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  Bishop Wades into Public Policy

By Mark Peters
Portland Press Herald [Augusta ME]
January 19, 2005

AUGUSTA — Bishop Richard Malone, the leader of Maine's 234,000 Roman Catholics, told lawmakers Tuesday that he would support legislation that toughens laws against child sexual abuse, and promised to deal swiftly with priests and others who offend. Malone, in his first policy speech to Gov. John Baldacci and legislators, did not discuss the church's stance on a gay-rights bill that the governor is expected to propose later this year.

But he did say he would work against same-sex marriage, push for improved health care for the poor and try to add a moral dimension to State House debates.

"Members of the diocese, including the bishop, are participants in the political process," Malone told lawmakers at a luncheon at the St. Paul Center.

Malone, whom church members described as energetic and an effective communicator, became bishop for the Diocese of Portland 10 months ago and is expected to increase the church's involvement in how state policy is shaped.

"He is just a very public person," said Daniel Snow, a member of the diocese's public policy committee.

Malone gave first priority Tuesday to the sex-abuse scandal that has rocked the church for the past two years. He said tougher new laws would be part of the process the diocese is going through to repair damage caused by abusive priests.

Malone cited no specific legislation, but said he is reviewing a list of proposed bills that are still being drafted and are not ready for debate.

"There are several (bills) that would strengthen the efforts of the state and the church to protect children," Malone said.

The Maine chapter of the Catholic reform group Voice of the Faithful supported Malone's commitment to look at new legislation, but called for him to do more within the church to protect children.

Michael Sweatt, a spokesman for the group, called on the bishop to release the names of former and retired priests suspected of abuse so Mainers know where they live now. Other dioceses have done that, he said.

"It would be a great step forward. It would be a great example to the Legislature," Sweatt said.

Malone, who is entering his first full legislative session as bishop, must also deal with the issue of gay rights.

Malone made it clear Tuesday that the church opposes same-sex marriage. He did not, however, take a stance on a proposal to expand the Maine Human Rights Act to protect gay and lesbian residents from discrimination. Baldacci plans to present the bill later this year.

In 2000, the Portland diocese supported an anti-discrimination measure after its leaders and gay-rights activists reached a compromise that included an exemption for religious organizations. The proposal, however, failed in a statewide referendum that year.

Malone said he has not seen the text of what the governor plans to propose, making it hard to comment.

Groups for and against the proposal are waiting to see where the Catholic leader stands. Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League, said that if the Catholic Church opposes the anti-discrimination measure, the bill has little chance of succeeding.

The installation of Malone and developments in Massachusetts regarding same-sex marriage could lead to a different position for the Catholic Church this time, Heath said.

"I think it will make a big difference what (the bishop) does," Heath said.

Betsy Smith, executive director of the statewide advocacy group Equality Maine, said little will change in the proposal from what the church backed in 2000, so Catholic leaders should support it.

Many expect Malone to be more involved than his predecessor, Bishop Joseph Gerry, in large public-policy issues. John M. Kerry, chief executive for Catholic Charities Maine and a former state senator from Saco, pointed to the very different backgrounds of the two bishops.

Gerry came to Maine from a monastic background, Kerry said, while Malone arrived after serving in the very public position of secretary of education for the Archdiocese of Boston.

"Bishop Malone has made it clear he intends to communicate his priorities to the Legislature," Kerry said.