BishopAccountability.org
	'Betrayed Again by Church' Three Takes on Father Daniel McCormack's Punishment Chicago Sun-Times July 4, 2007 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/455414,CST-NWS-lightning04.article Readers react to comments by Archdiocese of Chicago spokeswoman Colleen Dolan on the Rev. Daniel McCormack's sexual abuse of children. McCormack pleaded guilty Monday. Dolan said the perception of his crimes was worse than the reality. Comments appalling The archdiocese's attempt to diminish the meaning of Daniel McCormack's crimes by differentiating them from "assault" (i.e. rape) is appalling. His victims and their parents are unlikely to be relieved knowing that they were just "abused," rather than raped. Rather they will know that they have been betrayed again [by] the church. Mary Gail Shame on spokeswoman I read with interest your article concerning Daniel McCormack's heinous deeds and his "punishment." I also read the archdiocese's spokeswoman, Colleen Dolan, telling the public that his crimes were not as horrible as they sound.... I wonder if she would think that was a minimal offense if it happened to her.... For shame! Gabrielle Church is insensitive Chicagoans should be outraged by the offensive comments ...by archdiocesan public relations staffer Colleen Dolan. Dolan should be ashamed of herself and should immediately and publicly apologize to Fr. McCormack's victims and all clergy child molestation victims. Her self-serving remarks are indicative of a pervasive archdiocesan insensitivity. David Clohessy, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests COMMENTS BY ARCHDIOCESAN SPOKESWOMAN COLLEEN DOLAN Archdiocesan spokeswoman Colleen Dolan said the public perception of the Rev. Daniel McCormack's sex crimes was worse than reality. "There's a misconception that this was a case of assault," Dolan said. "He has not been accused of rape. Never." "There's a big difference between abuse and assault," she said, adding that by assault, in this particular case, she meant rape. "He has been accused and admitted that he abused children," she said. "That's what the judge's decision was based on. It wasn't assault, which is a more egregious crime." "We're not making excuses for what he's done."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.