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	Bishop Zubik Disputes Accusations of Destroying Records WTAE December 22, 2010 http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/allegheny/26243632/detail.html [with video] Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik is denying allegations made by an abuse survivors group that claims he was involved in destroying records concerning priests in Green Bay, Wis. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also knows as SNAP, has called for a federal investigation, claiming Zubik ordered the destruction of records detailing sex abuse by priests when he worked in Green Bay. “I was stunned because my own leadership in the church has been to try to build up the credibility of the church, and I know that I would never destroy evidence that would go against the protection of people who have been abused or people alleged to have been abused,” said Zubik. On Wednesday, Zubik spoke to Channel 4 Action News and defended himself against the accusations that he destroyed files and denied any kind of wrongdoing. "There was never any destruction of files, any cover-up. The charges listed against me by SNAP are outrageous," Zubik said. Zubik spoke live on Channel 4 Action News at noon. He told Channel 4 Action News' Shannon Perrine that on hearing news of the allegations, he was shocked. "In every fiber of my being as a leader, I work to make sure that justice is always done and there will be no obstruction of justice. And to suggest otherwise is really an insult against my credibility," Zubik said. SNAP is accusing Zubki of destroying records detailing sex abuse by priests in Green Bay while he served as bishop there from 2003 to 2007. "Since 2007, documentation records, psychological reports, assessments, investigations, correspondences with the Holy See concerning an unknown number of clergy from this diocese that have sexually assaulted children,” said Peter Isely, of SNAP. On Tuesday, the group called for a federal investigation for possible obstruction of justice in connection with the allegations. SNAP leaders claim that a top Green Bay church official talked in a court deposition about a standing order issued by Zubik in 2007 to destroy secret files about pedophile clergy The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay released a statement on Tuesday which said in part, "The Diocese of Green Bay has reported every credible allegation of sexual abuse against a minor by a member of the clergy to the appropriate District Attorney of the county in which the alleged incident occurred. The Diocese cooperated completely with law enforcement authorities in every one of those cases." "After civil litigation was commenced against the Diocese in January, 2008, at no time were documents pertinent to the lawsuit disposed of," the statement said. The diocese also said that in order to be in compliance with the Federal Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, they don't retain psychological reports on priests, deacons, and employees in personnel files. Zubik told Perrine the lawsuit seems to be stemming from confusion about HIPPA laws. He also said that when he served in Green Bay, he worked to keep records from being destroyed. "The retention policy said that a year after a priest died, those documents could be destroyed if there wasn't any litigation against the person. Actually to tell you the truth, that wasn't in the policy, but I wanted to make sure that it was placed in the policy in 2007 to make sure that records were not going to be destroyed. So, exactly what I'm being accused of, we actually did the exact opposite," Zubik said. The diocese said that since 2006, it has enacted a record retention policy that applies to "all documents created or received by all departments within the Diocese" to ensure they are properly reviewed. Zubik said he has not been approached in connection with any federal investigation. He said he has been in contact with his successor in Green Bay and other members of the diocese about the case and will cooperate fully with any investigation. “I'll look anybody in the eye and say that everything in my ministry in the past, as well as to date, and in the future, is one of making sure the people of the Catholic Church are protected,” said Zubik.
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