Survivors React to Former Bishop's Testimony of Secret Files, Shuffling of Accused Priests

By Jane Flasch
WHAM
July 7, 2020

https://13wham.com/news/local/survivors-react-to-former-bishops-testimony-of-secret-files-shuffling-of-accused-priests

For 32 years, Matthew Clark led the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

The former bishop now admits publicly that the diocese kept secret archives and priests accused of sexual abuse were allowed to continue to serve, sometimes moving from parish to parish.

The statements are contained in a three-hour deposition given in March as part of bankruptcy proceedings. The legal transcript was released to the public Monday.

"I just want to see the truth come out," said Carol Dupre, who has filed a sexual abuse lawsuit.

She says she was just a teenager when she was first molested by her parish priest back in 1962. During his deposition Bishop Clark said he didn't recall allegations about Rev. Stuart Hogan or some of the other 50 priests he was asked about.

In other cases, his memory was clear.

For example, he said Rev. Eugene Emo was sent away for treatment, then reassigned to a Livingston County parish - but with no restrictions on access to children.

Clark also spoke about "secret archives" - locked cabinets containing files on priests who had been accused or sent away for treatment. He said over his three decades in Rochester, just seven people had access to that information.

"He seemed to have lots of names and a lot of facts that he was familiar with," said Dupre. "I appreciated that he was saying 'Yes, this did happen, yes we had problems with this and sent them away for treatment,'" she said.

The Rochester diocese has acknowledged sexual assaults occurred, but has not told assault victims what they also want to hear.

"I just wish they would 'fess up and say, 'We saw this, we ignored it, we were wrong,'" said Dupre.

Diocesan officials rejected requests for Clark's testimony. In a written statement, they say because of his diagnosis with early Alzheimer's disease, his testimony cannot be taken as reliable.

Sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the diocese, have been folded together and are now part of the bankruptcy proceeding.

Dupre is on the panel representing the victims. She says Clark's testimony is a validation for survivors in a long and often painful journey.

The statement from the diocese is a reminder that this is not over. "Once again, they're using a diversionary tactic," said Dupre. "I wish they would put their head down and say, 'He was right, we screwed up, and what can we do to help you?'" she said.

The full statement from the diocese reads: