The right move: Ogdensburg releases names of priests removed from ministry

Watertown Daily Times
November 19, 2018

https://bit.ly/2qTEkJR

Earlier this year, the Minnesota-based law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates released the names of priests associated with the Roman Catholic dioceses of Ogdensburg and Syracuse who were accused of sexual abuse.

Bishop Terry R. LaValley, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg, approved the release of the names of priests removed from the ministry following accusations of sexual abuse.

Many parishioners objected to a previous decision by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg to not release the names of priests accused of sexual abuse, and officials have received their message.

On its website last week, the diocese listed the names of 28 priests removed from the ministry. This followed an announcement the previous weekend by Bishop Terry R. LaValley pledging to do so.

“I am writing to address an important matter: the release of the names of priests removed from ministry according to the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” Bishop LaValley wrote in a letter read Nov. 11 during Masses throughout parishes in the diocese. “In the past, we have declined to publicize the names of these individuals for many reasons, including due process questions. While there are strong arguments for releasing the names and strong arguments for not releasing the names, recent controversies in the church make it necessary for us to now release the names.

“The recent controversies and scandals have produced righteous anger, discouragement and frustration among the people of God. Increasingly, the faithful have called for the release of the names of those removed from ministry under the charter. I know the release of names will cause pain for those on the list, their families, former parishioners and friends. There will be a need for compassion and understanding among all of us. While our main concern is the safety of our young people and helping victims find healing and peace, we must also strive to uphold the dignity of those removed from ministry. Mercy and reconciliation are central to our mission as the church of Jesus Christ.”

Releasing these names was a good step on the part of the diocese. It shows that officials are beginning to recognize the anger and frustration felt by many members of the church.

People around the world have demanded answers over how authorities could permit incidents of sexual abuse to go on for so long. They want to know what is being done about all those who moved predator priests from parish to parish.

In 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops implemented the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. According to the group’s website, the program mandates procedures to minimize the likelihood of abuse, respond more effectively to allegations, cooperate with civil authorities and discipline offenders. It was revised in 2005, 2011 and again this year.

Revealing which priests have been removed from the ministry was a productive and vital measure on the part of the Ogdensburg diocese, but officials need to do more. They must drop their opposition to proposed legislation to extend the statute of limitations for prosecutors and victims to seek justice against offenders.

According to the statute of limitations in New York, people abused when they were younger than age 18 may pursue criminal or civil actions until they turn 23. The Child Victims Act would raise the criminal statute of limitations to age 28 and the civil statute of limitations to age 50. It also would grant older victims a window of one year to file civil claims.

But church authorities have helped block passage of this bill. It’s time for them to encourage this sensible proposal to become law.

Members of the Ogdensburg diocese who have demanded action from their leaders, however, have scored a victory. They should continue to voice their concerns to bring about even more necessary changes.