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  One Year after Settlement, Church Abuse Issues Remain
Oversight of Cases Not in Place

TheWMURChannel.com [Concord NH]
December 5, 2003

CONCORD, N.H. -- A year after a precedent-setting church sexual abuse settlement in New Hampshire, some major issues still aren't settled.

Last December, the Diocese of Manchester avoided criminal charges by agreeing to let state officials oversee how they handle church abuse cases, but the oversight hasn't begun, and no one has agreed yet on who will pay for it.

The diocese also is months behind in presenting a new sexual misconduct policy and opening its financial books to the state. A spokeswoman for the diocese said things have taken longer than anticipated, and the church still is committed to living up to its agreement.

The state said it will hire an outside auditor to help oversee the church's sexual abuse procedures, and it will cost about $200,000. The review should begin next year.
 
 
 

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