SYRACUSE (NY)
The Post-Standard/syracuse.com
February 20, 2018
Kevin Braney, Ph.D., formerly of Manlius, now lives in Denver, Colorado.
By Kevin Braney
I recently reviewed the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Commission procedures posted on the website for the Syracuse Catholic Diocese. I myself, as a survivor of priest sexual abuse, received a letter Feb. 17 that states I “may” qualify to submit a claim.
I commend Bishop Robert Cunningham for opening a path forward, as imperfect as it is, to aid survivors’ healing. The commission will serve as a valuable tool to provide much needed relief for some.
Based upon my initial review, it appears this commission will not be part of my path forward. I will press onward in hopes the New York Child Victims Act passes. My analysis of the commission’s protocols leads me to the below questions and concerns:
First, why do the protocols require me to relitigate my claim against Charles Eckermann? The Vatican already defrocked Eckermann. It took from September 2013 until April 2014, countless phone calls, meetings with investigators, written statements, oral statements, to ensure Eckermann no longer had access to children in his priestly role. Why is the previous investigation now insufficient?
The continued assertion that all priests who have raped children have been removed is false. Until all pedophile priests are in jail, children are at risk. Here are just two examples:
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