BishopAccountability.org

NY - Albany Predator Priest Case Moves Forward; SNAP Responds

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
September 8, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_albany_predator_priest_case_moves_forward_snap_responds

A clergy sex abuse and cover up case involving an Albany Catholic priest will proceed, despite a pathetic effort by Albany’s bishop to exploit legal technicalities to keep the cover up covered up.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Judge-rejects-diocese-appeal-4797573.php

Bishop Howard Hubbard should accept the court’s ruling, stop further delays, and let this brave victim seek justice.

Hubbard’s splitting hairs over which court has jurisdiction rather than showing leadership and helping out resolve this case.

It’s clear he’s dreadfully afraid that long-secret church records about Fr. Mercure will surface. Hubbard also fears that he’ll have to face tough questions under oath in open court about what he and his top staff did to ignore, conceal or enable Fr. Mercure’s crimes.

Over 11 years ago, America’s Catholic bishops pledged to be “open and transparent” in clergy sex abuse and cover up cases. Yet Hubbard is saying here “We want our records to be kept secret” and “Even if we have to disclose our records, we don’t want them being made public.” What does he have to hide?

In public, Hubbard claims to be a compassionate shepherd. But in court, he fights like a cold-hearted CEO, even in cases involving a predator priest whose guilt has been clearly proven.

We hope every single individual who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Albany – whether by Mercure or any church employee – will speak up, get help, call police, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and start healing.




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