How nonprofit raised money for priests accused of sexual abuse

 Since its founding in 2002, Opus Bono Sacerdotii, a Michigan nonprofit with the goal of helping priests accused of sexual abuse, has solicited help and spread its message through direct mail, its website and social media. It was able to raise more than $8 million between 2002 and 2016.  

Opus Bono Shake-Up After Michigan AG’s Investigation

Co-founders ousted after charges of fraud and questionable bookkeeping

 A Michigan-based charity that provides financial, legal and other assistance to current and laicized Catholic clergy has emerged from a government-enforced reorganization. Opus Bono Sacerdotii, based in Dryden in Michigan's Lapeer County, underwent an intensive attorney general investigation in 2018 that concluded, among other things, the organization engaged in unauthorized and excessive compensation as well as deceptive marketing practices.

Under the terms of the settlement between Michigan's then-Attorney General Bill Schuette and Opus Bono, the organization terminated its two founding members, Michigan residents Joe Maher as president and Pete Ferrara as treasurer.

https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/questions-remain-in-catholic-charity-reorganization

A Michigan-based charity that provides financial, legal and other assistance to current and laicized Catholic clergy has emerged from a government-enforced reorganization. Opus Bono Sacerdotii, based in Dryden in Michigan's Lapeer County, underwent an intensive attorney general investigation in 2018 that concluded, among other things, the organization engaged in unauthorized and excessive compensation as well as deceptive marketing practices.

Under the terms of the settlement between Michigan's then-Attorney General Bill Schuette and Opus Bono, the organization terminated its two founding members, Michigan residents Joe Maher as president and Pete Ferrara as treasurer.

The January 2019 settlement also required Maher never again engage with a nonprofit entity in the state. The Detroit News reported: "Maher, one of the group's founders, will resign by March 31 and will not rejoin the group 'in any capacity,' nor can he ever form another charitable entity in Michigan."

2017 Income Total - $1,517,466

2016 Income Total - $1,349,838

Salaries

Joseph R. Maher  $173,734

Peter A. Ferrara $332,452

https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2017/030/448/2017-030448257-107c3d4f-9.pdf

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/03-0448257

Men of Melchizedek was formed in response to Catholic priests, bishops and Vatican officials who request urgent, confidential assistance in finding solutions to the proper care and treatment of priests in need or during times of crisis.  The purpose of MOM is to facilitate help for priests experiencing difficulties in their personal life and priestly ministry.

Total Bullshit Dialing For Dollars!

Advertising Complete Fake Office Operation!

Opus Bono Sacerdotii and the Real Work of the Catholic Church

"Opus Bono established itself as a counterpoint to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and other groups that have accused the church of trying to cover up the scandal and failing to support victims of clergy misconduct. Opus Bono focuses on what it considers the neglected victims: priests, and the church itself.”

The AP was able to interview one of the co-founders of the organization who is determined to defend priests at all costs.  He is quoted as stating, “All of these people that have made allegations are very well taken care of,” Opus Bono co-founder Joe Maher said in a radio interview, contending that many abuse accusations lodged against priests are false. “The priests are not at all very well taken care of.”

That’s simply not true.  Some of my abuse survivor clients have had their counseling cut off or not offered at all.  While accused priests can generally rely on a church salary even when they are removed from ministry, survivors have to fight tooth and nail for justice.  In the states where the statute of limitations bars them from seeking justice, their options are severely limited and the church can ignore them and often does just that."

https://losangeles.legalexaminer.com/legal/opus-bono-sacerdotii-and-the-real-work-of-the-catholic-church/

Michigan AG seeks to dissolve priest-assistance charity over lack of governance

 For nearly two decades, Opus Bono Sacerdotii has operated out of a series of unmarked buildings in rural Michigan, providing support to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse across the country. (July 29, 2019) 

  "On reviewing tax forms, the attorney general's office “found irregularities and lack of details that lent support to the complaint,” and differing lists of board members, which led to an investigation which lasted until at least May 2018.

The investigation found a lack of board governance, no controls over expenses, unauthorized and excessive compensation, diversion of assets, breach of fiduciary duties, and deceptive solicitation."

"This lack of governance allowed the “possible diversion and illicit use” of OSB's charitable assets by Maher and Ferrara, the attorney general wrote. “The pattern of OBS expenses, transfers, and withdrawals suggest regular personal benefit to Maher and Ferrara from OBS assets.”

  These low life priests were taking the assets for themselves.   The Vatican supported a group of grifters purporting to help pedophile priests.  

   https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/michigan-ag-seeks-to-dissolve-priest-assistance-charity-over-lack-of-governance-18036

Michigan Attorney General Inquiry 2/13/2020

  
Our organization is writing about the Vatican support for their clergy rapists based in your state. We have found the following quote, "Opus Bono Sacerdotii, based in Dryden in Michigan's Lapeer County, underwent an intensive attorney general investigation in 2018.
It seems these grifters were to be banned from operating a nonprofit organization in your community. We noticed the same low life priests raising funds under the name, Men of Melchizedek in Aeternum. In short, they are working at hiding, supporting, and celebrating the pedophile priests from the Catholic Church.
We are going to roast the Attorney General on our web site www.zorrow.org / Catholic Rapists Unionize. We are disgusted that they have been richly supported in their efforts to obstruct justice with Catholic Church money with your approval. Please confirm your complicity in this criminal enterprise.  

Dennis Horion