A terrible tale of abuse and cover-up from Ireland.
The priest, please note, was not universally loved in his town or parish, but he was a whirlwind of activity:
He formed 34 church organizations, including women's groups and four levels of youth groups. He had the basement of his house renovated into a youth club, complete with pool table, soccer table and video machine. Another part was turned into a place of refuge for troubled boys.The Irish Sunday Press dubbed him "Father Goldfinger," and reported that he had managed to extract 4 million Irish pounds per year -- close to $6 million -- for projects ranging from a day-care center for the elderly to a nursery school and a 24-hour counseling service. The monthly parish newsletter was crammed with events.He also launched a community employment project using government funds. Locals say he had up to 30 unemployed people at a time on its rolls, sweeping streets, painting houses and operating a nightly bicycle patrol of the houses of the elderly. Each participant got 60 to 70 Irish pounds per week, and Fortune skimmed 5 to 10 pounds from each -- for "administrative expenses," he told them.