BishopAccountability.org
	Clergy Abuse Program Questioned Capital News 9 [Albany NY] February 26, 2005 Clergy sex abuse has certainly been in the news lately, and often times victims don't have a place to turn for help. In Albany, the Independent Mediation Assistance Program or IMAP was designed in September by Judge Howard Levine. Last year, Bishop Howard Hubbard suggested there be a program independent of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese. But the spokesperson of the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests is questioning how IMAP is funded. He said the program got $5 million from the Albany diocese. "First of all I think this is a public relations ploy by the diocese in Albany to actually make it look like they are doing something to help survivors," said Mark Furnish, SNAP. "I certainly understand any perspective that would suggest that there should be independent funding. I would point out that there can be no independent funding. No one other than the diocese came forward with the $5 million proposal," said Scott Fine, IMAP. So far, the program has helped more than 50 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse.