Father Benedict Groeschel. Credit: EWTN.
Irondale, Ala., (CNA).-
Franciscan friar Father Benedict Groeschel has stepped down as host of
EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime television show following his apology for
making comments about the sexual abuse of minors.
“Father Benedict has led a life of tremendous compassion and service to
others and his spiritual insights have been a great gift to the EWTN
family for many years. We are profoundly grateful to him and assure him
of our prayers,” Michael P. Warsaw, president and CEO of EWTN Global
Catholic Network, said Sept. 3.
“At the same time, we ask our EWTN family to pray for all those who
have been affected by this painful situation and in particular those who
have been victims of sexual abuse.”
Fr. Groeschel decided to step down from the program after consulting
with EWTN and with his religious community, the Franciscan Friars of the
Renewal, Warsaw said.
In a National Catholic Register interview published Aug. 27, Fr.
Groeschel suggested that a minor is “the seducer” in “a lot” of sexual
abuse cases. He said he was inclined to think that abusers on their
first offense should not go to jail “because their intention was not
committing a crime.”
Fr. Groeschel apologized for the remarks last week, saying he did not
intend to “blame the victim.” He affirmed that a priest or anyone else
who abuses a minor is “always always wrong” and “always responsible.”
“I deeply regret any harm I have caused to anyone,” the priest said,
adding that his mind and his way of expressing himself are “not as clear
as they used to be.”
Warsaw said the comments at the EWTN-owned National Catholic Register
“should never have been published” and “in no way” reflect the views of
the Register or EWTN.
“It should have been obvious to the editor that Father Benedict's
physical condition and mental clarity have deteriorated and that the
comments were completely inconsistent with his life's work and witness,”
the EWTN president said. “We apologize that these remarks were
published and ask for forgiveness for this error.”
EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime program will continue with other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal serving as hosts.
