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Alleged Abuse Victims Call for Nashville Diocese Investigation

By Harriet Wallace
WZTV
November 9, 2018

https://fox17.com/news/local/abuse-victims-call-for-nashville-diocese-investigation

Mike Coode is 79 years old. The trauma of what he says happened to him starting at age 12 still haunts him.

“After that I was pretty nuts. I did crazy things because I felt guilty, like I needed to be punished. It hurts so bad. As I said, I was devastated,” said Mike Coode.

Coode, who is no longer a practicing Catholic, went to Catholic school and church in Nashville and says a priest molested him for more than 10 years. He claims the Diocese protects guilty priests and continues to do so.

“All we’ve ever wanted was the truth, and they won’t give it to us,” said Coode.

What the Nashville Diocese is giving up are the names of 13 priests accused of molesting kids. Nine are dead, two are in prison and two are no longer acting priests. Diocese spokesman Rick Musacchio says the Diocese is being transparent and doing right by the victims.

“It’s painful, shameful and we apologize that ever happened. We can’t change the past but we can make sure it never happens again,” said Musacchio.

But, Brentwood Deacon Ron Deal says that’s not enough.

“Did you take that additional information and go to the authorities, because that’s what your own Diocesan safe environment policy says you’ll do. They’re not abiding by their own policies,” said Deal.

By law, those aware of abuse must report it. Musacchio says the church did. In fact, he says the Diocese reached out to the District Attorney Glenn Funk’s office.

Funk’s spokesman says the police department has not requested their office to step in.

Musacchio tells FOX 17 News the Diocese also contacted the U.S. Attorney Generals’ office. David Boling, a spokesman for that office said he cannot confirm or deny if they are investigating the Diocese. For now, victims of abuse say they won’t give up.

“The priests may be dead, but we’re not and we want our answers. The Catholic faith deserves answers,” said David Brown, head of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

 

 

 

 

 




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