Catholic Church delivering on longstanding promises about clerical abuse

KANSAS CITY (MO)
The Kansas City Star

July 6, 2018

By Mary Sanchez

To even casual observers of recent news about the Catholic Church, it’s clear that a new day has dawned.

Finally, after decades of stalling, denials and civil lawsuits, Catholic dioceses seem to recognize their accountability for the criminal behavior of pedophile priests.

Consider the case of retired Bishop Joseph Hart. The former prelate of Cheyenne, Wyo., now 86 years old, could face criminal charges under what the current bishop of Cheyenne has deemed credible and substantiated accusations of sexual abuse.

News of the case traveled ahead of the headlines to Kansas City, where Hart was ordained in 1956. Many believe that is where he first groomed young boys for sexual abuse in the parishes where he served until 1976.

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