In the 1960s, she collaborated with priests to assist Brooklyn housing project residents. Years later, she discovered the priests were involved in the abuse of young boys.
Sister Sally Butler, a nun and activist who exposed child sexual abuse in her parish, passed away on October 6 at the age of 93. She was a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville in New York. Sister Butler’s courageous actions shed light on a dark issue and helped bring justice to the victims.
In 1968, Sister Butler was part of an innovative project at the Church of St. Michael and St. Edward in Brooklyn, where she worked alongside priests to provide support to the community. She formed a close bond with a single mother, Ramona Cruz, and her son Carlos. When Ms. Cruz passed away in 1974, Sister Butler promised to care for Carlos, who moved into the rectory with the priests.
However, by the late 1970s, tensions arose within the parish. Sister Butler reported a priest, Father Brian Callahan, for alcohol abuse, leading to her dismissal along with another nun, Sister Georgianna Glose. The third nun, Sister Sheila Buhse, had already left due to conflicts with Father Callahan. Despite the challenges, Sister Butler and Sister Glose continued their social work and maintained ties to the church.
Sister Butler’s legacy lives on through her advocacy for victims of abuse and her dedication to social justice. Her story is a reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for those in need.
Source: The NY Times
