BishopAccountability.org
	Church Sex Abuse Accusations Put Damper on St. Patrick's Day NECN March 17, 2010 http://www.necn.com/03/17/10/Church-sex-abuse-accusations-put-damper-/landing.html?blockID=199388&feedID=4215 [with video] Recent revelations about child sex abuse cases involving priests in Ireland are putting a damper on Saint Patrick's Day masses around New England. In Maine, a small band of protesters stood outside the cathedral in Portland, where Bishop Richard Malone was saying Mass. Protesters greeted parishioners as they headed to the noontime St. Patrick's Day mass at Portland's cathedral. "Everybody talks about a good St. Patty's day but there's a lot more serious stuff going on here." Harvey Paul, who was abused by a priest when he was an alter boy, called this a day of mourning for Ireland's children. "Thousands of children have been abused and today we want to stand in solidarity with those people" In addition to leafleting parishioners, the protesters calls on the leader of Maine' s catholic faithful--bishop Richard Malone--to observe a minute of silence and declare this a day of mourning and remembrance. From the pulpit the bishop addressed the latest sex abuse crisis right away. Bishop: "I want you to know that I offer this mass for all the victims of abuse in Ireland." He told parishioners he hoped that in repentance, the Irish church could rise again with courage and integrity but the bishops words and prayers may not be enough to satisfy abuse victims' advocates. "The protesters all want much more transparency here in Maine. They're calling on Bishop Malone to provide full disclosure on the diocese web site with information about every child sex abuse case in Maine involving priests and church workers Victim protester: "We're looking for action. Not just words. Put up the website do whatever you have to do to protect children For the faithful, the mass was a step in the right direction. Robin: "I'm just glad it's not being swept under the rug anymore. I think that offended a lot of Catholics. They say they add their prayers to the Bishops, hoping all the abuse victims can one day, find peace. The spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Portland, Sue Bernard, tells NECN that the church already does full disclosure by sending out press releases every time they learn about a new case of abuse within the church. They say putting the information on the diocese Web site is still under consideration.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.