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  Victim Advocates Want More Transparency

By Keith Kountz
WTNH
March 29, 2011

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/victim-advocates-want-more-transparency

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - Advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse say more information should be revealed about accusations made against clergy members.

The groups say the Bridgeport Archdiocese and Bishop William Lori need to be more forthcoming about former church employees who have been publicly accused of wrongdoing.

"If you look at the diocesan website you don't find names of accused priests at all, but you do find their press releases in which they discredit a victim from a year ago," said Anne Barrett Doyle, BishopAccountability.org.

They point to three cases; one involving a former priest, a second a one-time nun and a third involving a former church groundskeeper who worked at a church in Trumbull.

Davis Clohessy of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) says all three were publicly accused of sexual molestation, although neither were prosecuted in criminally.

The accused either left the church voluntarily, were suspended by the church or faced action in civil court. The church has an entirely different take on things, saying Bishop Lori has been upfront about allegations against priests and other church workers.

"I think it misrepresents what the bishop has done, his legacy in terms of dealing with sexual abuse issue is unparalleled . what he did in this diocese has become a model for what the rest of the country has done," said Brian Wallace, Bridgeport Diocese Spokesman.

Those on the other side of the argument say the Bishop's lack of transparency and what they call his 'continued secrecy' on the issue is troubling.

"Each of these three credibly accused catholic employees have spend time in this diocese and molested children and we believe they're still walking free and dangerous," Clohessy noted.

The advocates say transparency on the issue is so critical because parish members need to be aware if someone with a dangerous background shows up at their church.

 
 

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