BishopAccountability.org
	Bishop Reacts to Report on Sexual Abuse WMTW [Portland ME] February 26, 2004 PORTLAND (AP) -- Bishop Joseph Gerry says the state's report on sexual abuse of children by priests and other clergy members was thorough and impartial. In a written response to the state's reports, Gerry says different decisions would have been made today based on what the church has learned. Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe this week released a report on sexual abuse of children by priests and other clergy members, and said that of dozens of cases reviewed, none can be prosecuted. The cases came from files from the Catholic Diocese of Portland spanning the last 75 years. Rowe says Maine's statute of limitations in effect at the time of the alleged offenses prevents the state from prosecuting. The report says five priests or clergy members have been prosecuted since 1984.