The Catholic Standard and Times
Lou Baldwin, Staff Writer
Among the presentations given to the priests at their May 22 meeting was an explanation of the role of the Promoter of Justice, a term perhaps unfamiliar to most people.
The Promoter of Justice deals with canonical trials, explained Father Michael J. Fitzgerald, director of the archdiocesan Office for Legal Services.
For example, if a priest were accused of child abuse and there were proceedings to involuntarily remove him from the priesthood, in addition to any civil proceedings against him, he might also be subject to a canonical trial.
If there were such a trial, “the Promoter of Justice is an individual appointed by the bishop to promote the common good of the Church,” Father Fitzgerald explained.
The accused priest would also be represented by his own canonical advocate, to assure his rights of due process.
The Promoter of Justice, in some respects, is similar to a civil prosecutor but Canon law regarding trials is similar to most European law -- it is not adversarial.
The Promoter of Justice presents the case before the judges of the tribunal, giving due process rights to everybody.
Also, while the Promoter of Justice is not a member of the Archdiocesan Review Board, he sits in as an observer at any deliberations of a case to which he has been assigned.
He would not participate in the deliberations or have a vote, but would be available to answer questions concerning canon law that members of the board present to him.
Cardinal Bevilacqua has appointed three priests to serve as Promoters of Justice, in these cases: Father Fitzgerald, Father Gerard C. Mesure and Father James M. Oliver.
5 June 2003