CHARLOTTE (NC)
WCNC TV
November 12, 2018
The Diocese of Charlotte is now expected to wait several more months before deciding whether to release the names of priests accused of past sex abuse.
The delay comes as Pope Francis intervened during a meeting of the most powerful Catholics in the country.
The nation’s Catholic bishops started a week-long conference today in Baltimore with plans of voting on two sex abuse response proposals, but at the urging of the pope, the bishops postponed those votes.
Diocese of Charlotte Communications Director David Hains said the impact will be felt here as the diocese considers whether to publish the names of accused priests.
“We’re waiting for input from the bishops as to the best way to go about this,” Hains said. “It’s a little disappointing. We had hoped to get that input this week and get to work making that decision.”
Pope Francis’ requested last-minute delay means the nation’s bishops will hold off on any decisions until he and the world’s bishops hold a special meeting to discuss clergy abuse in February.
“The American bishops will probably meet in March to act on whatever is decided at the February meeting,” Hains said. “We will be using input from the March meeting on our decision on posting the list…So, it looks like it is going to take a bit longer but I have no doubt that the end result will be a policy that complements the steps we have already put in place to protect children.”
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