It is appropriate that The Courant’s editorial board calls for investigations into abusive conduct by Connecticut Catholic priests [Feb. 3, Opinion, “Connecticut must investigate the crimes committed within the Catholic Church”].

The stunning scope of predatory behavior has been revealed repeatedly, yet the response from the church is often a call for prayer, special masses and appeals for public forgiveness. These responses pale in comparison to the psychological and emotional damage imposed upon abuse victims.

Why should the obligation to determine the truth fall to victims of priest abuse? Where are the civic entities on whom we should rely for redress of such moral and legal grievances?

Whenever any clergy in a role of authority receives a claim of improper conduct, there should be one inviolable rule: Call the local police, report the claim, and place the search for truth into the hands of those whose mission is to serve and protect our citizens.

The cost to church parishioners cannot compare to the price paid by victims whose lives are torn apart. Even after a tortuous effort to stitch themselves together, evidence of their wounds often remains. If we are decent and honorable, if we seek and respect justice, we cannot tolerate this heinous form of shattered trust any longer.