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  The Diocese of Yakima Creates Abuse Hotline for Victims

KNDO/KNDU
July 4, 2008

http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8619445

YAKIMA, Wash-- The victim was abused by Friar Frank Duffy in the late 1980s, but at that time there weren't any programs to help the those abused by members of the church.

Duffy worked in Yakima from 1979 to 1989 at Saint Joseph Parish in Yakima and also at Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Cowiche. Later moving to Portland and Spokane to work in Jesuit communities. He died in 1992.

Spurred by the Catholic sexual abuse scandals in Boston, the Yakima Diocese has taken a proactive approach to helping victims.

"The Catholic Church realized it had done things wrong in many ways. And we wanted to make up for our mistakes and start a program to do things correctly. And so we've made a lot of changes," said Rev. Robert Siler.

Duffy's victim is now receiving pastoral care with Yakima Bishop Carlos Sevilla and Friar John Whitney of the Jesuit community in Portland.

The Yakima Diocese abuse hotline is: 1-888-276-4490. Siler says that since the hotline has been available many victims have come forward.

 
 

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