Don't miss two important extras at the bottom of this update!

But first... As we approach 2,500 signatures (thank you!), I'd like to ask you a question...

In how many different ways do you find the following "apology" appalling?

Kathy,

The attached communication was sent to the Wheaton College Community this afternoon. The College also understands how you and your girls were harmed by the lack of transparency regarding the reasons for Dennis' departure, and if you are interested in receiving an apology (written or in-person), I can arrange for that.

I wish you the best,

Jade

I'll go first.

(And by the way, for context, a lawyer sent the above email to Kathy (Massaro) Gallagher in 2024 after Wheaton College concluded its "independent investigation" into the events surrounding Dennis Massaro's dismissal.)

Here's what I found appalling:

• Wheaton College didn't send it—a lawyer did.
• The offense itself was repeated in the act of offering an apology.
• Wheaton College clearly didn't want anyone to know what it had done.
• The timing of the email benefited the college—not the victim.

Let's review, line by line, how so much offensive material could be jammed into such a short note.

The attached communication was sent to the Wheaton College Community this afternoon.

Takeaway? Wheaton sent its communication first. Jade emailed Kathy next. (To see why that matters, keep reading.)

The College also understands how you and your girls were harmed by the lack of transparency regarding the reasons for Dennis' departure...

Takeaway? Wheaton College knew it had harmed not just Kathy, but also her little girls. When an institution wounds vulnerable children, common sense suggests that a report arising from an investigation into that matter would make note of it. No. First of all, there was no report. And secondly, the attachment included with the email mentions neither Kathy nor her children. Take a moment to imagine how Kathy felt while reading the attachment, knowing that it had just been sent and couldn't (or more to the point, wouldn't) be amended.

...if you are interested in receiving an apology (written or in-person), I can arrange for that.

Takeaway? The failure to mention Kathy in Wheaton College's emailed communication was intentional. This nearly concurrent backdoor offer—proxied to Kathy through a lawyer, no less—makes that much clear.

To summarize, Wheaton College knew what it had done, recognized that an apology was in order, but chose not to disclose any of this to the community in a communication that purported to address this very topic.

Does any of this sound familiar? That's why I say that the offense itself was repeated in the act of offering an apology. In yet another effort to preserve its own reputation, Wheaton College tried to keep its mistreatment of Kathy (Massaro) Gallagher and her children under wraps—at the expense of the victims. Wheaton College did it in 1998. Then they did it again just two years ago while offering an apology for what they had done in 1998.

I think it's disgusting. Please email Dale Wong at dale.wong@wheaton.edu to let him know if you agree.

I'll sign off here with the two extras I promised earlier.

The first is a Roys Report segment that includes a Hollywood producer's response to the Wheaton College communication. What I've written here is strongly worded, but only CGI could have made his response more explosive. (The whole segment is worth watching, but if you're short on time, his response is at the 21:00 mark.)

The second is a comment from an alumnus that is well worth reading:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When Wheaton College had Dennis Massaro sign a non-disclosure agreement that said “We’ll give you this money as long as you never say anything about your sin” it was playing the part of the devil. The most heinous of sins can be forgiven when openly confessed. King David confessed to adultery and murder and was forgiven. David Berkowitz confessed to multiple murders and is now our brother in Christ. Jeffrey Dahmer confessed to cannibalism (among other things) and received grace from the throne of God.

In telling Dennis Massaro “Don’t confess your sin,” Wheaton College slammed the door on the only avenue of grace open to him. No one in whom the Word of God dwells richly ever says to a sinner, “Don’t confess. Here’s some money.”

The actions of Wheaton College administration mirrored those of the elders and chief priests when they paid guards at Jesus’ tomb to suppress the Resurrection. Matthew 28:14-15: “‘If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.”

Dennis Massaro took the money and did as he was instructed. And Wheaton administration proceeded to “keep him out of trouble.” For shame. Public disgrace and prison would have served Massaro better. And it would have shut down a multitude of sins and an avalanche of woe in the decades that followed.

Paul Lundquist, BA, Bible and Religion, Wheaton College, ’84