Draft:Society of St. John

The Society of St. John (SSJ) was a clerical association of priests founded in 1998 in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Its original mission was to promote the traditional Latin liturgy, with a focus on fostering a community grounded in medieval Catholic values. The Society was envisioned as a center for a "Catholic city," combining religious, cultural, and academic activities within a small-town setting in rural Pennsylvania. The founding members included Fathers Carlos Urrutigoity, Eric Ensey, Dominic O’Connor, Marshall Roberts, and Daniel Fullerton, among others who were inspired by traditionalist Catholic teachings. .

Founding and Purpose

The Society of St. John was created as an association of priests dedicated to the promotion of the Tridentine Mass, Catholic tradition, and a vision of Catholic life that hearkened back to medieval Christendom. The Society’s founders had backgrounds with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), a group that upheld the use of the Latin Mass and often found itself in theological tension with the modernized practices of the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council. The Diocese of Scranton’s then-bishop, James Timlin, initially welcomed the Society, providing canonical recognition and a 1,000-acre property for establishing the community near Shohola, Pennsylvania .

The founders of the SSJ sought to build an intentional Catholic community centered around liturgical life and classical Catholic education. Plans included constructing a chapel, living quarters for priests, and educational facilities. The Society was intended to attract traditionalist Catholics looking for a rural, faith-centered life under the spiritual guidance of clergy committed to older Catholic practices and values ncregister.com.

Allegations of Misconduct and Scandal

Not long after the Society’s founding, serious allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Fathers Carlos Urrutigoity and Eric Ensey, who played prominent roles in the SSJ, were accused of sexually abusing minors who had been in their pastoral care. These allegations led to lawsuits from victims and their families, bringing significant attention to the Society and the Diocese of Scranton. In 2002, an investigation by a local law firm hired by the Diocese reportedly substantiated the abuse claims, leading to the removal of the priests from active ministry and the beginning of multiple civil lawsuits .

The abuse scandal became widely known, especially as it coincided with the larger sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church that emerged in the early 2000s. The Diocese of Scranton settled several cases, ultimately paying substantial amounts to victims, which compounded the Society’s growing financial issues .

Financial Mismanagement and Suppression

In addition to the abuse scandal, the Society of St. John faced significant financial mismanagement. With ambitious building plans for their envisioned “Catholic city,” the SSJ incurred heavy debts, leading to financial instability. Funds initially allocated for charitable and educational purposes were allegedly redirected towards the Society’s development plans, prompting scrutiny from both church authorities and donors. Mismanagement claims included a lack of transparency and misuse of diocesan support for their land and buildings .

By 2004, these combined issues led Bishop Joseph Martino, who succeeded Bishop Timlin, to formally suppress the Society of St. John. Bishop Martino cited the Society’s unsustainable debt, failure to adhere to canonical norms, and the scandals related to abuse as grounds for its dissolution. The Diocese of Scranton rescinded the Society’s canonical status, and the priests were prohibited from further ministerial duties within the diocese .

Attempts to Reestablish in Paraguay

Following the dissolution in Pennsylvania, members of the Society of St. John attempted to relocate and establish a new community in the Diocese of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. Father Urrutigoity and other members were permitted by the local bishop, Rogelio Livieres Plano, to minister in the area despite concerns from the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. This move faced backlash from victims’ advocacy groups and the broader Church due to Urrutigoity’s history of allegations. The Society’s activities continued to attract controversy, and in 2014, Pope Francis removed Bishop Livieres Plano, partly due to his support of controversial clergy, including Urrutigoity

Legacy and Controversy

The Society of St. John remains a subject of controversy within Catholic circles. Its ambitions to establish a medieval-inspired Catholic community have largely been overshadowed by its failures due to clerical abuse and financial impropriety. The Society’s history has served as a cautionary tale regarding the need for transparency and accountability within Catholic institutions, particularly concerning traditionalist groups that sometimes operate at the fringes of diocesan oversight.

Today, the Society of St. John is defunct, with former members disbanded or attempting ministry in various capacities, though often with significant public scrutiny. The Diocese of Scranton has taken steps to address the harm caused and to enforce stricter oversight of religious organizations within its jurisdiction.