Mike O'Connell has been pastor of the Basilica of St Mary parish since July of 1991. He has created a safe and welcoming atmosphere there as is evidenced by the tremendous growth in that parish (1400 families in 1991 to 5400 currently) complete with a huge neighborhood Basilica Block Party held every summer which fosters great community building and evangelization. He is noted for his close relationship with the Jewish community, and for his commitment to justice (being pastor of Ascension parish, an inner city Hispanic parish, while at the same time pastoring the much larger Basilica).

Even though Fr Mike has done much good work in his current role as pastor of the Basilica, the heart of this nomination rests on his past role as Moderator of the Curia. That is a job he began in June of 1984. It was July of 1984 that the first case of a priest of this archdiocese abusing children hit the local papers. It was the beginning of a crash course in intervention, victim advocacy and education for Mike and many others in his position around the country. It was through his efforts that this archdiocese was one of the first to have a policy on education of all church leaders as well as clear steps for reporting any abuse. Had other dioceses moved as quickly and openly perhaps the abuse would have been mitigated much sooner than it was, and the Boston crisis itself, which ultimately birthed our own VOTF organization, could have been avoided.

This nomination of Fr Michael O'Connell is both symbolic and meaningful for all priests who had to refocus their ministry to deal with the burgeoning abuse crisis.