirmed that “the University has retained outside counsel from Day Pitney LLP.”
Von Arx stated that the institution has no oversight on the two organizations that directly supported Perlitz: the Haiti Fund and Project Pierre Toussaint.
Many University and Fairfield community members are on the board of the Haiti Fund. Because the situation is currently under a grand jury investigation, Sudhakar could not comment on whether any University members were subpeoned.
In efforts started by Rev. Paul Carrier, a former director of campus ministry, over $2 million was collected at masses and sent to a bank account in Haiti controlled by Perlitz.
Carrier would continue to visit Perlitz, as he was his main contact to the University’s benefactors. It remains unclear if Carrier knew at any point the circumstances to the situation.
Perlitz was able to file his funds under 501c3 tax-exempt status, which usually avoids audits. This would in fact make it easier for Perlitz to hide his expenses on alcohol and drugs.
When asked if the Perlitz scandal would have an impact on the University’s charitable efforts in the future, Sudhakar responded, “We would hope not.”
“We will continue to dedicate ourselves to the mission to develop our students’ intellectual potential and prepare them to contribute to the common good, “she continued.
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My reaction to statements made by Fairfield University officials:1) University President Father Jeffrey von Arx said, “If the allegations against Doug Perlitz are true … then it will be a tragic outcome for the affected group of children in Haiti and the irreparable harm caused them…”REPLY – By using the word “affected,” is Father von Arx referring to the children who were raped and sodomized by Perlitz or the children who were forced back into the streets because the street clinic and boarding school closed? It is already a tragic outcome, Father von Arx.2) “As a University, it is important that we take appropriate steps to respond to the situation,” von Arx continued in the statement.REPLY – President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., Rev. Thomas Regan, S.J. (the Provincial of the New England Society of Jesus, and the Order of Malta scattered like drowning rats when it became evident more than a year ago that there were credible allegations of child sex abuse against Perlitz. Instead of offering their ongoing public support for the Haiti Fund Board’s decision to remove a credibly accused child molester from the Project, Father von Arx and others sat on the sidelines as the remaining Board members struggled to keep the ship afloat. If President von Arx is serious about helping, he must lead a campaign to immediately raise $1 million to help the Project reopen and get back on its feet. 3) At the opening of his homily, Fr. James Bowler expressed his anger and sadness over the situation, and alluded to the hurtful affects the various priest scandals in Boston has had on the Catholic Church. REPLY – I can barely restrain my outrage regarding Bowler’s comments about the harm inflicted upon the Catholic Church by the “various priest scandals.” What about the harms and injuries, Father Bowler, that have been inflicted upon tens of thousands of innocent child abuse victims by the criminal actions of priests, religious and church workers? What about the cover up of these crimes by bishops and other Church leaders? Millions of Catholics have inflicted additional insult upon these hurting victims by their failure to stand up and demand redress for the crimes committed against children. What have you and the University community done, Father Bowler, to assure that bishops tell the truth, stop employing hardball legal tactics against victims, tell the truth and provide justice to those who were abused? You can start by demanding that Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport stop spending millions of dollars (what about the poor?) in legal fees in his efforts to keep secret the files of abuser priests (Philip Allen Lacavora, Esq. represents the Diocese of Bridgeport in its efforts to keep secret the files. Interestingly, Lacovara is one of the signers of the letter defending Doug Perlitz against allegations of child sex abuse).4) Rama Sudhakar, the vice president of marketing and communications, said, “In the near future, a campus forum will be organized to reflect on the University’s mission and core principles related to helping and serving the poor.”REPLY – Catholic Church and Catholic School officials have a pathetic history of orchestrating symbolic events to demonstrate their concern for the abused. Thanks, but, no thanks. What’s needed is immediate and direct action. The Project has closed. Kids are hungry, need shelter and are once again roaming the unsafe streets of Cap Haitian, Haiti. Let’s work together to get the Project up and running now. President von Arx is hereby nominated as the Chairman of a campaign to immediately raise $1 million to help the Haiti Project reopen and get back on its feet. The service of our faith must include the promotion of justice.5) Many University and Fairfield County community members are (were?) on the board of the Haiti Fund. Because the situation is currently under a grand jury investigation, Sudhakar could not comment on whether any University members were subpoenaed. REPLY – Sudaker is being less than forthcoming. She can most certainly tell us which University employees have been subpoenaed. It has already been reported that Deborah Picarazzi, Campus Ministry Operations Assistant, has been subpoenaed. 6) Carrier would continue to visit Perlitz, as he was his main contact to the University’s benefactors. It remains unclear if Carrier knew at any point the circumstances to the situation.REPLY – With the exception of the United States Attorney, Carrier’s whereabouts are unknown. President von Arx and New England Jesuit officials are refusing to answer any questions about Carrier. Why???? When Perlitz was fired in August 2008, twelve individuals (including Carrier and disgruntled former Haiti Fund board members) wrote a three page letter to donors in which they disparaged both the investigation and the firing of Perlitz. In a not so subtle way, the signers of the letter called the victims liars, “We cannot judge our Haitian friends, but we will in good conscience allow their poverty, and the depth of their struggle to destroy Doug Perlitz.” Somehow it escaped the signers of the letter that these things could be true (poor and want money) and Perlitz still could have abused the kids
Paul Kendrick
Freeport, Maine
Fairfield University ‘72
kendrickpt@aol.com
Somehow it seems to escape you that in this country, people are innocent until proven guilty my friend. You seem convinced that the allegations are true.
“With the exception of the United States Attorney, Carrier’s whereabouts are unknown. President von Arx and New England Jesuit officials are refusing to answer any questions about Carrier. Why????”
To save you the trouble of being issued with another restraining order maybe.