Bradley may have done things in Baltimore and at Gonzaga High School in Washington.
Here's a related story from the Philidelphia Inquirer
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RELIGION, n.
A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.
Ambrose Bierce, Devil’s Dictionary
5 comments:
I was a brand new convert when I met Fr Cornell Bradleyat St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone, NC.His hugs even then seemed improper to me. He didn't want to let go. A dear woman in my confirmation group called one night sobbing that she had just had sex with Bradley and she was devastated. Shortly after being confirmed i left the church and returned about 5 years ago.
Anonymous, I know EXACTLY what you mean about his hugs. Honestly, I guess I didn't pay a ton of attention to him and was shocked when I heard of the allegations against him. But I do always remember feeling slightly uncomfortable with his stares and his hugs seemed inappropriately long. I remember him seeming to be happy when one night I tearfully confided that my college bf had just broken up with me. I pray for his victims, and thank God I was not one.
I was a student at Gonzaga College High School when Cornell Bradley succeeded a different, unrelated Fr. Bradley as Prefect of Discipline in September 1970. Though I was unaware of these sexual transgressions, it comes as little surprise, offering one explanation--self-loathing--for the everyday cruelties he inflicted in his dealings with students. There were some great priests teaching there then, but there were just as many others whose rageaholic outbursts sent many a boy to the E.R. It was such behavior that drove many of us away from the church long before we had even graduated. I hope C.B. and his all his ilk get exactly the justice they so richly deserve.
I was a freshman at Gonzaga when H. Cornell Bradley came as the new Dean of Students. He was a very sick and creepy man, and everyone stayed away. There was a very good Jesuit community there, and some really fine men. But they all knew what Bradley was up to.
In the spring of my freshman year, I was just a kid and still naive about the city. Anyway some kids from 'Sursum Corda' roughed me up a little, and took my watch and money. I reported it to the office and Bradley put me in his yellow Volkswagen and drove me around the area (Sursum Corda) asking me if I could point out the kids. I was really shaken. I didn't really want to be there. Anyway, I thought he was trying to be sympathetic to what had happened, when he reached over and began to feel me up. I froze, and was disgusted, didn't know what to do.
I told my folks I wanted to change schools, and they thought it was about the watch and the neighborhood, but I couldn't tell them about this sick priest.
Needless to say, I didn't break any rules, because I never wanted to be sent to his office. Most of the teachers wouldn't give you a detention or anything, because they didn't want any of the boys to be near him.
A year or so later, I was called to his office, and he accused me of something (I was so naive, I didn't even know what he was talking about). I hadn't done anything, but now I know that he was delusional and sick. I was disgusted, and it brought back the bad day in the yellow Volkswagen. So sad.
From what I know now, I wish I had reported him. But I was too young, and he was a terrorist.
I spoke with the Rector once (Father Petrik)? Not about specifics. But he just nodded. Bradley didn't live in the community, and so I don't think he was his superior anyway.
I never spoke about H. Cornell Bradley again, but it is good to see he has been removed and punished, and perhaps I should contact the Jesuits. There were so many good ones, it is sad to speak about the bad apple.
I remember him too as I attended Gonzaga in that era also. I never heard of him actually abusing anyone though I dont doubt the reports about him. I do remember the Saturday morning detention sessionswhen he would tell the good looking guys to go take showers at the gym. Then he would go down and look at them. As CREEPY as it gets! The Jesuits were so useless for not dealing with him when everyone knew.
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