Memphis Catholic Activist Questions Name Release of Accused Priests

By Ron Maxey
Commercial Appeal
November 5, 2018

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/11/05/memphis-catholic-activist-questions-nashville-bishop-releasing-names/1893185002/

The director of a Memphis-based Catholic organization has sent an open letter to Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville questioning last week's name release of 13 former priests accused of sexually abusing minors.

Patrick Benedict, a layperson and director of the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization, raises various concerns in the letter dated Nov. 5. Among the points raised are the fact that some of the priests were not accused until after they died and therefore had no chance to respond and the omission of any background information about the accusers.

Bishop J. Mark Spalding

"I do hope," Benedict added, "you will respond to each of the questions raised in this letter."

Benedict, who says he lives within the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, said by email Monday afternoon that he had no comment beyond what was in his letter.

His organization is active in promoting pro-life causes, coordinating the annual One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies event and the annual Pro-Life Novena for Unborn Babies.

The Nashville diocese said last week when the names were published that Spalding did so in response to a Pennsylvania grand jury report that found allegations of clergy sex abuse and cover-up in six dioceses. Several of the priests named by Spalding spent time in the Memphis diocese.

But Benedict, in his seven-point letter to Spalding, asked:

Why the diocese didn't go to greater lengths to point out that just because the sexual abuse reports were "credible" doesn't necessarily mean they are true. "Because these accusations are referred to as 'credible,' many people will automatically conclude that each of these men is guilty," Benedict writes.

How many of the accused priests responded and, if they did, what were their responses.

Why Spalding didn't clearly specify those who were not accused until after their deaths.

Why no information was included on background checks of any of the accusers.

If each accuser was alone in accusing the priest in question or if others made accusations.

Whether any of the accusers were relying on "repressed memory" to recall their accusations.

Whether Spalding would do anything to "repair the damage" if it is found that some of those named were innocent.