As the Diocese of Oakland faces ongoing scrutiny for the continuing ministry of a priest accused of child sexual abuse, community members in Orinda have taken to the streets in protest. Father George Mockel, the current pastor of Santa Maria Parish, has been accused of committing acts of sexual abuse in the mid-1970s against a former teenage altar server according to NBC Bay Area.
However, as reported in a separate NBC Bay Area article, Bishop Michael Barber has maintained support for Fr. Mockel following an internal investigation conducted by a former federal prosecutor. The investigation revealed that the allegations against Mockel "were not credible."
Despite the findings of the internal investigation, community members, abuse survivors, and advocates have raised concerns about the transparency of the Church. Members from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) have expressed disappointment with the lack of notification to parishioners about the allegations and the absence of a suspension for Fr. Mockel as reported by BishopAccountability.org. They request Bishop Barber to reveal the reason for not suspending Fr. Mockel and explain the inadequate adherence to the Dallas Charter guidelines in the case.
In his defense, Fr. Mockel has firmly denied the allegations, stating that he has "never abused anyone in any way at any time" and expressing distress over the damage to his name and reputation.
The lawsuit against Fr. Mockel is one of over 350 that has led the Diocese of Oakland into bankruptcy. These legal proceedings are a consequence of California's 2019 Child Victims Act, which has temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in civil court from 2020 to 2022.
The legal arguments have extended to the issue of confidentiality for accused priests during bankruptcy proceedings. Lawyers representing the Diocese have argued that these priests should be granted confidentiality to protect them from unwanted attention and potential harassment.
Despite these claims, plaintiffs' attorneys have argued that it is necessary to maintain transparency to encourage potential victims to come forward and seek justice. According to attorney Sandra Ribera Speed, many victims are yet to come to terms with their abuse, and she urges the Church to "practice what you preach" and do what is right for them.
By conducting protests and advocating for transparency, the Orinda community is voicing their concerns about the Church's handling of these accusations. Advocates, victims, and their supporters urge the Church to review its policies and practices relating to accused priests and to prioritize the safety and well-being of the children within their communities.
