Speaking up about Sexual Abuse in Catholic Churches

By Jillian Marshall
WBNG
October 24, 2013

http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Speaking-up-about-sexual-abuse-in-Catholic-churches-229034441.html

[with video]

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests and bishops have been making headlines for decades. A former priest speaks out against child abuse in Catholic churches at a church in Binghamton.

Father Thomas Doyle was invited to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Binghamton to speak about the "unfinished business" of clergy sex abuse in the Catholic church.

Doyle was a priest in the Dominican Order for 49 years. He is no longer allowed to be an active priest in the institutionalized Catholic Church. Doyle believes it's because he's been standing with sexual abuse victims of the church for the past 30 years.

"I've spoken out too loudly and too often for the comfort level for the leadership of the Catholic church," Doyle said.

Doyle was invited by Fr. Tim Taugher, St. Francis of Assisi Church pastor and a leader of Upstate NY Call to Action.

Doyle, who is also a canon lawyer and addiction therapist, stood in front of dozens of people.

He said children that are sexually abused in the Catholic Church are lead to believe that it is what God wants.

"Sometimes all the victims need to be told is I believe what you're saying, it's all true, you were abused," Doyle said. "It's not a myth and you're not wrong for speaking out."

Doyle said he will always speak out against abuse of children and young adults in the church. He said the response of the Catholic church to victims has been shameful.

"If it helps one victim somewhere then it's all worth wild," Doyle said.

This was only the third time Doyle was allowed to speak in a Catholic Church.

The event was a part of Upstate New York Call to Action's Speakers Along the Thruway tour.