An independent report of allegations against then Bishop Christopher Weldon has been released by retired Judge Peter Velis. The report came about after new allegations of sexual misconduct by the late Bishop who served as Bishop for nearly 30 years in the diocese.
Judge Velis was asked by Bishop Mitchel Rozanski to conduct a review after allegations against Weldon, dating back to the 1960’s were made. Bishop Rozanski called for the probe into what were called at the time “credible” allegations by a person who came forward to appear before a special commission.
The Diocese has said that the Judge had access to whatever he needed to complete the investigation.
In his report the Judge called the system of reporting “flawed”. The Judge said that from the start of his investigation, the complaints that were filed were evaluated differently. He said that there were different analysis and interpretations into the complaints that were presented. Judge Velis writes, “there was a reluctance to fervently pursue an evaluation of allegations against him (Weldon) due to his prominence and revered legacy in the religious community.”
The Judge also concluded ”from the inception of the complaint through the follow up process, the procedure was greatly flawed.”
In perhaps the most conclusive part of the report is the Judge’s “haunting consciousness of Bishop Weldon’s inability to refute complainant’s allegations against him. I conducted the investigation that was in the light most favorable to him. However, notwithstanding, I still reached an informed and indisputable conclusion. I found the allegations of the complainant concerning the late Bishop Christopher J Weldon to be unequivocally credible.”
The report calls for change within the system. Some have already been implemented including the naming of a conveyor to oversee and correct the system.
Bishop Weldon is said to have been one of the most influential people in the Catholic Church at the time. He oversaw the building of Cathedral High School, which is now called Pope Francis Prep. He also oversaw the construction of at least ten new churches.
Bishop Weldon resigned in October of 1977. He died a short time later at the then Mercy Hospital, now Mercy Medical Center at the age of 76.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak/WHYN News)