Archdiocese of Boston announces completion of St. John Seminary review

The Archdiocese of Boston announced Friday, Nov. 22, the completion of the independent inquiry into St. John Seminary following allegations published on social media last year by two former seminarians. The allegations included claims that the seminary tolerated illicit sexual behavior and excessive alcohol consumption on the part of seminarians and faculty. 

The inquiry found no evidence of criminal behavior or any sexual activity between seminarians and faculty members. 

Msgr. James P. Moroney, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester, had served as rector of the seminary for six years. In August 2018 Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., and Msgr. Moroney mutually agreed that the rector would begin a sabbatical in order to assure complete transparency for the process of a review of the concerning matters at the seminary. At the end of his sabbatical, Msgr. Moroney returned to the service of the Worcester diocese and was named interim rector of St. Paul Cathedral, effective Jan. 1. In a press release announcing Msgr. Moroney’s appointment, the Cardinal noted, that he had fulfilled his responsibilities very well as rector of the seminary. In April, Bishop McManus appointed Msgr. Moroney the new cathedral rector. 

The seminary inquiry began in October 2018 and was conducted by former U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern, with the assistance of Attorney Doug Salvesen and others at the firm Yurko, Salvesen & Remz. The process was extensive, including more than 80 interviews of current or former seminarians, faculty members, staff and Trustees. 

The inquiry concluded that “the Seminary had inadequate (and sometimes absent) leadership and oversight. This contributed to a lack of robust financial controls, a low tolerance for dissenting views, and insufficient attention paid to the seminarians’ human formation.” In addition it discovered only isolated incidents of sexual conduct and alcohol use that are inappropriate in a seminary setting.

Cardinal O'Malley received the findings and recommendations from Mr. Stern and has reviewed the report with Rev. Stephen Salocks, Interim Rector of St. John’s Seminary and the Seminary Board of Trustees. Cardinal O’Malley was encouraged that Father Salocks and his leadership team had already implemented several of the nine recommendations made by Mr. Stern and his colleagues, including those involving the introduction of spending controls and alcohol use. Going forward the Seminary leadership will promptly address the remaining recommendations. Cardinal O’Malley, chair of the seminary board of trustees, has expressed his agreement with the recommendations for more substantive engagement of the talents, skills and judgement of the board. 

Commenting on the results of the inquiry, Cardinal O’Malley said “I am grateful for the thoughtful and comprehensive efforts of Mr. Stern and his team, their candor throughout the process and time given by all who participated in the interviews. I am especially grateful to St. John’s Seminary’s leadership, faculty, staff and students who have remained diligent and focused on academic life and priestly formation during the inquiry.” 

He continued, “The inquiry has presented issues that require remedial action and oversight for ongoing compliance. I am confident that the facts brought forth by this report and the actions being taken to address those issues unite us in the commitment to ensure that St. John’s Seminary maintains a standard of excellence for the formation of men discerning the vocation of a life of service to the Church. With the help of God and vigilant attention to best practices, we will continue to provide superior seminary formation.” 

“Unfortunately, what the report cannot communicate are all the good things that are taking place at St. John’s,” Cardinal O’Malley said Friday evening on his blog, cardinalseansblog.org. “There is a very high level of satisfaction among the students who are glad to be doing their formation at the seminary. This year, the archdiocese ordained 14 fine priests, the largest class in 20 years,” he wrote.

“Even the criticism leveled against certain priests on the faculty cannot gainsay the fact that those same men have made many positive contributions to St. John’s and the life of the Church. They are faith-filled priests who have dedicated their lives to the Church, and they are beloved by the parishioners they serve and by many in the seminary community,” he also wrote.

Cardinal O’Malley will share the recommendations for St. John’s Seminary with the Archdiocese’s two other seminaries and advise the boards of those seminaries to carefully consider each recommendation in order to enhance their existing best practices. Additionally, he reiterated his commitment to proceed with reviews of the Archdiocese’s two other remaining seminaries. 

The Cardinal also announced his intention to consult with the Board of Trustees with regard to appointing Interim Rector Father Salocks as the permanent rector and Associate Vice Rector Father Thomas MacDonald as vice rector for St. John’s Seminary. 

Msgr Moroney said, “I am glad that the investigation is over and that no criminal behavior was identified at St. John’s Seminary. While I may take issue with the many opinions which are expressed in this report, I remain grateful for the opportunity to have made significant improvements in the Seminary, including enrollment, facilities, staffing and fundraising, many of which were noted in the report and I wish Father Salocks success in his continued leadership of the Seminary.”

– A copy of the full 90-page report and recommendations from Yurko, Salvesen & Renz can be found here.

PHOTO: Catholic News Service
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston gives the homily as U.S. bishops from the New England States concelebrate Mass in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 7. (CNS photo | Paul Haring)