Parishioners React to Sex Abuse Claims of Area Priests

By Carlet Cleare
WHAM13
June 6, 2018

http://13wham.com/news/local/parishioners-react-to-sex-abuse-claims-of-area-priests

The Roman Catholic Church has been dealing with claims of abuse by priests for decades. A dozen dioceses have filed for bankruptcy in order to settle victims' claims.

On Wednesday, the attorney at the forefront of the largest investigation into the cover-up of abuse among priests in Boston, along with an anti-sexual abuse advocacy group, publicly named eight priests accused of sexual abuse.

“It’s really tragic," said Carole Leary. "My heart breaks for these situations, because even in scripture it says if you hurt one of my little ones, it’s better to have a millstone around their neck and thrown into the sea.”

“As long as they were truly affected," Kathleen Wyand said. "Some people have claims that there’s no substance to. So it should be investigated and settled.”

Clergy sexual abuse cases have caused several Catholic dioceses across the nation to file for bankruptcy, after paying out millions in settlements.

Leary said there are many good priests who deserve respect.

“This has hurt the whole body of the church," she said. “I think there should have been a lot more discerning early on in the seminaries as to who is allowed to come in, in the first place."

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian and a representative of a anti-sexual abuse group Road to Recovery are calling on the Catholic Church to take ownership.

“I understand that a lot of people want married clergy; it’s part of the big problem," Wyand said. "I think eventually that’ll come to past. But right now, I think we should have understanding.”

Despite the accusations against the clergy Wyand and Leary say this hasn't rattled their faith.