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  Stockton Bishop Loses Vote for Post
Blaire Was up for Spot on Children's Panel

By Rick Brewer
Stockton Record
November 14, 2007

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/A_NEWS/711140321

STOCKTON - According to a Chicago-based advocacy organization for people sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests, the Rev. Stephen Blaire, bishop of the Stockton Diocese, was defeated in an election for chairmanship of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People on Tuesday during the semiannual U.S. Conference of Bishops meetings in Baltimore.

The Rev. Blaise J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D., was elected to the post by the nationwide body of Catholic bishops.


The Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, declared its opposition to Blaire's candidacy to head the committee charged with developing policies and procedures that respond to allegations of clerical sexual abuse of minors.

Blaire, a former chairman of the conference's ecumenical and interfaith dialogue committee, has served on the protection of children and youth committee for several years.

SNAP member Nancy Sloan, 42, of Fairfield said the group's opposition to Blaire came as a result of his efforts to overturn an amnesty period that was granted to victims of sexual abuse by priests, among other reasons.

Sloan said Blaire failed to report abuse allegations against former priest Oscar Pelaez in a timely manner.

"You would think he would follow things to the letter," said Sloan, who said she was abused by defrocked priest Oliver O'Grady while a youngster.

Diocese spokeswoman Sister Terry Davis said Blaire's nomination came as a result of his long association with the committee and previous chairmanship.

Blaire has instituted policies in the Stockton Diocese that line up with the conference of bishops and go into effect when allegations of sexual abuse by a priest arise, Davis said. They include administrative removal of the accused priest during an investigatory period and turning over all information to local law enforcement.

Davis said each annual review of the diocese's efforts have found them to be in compliance with all conference regulations.

Members of SNAP, including Sloan, have picketed the diocese's administrative offices in downtown Stockton on occasion to protest Blaire's handling of certain sex abuse cases, notably that involving Pelaez.

Also Tuesday, Archbishop Francis George of Chicago was elected president of the conference of bishops.

Contact reporter Rick Brewer at (209) 546-8294 or rbrewer@recordnet.com.

 
 

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