Bishop Paprocki Responds to Sexual Abuse Allegations

By Nikki McGee
WICS/WRSP
March 28, 2019

https://newschannel20.com/news/local/bishop-paprocki-responds-to-sexual-abuse-allegations

The bishop of the Diocese of Springfield is now speaking out for the first time after a report accused 23 clergymen of sexual abuse.

The report was released last week and included the names and histories of hundreds of clergy accused of sexual abuse within the Catholic church.

"We've chosen to reveal this information because the Catholic bishops and the religious orders who are in charge and have this information and hold it secret have chosen to conceal it," Author Jeff Anderson said.

The Diocese of Springfield calls the report "highly misleading" and "irresponsible" and said the information is not new, as those on the list have already been publicly accused.

Since the report was released, the diocese was only releasing statements, until Thursday.

NewsChannel 20's Nikki McGee sat down with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, of the Diocese of Springfield, to address recent allegations of sexual abuse by priests.

Reporter: "What is it like, as a bishop, as a leader in the church, when this scandal came to light and you heard about this?"

Paprocki: "It's very challenging. I know it was challenging for me personally and I'm sure it's challenging for many of our faithful. They put their trust in their pastors and their priests. They put their trust in the church and to have that trust broken can be very challenging."

Paprocki said while these reports are unfortunate, they don't reflect the progress the church has made.

"Mr. Anderson's press conference and frankly, even in the preliminary report that the attorney general released in November, giving the impression as if nothing's changed in the church. You know, that historic problems that we've had from 30, 40, even 50 years ago, that these are still the same issues facing the church," Paprocki said.

He said children are safer now than ever before.

"I think our Catholic schools are some of the safest places in our country right now," Paprocki said.

He said they'll never stop working to make sure they stay safe.

"We can never say for sure that somebody's never going to commit a sin again - that's just part of human nature. But, we can do everything that we can to try to prevent that," Paprocki said.

The bishop said new safety practices are in place nowadays for priests, teachers and coaches, like not being alone with minors. They also undergo training to spot signs of abuse.

"We're not suggesting that they're perpetrators, but to be eyes and ears to look out for things. There are tell-tale activities or behaviors that people can look out for to say, 'Wait a minute, this isn't right,'" Paprocki said.

Paprocki said the diocese has several new safe-guards in place, including a new website and a review board.