More than 80 clergy members named in sexual abuse report

By Lynzi Deluccia
WRGB
May 21, 2019

https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/more-than-80-clergy-members-named-in-sexual-abuse-report

A trio of sexual abuse survivors took a stand on Tuesday as lawyers released a report with the names of more than 80 Albany Diocese clergy members accused of sexual abuse.

One woman her story about how she was raped and exploited by a man who was a teacher and a counselor at Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons High School in the 70s. One thing she and the other victims had in common was the feeling that they were alone in their experiences.

"Many of us were told when we were being abused that we were the only one,” Mark Lyman said.

This isn’t the first time Lyman has spoken out about the abuse he says he suffered as a child growing up at his church in Troy.

"My reason for being here is to protect children and to make sure that what happened to me as a child doesn't happen to another child here in New York State,” Lyman said.

Lyman pointed out his abuser, Father Frank Genevive, is no longer alive. Genevive pleaded guilty to rape and assault in 2008 - his name, on the long list presented Tuesday.

"You have to have the start of accountability and transparency," said attorney Cynthia LaFave.

Eighty-three names, mostly accompanied by photos, of Albany Catholic Diocese clergyman dating back to the 1940s.

"If you were affected by these men Kenny anybody anywhere in this region, I encourage you to come forward."

Many of the accused, now dead, but others still out there.

"And we don't know where they are, and that is one of the biggest concerns."

In response to Tuesday's revelations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany put out a statement calling the Bishop a national leader for bringing justice to victims, saying in part "Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany are committed to justice for those who have been sexually abused by priests and others in whom they put their trust."

The diocese says there are inaccuracies on the list, and, "Our first concern is for the survivors, and we stand ready to accompany them, support them, and assist them."

Those who spoke Tuesday say they want to hold an institution accountable.

"This is not anti-catholic, this is anti-crime."

This is the response from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany:

“We want to say first and foremost to the survivors who spoke today that we are inspired by their courage in coming forward and grateful for their willingness to bring light to situations that may have been in darkness for too long. Any time we hear survivors recount the horrors of sexual abuse, our hearts ache for them and their families, for childhoods stolen and for futures torn apart.

‘Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany are committed to justice for those who have been sexually abused by priests and others in whom they put their trust.

‘From the Independent Mediation Assistance Program launched in 2004, to the pro-active release of a list of clergy offenders in November 2015, to the recent establishment of a task force whose job is to support survivors and seek restorative justice on their behalf, the Bishop and the Diocese continue to strive to put survivors first and to emphasize transparency.

‘Our first concern is for the survivors, and we stand ready to accompany them, support them, and assist them.

‘Any claim received by the Diocese of Albany is immediately forwarded to the appropriate District Attorney and subsequently sent to the Diocesan Review Board for independent investigation. The Diocese of Albany urges all victims to report any instance of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, its employees, or volunteers, to civil authorities and to contact the diocesan Assistance Coordinator at (518) 453-6646 or assistance.coordinator@rcda.org.”

Out of the 83 names released, CBS6 is only listing the individuals who have been convicted of a crime, charged for a crime or have been named in a lawsuit.

• Fr David G. Bentley
• Fr. John Patrick Bertolucci
• Fr. Donald Bolton
• Br. Fidelis (Francis) DeBerardinis
• Fr. Louis E. Douglas
• Fr. John H. Duggan (admission)
• Fr. Raymond J. Ethier
• Fr. John J. Gallagher
• Deacon Angel Garcia
• Fr. Frank M. Genevive
• Fr. Mark Haight
• Fr. William J. Heim
• Fr. James E. Kelly
• Fr. Edward N. Leroux
• Fr. Daniel J. Mahar
• Fr. Richard (Philip) Mataconis (Matikonas)
• Fr. Peter McCormick (admission)
• Fr. James J. McDevitt
• Fr. Neil P. McLaughlin
• Fr. John B. Mea
• Fr. Gary J. Mercure
• Fr. Michael J. (F.) Miller
• Fr. Jeremiah Nunan
• Fr. Donald J. Ophals
• Br. George Puello
• Fr. Joseph R. Romano
• Fr. Michael P. Santillo
• Msgr. William M. Slavin
• Fr. Donald Starks
• Fr. James (Michael) Taylor
• Fr. Dozia J. Wilson