McCarrick’s abuse victim goes public, tells US bishops it’s time for ‘actions’

James Grein speaking in public for the first time at the 'Silence Stops Now' rally on November 13, 2018. 

BALTIMORE, Maryland, November 13, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – “Jesus’s law is much higher than pontifical secrets…it’s not Francis’s Church, it’s Jesus Christ’s Church,” James Grein, the man who ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick abused for 18 years, told the “Silence Stops Now” rally today.

Identifying himself publicly for the first time, James told the audience, “I have to admit, right now my whole body is shaking, so please bear with me.” He’d previously only identified himself by his first name in media interviews.

“That [New York Times] article would never have been written had it not been for a 16-year-old altar boy” who credibly accused McCarrick of abusing him, James said. He encouraged everyone to read that article, where he first shared the story of McCarrick’s sexual abuse of him, which began at age 11.

McCarrick’s “ghost will forever haunt Jesus’s Church,” he said.

James revealed the Church’s acknowledgement of the credible accusation against McCarrick and the prelate’s subsequent sentence to a life of “prayer and penance” – now being carried out in Kansas near an elementary school – inspired him to come forward.

“My time has come,” said James. “It has taken too long for victims to come forward.”

“We need actions which will guarantee this problem will be addressed and addressed fairly,” he demanded. “It’s time for the Church to speak. There’s too much silence. But the silence will no longer trick us into forgetting or ignoring the scandal.”

“Our bishops must know that the jig is up.”

“I am here today because of the grace of God,” James concluded. He said he will continue to expose evil in the Church “for the rest of my life.”

The “Silence Stops Now” rally is taking place outside the hotel where the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is conducting its fall meeting. Just before the meeting began, the Vatican instructed the USCCB not to vote on two sex abuse reform measures.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò issued a brief message to the U.S. Bishops today, urging them to confront sex abuse as “courageous shepherds” rather than “frightened sheep.”

"Do not be afraid of standing up and doing the right thing for the victims, for the faithful and for your own salvation. The Lord will render to every one of us according to our actions and omissions," he said.