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  Priest Abuse Victims Speak out

WTNH
December 3, 2009

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/priest-abuse-victim-speaks-out

BRIDGEPORT--Bridgeport (WTNH) - There are calls for further investigation into alleged sex abuse at the hands of priests in the Bridgeport Diocese. Abuse victims spoke out Thursday.

They came to this courthouse calling on prosecutors to examine church documents they believe show the Bridgeport Diocese covered up allegations of sex abuse by priests.

"We believe the problem in Bridgeport is much greater than the diocese is conceding," said Anne Doyle of Bishopaccountability.org .

Stephen Kali of Bridgeport said he never told anyone how a priest abused him in the mid-1960's until he saw Thursday's demonstration.

"I had guilt, pain and anger; my life took a hell of a turn," Kali said.

Kali's story isn't among them but on Tuesday the diocese turned over thousands of records connected to sex abuse lawsuits.

The documents detail stories from alleged victims and how suspect priests were moved from parish to parish when allegations surfaced.

The Bridgeport diocese declined comment but did say it has a system to handle allegations of abuse from reporting it to authorities to a full-tme victim's assistance coordinator.

These victim advocacy groups claim the diocese held back nearly 2,000 pages and a law enforcement eye needs to look it over.

"We need our civil authorities to step in, unearth the full scope of the problem. We need him to go through every page here and see if there is a prosecutorial crime," Doyle said.

News Channel 8 went into the courthouse and the state's attorney gave a statement saying he will review the recently released documents. It's unclear if a review will result in any action but Kali said he feels relief in admitting what happened to him.

"Just to say it, get if off my chest, to say it. Ya know what I mean?" said Kali.

 
 

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