WHEELING (WV)
The Intelligencer
December 1, 2018
Thursday’s release of a list of predator priests who served in West Virginia is only a beginning for the Roman Catholic Church, in many ways.
One of them is that the shocking, disturbing revelations in the list may — and should — make the list longer. Church officials say that was one of their goals in making the information public.
There are reasons to believe they are right in expecting their action Thursday will result in more accusations against priests. One entry on the list itself reinforces that feeling.
Officials of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said earlier this fall that they were compiling a list of priests against whom credible accusations of abusing minors had been lodged. The diocese includes all of West Virginia.
One of the credible allegations of abuse was reported to the diocese on Oct. 26 — two days after the church made public its intention to compile and release a list. It is entirely possible — likely, in fact — that the accuser’s report was prompted by the church’s announcement.
Now that the list has been released, more victims may decide it is time to come forward.
Let us hope so, even though the initial list is appalling enough.
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