Syracuse Bishop Takes Positive Step on Reporting Clergy Sex Abuse (editorial)

Syracuse.com
November 5, 2015

http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/11/syracuse_bishop_takes_positive_step_on_reporting_clergy_sex_abuse_editorial.html

Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Robert Cunningham, on left, listens as Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick talks at a news conference Oct. 28, 2015 in Binghamton, N.Y. On the right is Oswego County District Attorney Greg Oakes. The diocese reached an agreement with seven district attorneys in Central New York to immediately notify them if they suspect a priest or diocese official of sexually abusing a child.

Bishop Robert Cunningham took an important step toward reconciling with his flock last week when he agreed to immediately report allegations of sexual abuse against priests or other religious workers to the civil authorities.

But the bishop can go farther by releasing the names of 11 priests in the diocese facing credible accusations of abuse.

First, the good news. Cunningham signed a "memorandum of understanding'' with the seven district attorneys who have jurisdiction in the sprawling Catholic diocese of Syracuse. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick was among them.

The agreement goes beyond the diocese's 2003 policy on dealing with sexual abuse of children, which was limited to "current cases involving a minor and any clergy member, employee, religious or volunteer.'' The new memorandum requires the diocese to report "regardless of the age of the allegation or whether or not the clergy member is active.'' Further, the diocese won't investigate allegations on its own before reporting them to the district attorney, and it will work with DAs to preserve evidence.

According to Fitzpatrick, the agreement "essentially makes the diocese of Syracuse a mandatory reporter for any potential sexual abuse.'' That may reassure parents who were wary of entrusting their children to the care of the church.

Cunningham explicitly apologized for saying in a court deposition that a victim of a pedophile priest was "culpable.'' He said a child is not responsible for being abused. The bishop also acknowledged the church had made mistakes in handling sexual abuse allegations -- an understatement.

The diocese's new policy certainly is an improvement on the old. But it is not perfect. Kevin Braney, a survivor of clergy sex abuse, reminds us that Cunningham continues to shield the names of 11 priests in the diocese who face credible allegations of child molesting. They don't deserve his protection.

Fitzpatrick went out of his way to say that no potential offender presents any danger to any child in Central New York. How can he or the bishop be sure when the diocese won't say who the 11 priests are, or where they live? Are we to take their word for it?

Braney, meanwhile, deserves credit for pressing Fitzpatrick to ask the diocese for more cooperation in prosecuting cases of clergy sexual abuse. Now that a formal agreement exists, the diocese and the DAs must live up to it, in letter and spirit.