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  Bish Center Director Named
Engdahl Heads Anna Maria Unit

By Kathleen A. Shaw
Telegram & Gazette [Worcester MA]
June 28, 2005

WORCESTER— Patricia O'Leary Engdahl, who has directed the Office of Healing and Prevention of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester since its inception in 2002, is leaving that position to become director of the Molly Bish Center for the Protection of Children and Elderly at Anna Maria College.

Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the diocese, said yesterday Ms. Engdahl is leaving the job with the diocese but he had no information on who will replace her. Her appointment at Anna Maria, a Catholic college in Paxton, takes effect July 18.

Ms. Engdahl, a lawyer and former assistant district attorney in the office of John J. Conte, was hired by the diocese when the office was created in June 2002, about the time the American bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Working with Frances Nugent, a licensed social worker, the office was involved in giving assistance to victims claiming clergy sexual abuse and in administering the programs aimed at rooting out clergy, church workers and volunteers who might pose a threat to young people. Her office was involved in doing criminal records checks of everyone working or volunteering in the diocese.

"We're delighted to have her," said Shelley Finn, Anna Maria spokeswoman. Ms. Engdahl replaces Sarla Chand, who left to take another job.

William D. McGarry, Anna Maria president, said the center was formed more than a year ago with the help and encouragement of John and Magdalen Bish, parents of Molly A. Bish. Ms. Bish, 16, was abducted from her lifeguard job in Warren five years ago and slain. Her killer has not been found. Mr. McGarry approached the Bishes and asked them to support such a center, he said. They not only supported the effort but became active participants. "They are wonderful people," he said.

The center's role is primarily educating people who serve "the most vulnerable people in our society, the young and the elderly," Mr. McGarry said.

Educational efforts are aimed at teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, emergency workers and others who work with or serve young people and elders, he said. The center has sponsored symposia on issues related to protecting children and elders and has sponsored programs where people discuss issues from their own perspectives.

In time, Mr. McGarry said he expects the center will have a major database on protection issues. The center has been particularly concerned about how young people can be endangered through encounters on the Internet. Older people are particularly vulnerable to attempts by unscrupulous people to steal their money, he said.

Ms. Engdahl, a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Suffolk University Law School, previously was special assistant to the executive director of the Henry Lee Willis Center of Worcester, an agency that works with poor families and youths. She also worked for the Worcester Housing Authority.