BishopAccountability.org

Editorial: Cardinal sins and omissions: Dolan’s honest exposure of the sexual abuse of children

Daily News
April 27, 2019

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-dolan-list-20190427-2tc2ue3mgfcznjvb5oysbuipci-story.html

Necessary step.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is seen signing of the Child Victims Act in the offices of the NY Daily News at 4 New York Plaza in New York, NY, USA on February 14, 2019.
Photo by Mark Woodward

Why did it have to be so difficult?

Cardinal Timothy Dolan struck a blow for transparency and accountability Friday by releasing a list of 120 priests who had served in the New York archdiocese and been credibly accused of sexual abuse. The list is the result of the archdiocese’s Independent Reconciliation & Compensation Program, administered by attorneys Ken Feinberg and Camille Biros.

Under the program, survivors shared their experiences with the church. If proven credible, a private settlement was created and survivors agreed to forego further legal action. None of the priests named are still in ministry. Many have since passed — as have their victims.

The sharing of the list brings a certain comfort to other survivors and family members.

Welcome as Dolan’s move is, it doesn’t change the fact that the New York Archdiocese was among the fiercest opponents of passage of the Child Victims Act and its “lookback window” — which opened up old cases and permitted civil action against offenders and organizations. Indeed, the Reconciliation and Compensation program was initiated three years ago when the archdiocese realized that its ability to keep the CVA at bay was losing power (Gov. Cuomo signed the CVA into law in the Daily News newsroom on Feb. 14).

We understand that Dolan was in a difficult position: He is a moral leader within his church, yet had a fiduciary responsibility to his archdiocese. We understand his concern that lawsuits could imperil church finances (even if that didn’t occur in other states).

It’s still sad that survivor agony had to be prolonged as long as it did. May this most reflective period in the Christian calendar bring peace to all survivors, whether they take the Reconciliation and Compensation route or are still considering their options under the CVA.




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