BishopAccountability.org

Many flaws with releasing priests’ names accused of sex abuse, but we need to prevent any future victims

The Daily News
March 26, 2018

https://bit.ly/2uqRLp6

The release by the Diocese of Buffalo of the names of priests accused of sexually assaulting children stirs strong and mixed feelings – anger, outrage, sorrow, horror.

Even if you accept that priests are human beings with flaws, it is difficult to accept that such evil flaws were allowed to flourish in the echoing silence of the Catholic Church. The lessons to be learned here are many, and they apply to everyone, not just Catholic authorities – Protestants have had similar problems.

It should be noted, first, that an accusation is not a conviction. Perhaps that is the saddest part of this whole situation — that these reports were handled internally, and the courts were not allowed to sort out the truth.

Now, because there are so many accusations, mixed in with confessions and a few convictions, there is a tendency to view all the accusations as true. In some cases, the accused priests are dead – they do not have an opportunity to defend themselves, and unfortunately, the victims do not have the opportunity to seek justice.

After sexual assault allegations were detailed in a Buffalo News article, the Docese became subject to increasing pressure to release the names of all of its priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors.  So far, a total of 53 priests with ties to the Buffalo Diocese are included on a list of priests accused of sexual assault. Among them are seven with ties to Wyoming and Genesee counties: Father Donald Becker, Father Fred D. Ingalls, Father Gerald Jasinski, Father Robert Biesinger, Father Bernard M. Mach, Father Loville N. Martlock and Father Norbert Orsolits. Two have died after being placed on leave; two were removed from parishes and have since retired; one, whose whereabouts are unknown, was placed on leave and served three years in a federal prison; another whose whereabouts are unknown was charged but the records sealed and he was placed on leave; and one, who recently admitted abusing numerous boys, was still a priest, though he was not permitted to perform Mass or other duties.

As the Catholic church sought to keep its “dirty laundry” hidden, priests accused of sexual abuse were often moved to other parishes, some after being sent for treatment.

A map produced by Jeff Anderson & Associates law firm shows locations where 13 accused priests served in Western New York – there are far more than 13 dots on the map. Thus the church’s handling of accusations did nothing but spread the potential for harm. The result is that youngsters who were too afraid to speak out have grown up, living with nightmares for decades.

The 161 parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo serve a Catholic population of 690,000 in the eight counties of Western New York. According to the Diocese web site, nearly 400 priests currently reside in the Diocese, and 266 of those are active. The listed incidents of sexual abuse date back as far as 1950. In the nearly 70 years since then, thousands of priests must have served parishes in the Buffalo Diocese. If 53 were guilty of sexual abuse, that is 53 too many, but it is also a small percentage among the many good priests whose vocation has been tarred by the evil actions of the minority.

It is good that Buffalo Diocese Bishop Richard Malone is seeking transparency at last and encouraging victims to come forward, with the church offering help with healing.

Nothing can make up for terrible impact of sexual abuse by someone who betrays a sacred trust. The effort should be diligently made, however. People young and old need assurance that it is OK to speak out, and that they will be heard.

And we all need assurance past victims will receive justice and the practices that allowed this evil to grow will be changed so there are no future victims. he release by the Diocese of Buffalo of the names of priests accused of sexually assaulting children stirs strong and mixed feelings – anger, outrage, sorrow, horror.

Even if you accept that priests are human beings with flaws, it is difficult to accept that such evil flaws were allowed to flourish in the echoing silence of the Catholic Church. The lessons to be learned here are many, and they apply to everyone, not just Catholic authorities – Protestants have had similar problems.

It should be noted, first, that an accusation is not a conviction. Perhaps that is the saddest part of this whole situation — that these reports were handled internally, and the courts were not allowed to sort out the truth.

Now, because there are so many accusations, mixed in with confessions and a few convictions, there is a tendency to view all the accusations as true. In some cases, the accused priests are dead – they do not have an opportunity to defend themselves, and unfortunately, the victims do not have the opportunity to seek justice.

After sexual assault allegations were detailed in a Buffalo News article, the Docese became subject to increasing pressure to release the names of all of its priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors.  So far, a total of 53 priests with ties to the Buffalo Diocese are included on a list of priests accused of sexual assault. Among them are seven with ties to Wyoming and Genesee counties: Father Donald Becker, Father Fred D. Ingalls, Father Gerald Jasinski, Father Robert Biesinger, Father Bernard M. Mach, Father Loville N. Martlock and Father Norbert Orsolits. Two have died after being placed on leave; two were removed from parishes and have since retired; one, whose whereabouts are unknown, was placed on leave and served three years in a federal prison; another whose whereabouts are unknown was charged but the records sealed and he was placed on leave; and one, who recently admitted abusing numerous boys, was still a priest, though he was not permitted to perform Mass or other duties.

As the Catholic church sought to keep its “dirty laundry” hidden, priests accused of sexual abuse were often moved to other parishes, some after being sent for treatment.

A map produced by Jeff Anderson & Associates law firm shows locations where 13 accused priests served in Western New York – there are far more than 13 dots on the map. Thus the church’s handling of accusations did nothing but spread the potential for harm. The result is that youngsters who were too afraid to speak out have grown up, living with nightmares for decades.

The 161 parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo serve a Catholic population of 690,000 in the eight counties of Western New York. According to the Diocese web site, nearly 400 priests currently reside in the Diocese, and 266 of those are active. The listed incidents of sexual abuse date back as far as 1950. In the nearly 70 years since then, thousands of priests must have served parishes in the Buffalo Diocese. If 53 were guilty of sexual abuse, that is 53 too many, but it is also a small percentage among the many good priests whose vocation has been tarred by the evil actions of the minority.

It is good that Buffalo Diocese Bishop Richard Malone is seeking transparency at last and encouraging victims to come forward, with the church offering help with healing.

Nothing can make up for terrible impact of sexual abuse by someone who betrays a sacred trust. The effort should be diligently made, however. People young and old need assurance that it is OK to speak out, and that they will be heard.

And we all need assurance past victims will receive justice and the practices that allowed this evil to grow will be changed so there are no future victims.




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