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  Sex Abuse Victims Seek Disclosure of Abusers' Names

By Beverley Wang
Associated Press, carried in Telegram & Gazette [Manchester NH]
January 10, 2005

MANCHESTER, N.H.— A national support group for victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy is demanding that church leaders post the names of known and suspected molesters on the Internet.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, also want bishops to encourage more victims to come forward by visiting communities where abusive priests served.

On Monday, the group presented its demands - including that bishops also lobby to eliminate the statute of limitations on reporting abuse - to the Rev. Edward Arsenault, a Diocese of Manchester spokesman.

The group is focused on New Hampshire Bishop John McCormack and four other former deputies of Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned two years ago.

The national abuse crisis exploded in Boston in early 2002 and quickly spread to dioceses around the country. Boston's Catholic church was rocked by allegations that church leaders ignored reports that clergymen for years had preyed on children. The archdiocese spent $85 million settling accusations brought forward by 552 people.

Arsenault met with members and supporters of SNAP outside diocese headquarters Monday. He promised SNAP founder Barbara Blaine he would deliver a letter detailing their demands to McCormack and said the bishop would reply.

SNAP founder Barbara Blaine said McCormack has done the "bare minimum" to help victims and protect children.

"We're asking him to be involved in real reform that will both protect children and help victims heal," she said.

Arsenault disagreed. "I believe his leadership is established," he said.

Blaine was joined by four protesters. They were dissatisfied by the meeting. "They just talk spin all the time," said Rose Miskus of Dover.

McCormack did not immediately respond to a call requesting comment.

Abusers' names are not listed on the Manchester Dioceses' Web site, though it does post information on how to report suspected abuse and a 2003 policy on protecting children. Part of that policy includes background checks for all church workers; those who work with children also must go through criminal background checks.

Lists of New Hampshire clergy accused of sexual abuse have been published by the diocese and law enforcement over the years, Arsenault said.

"I don't know that there is a physical integrated list today," Arsenault acknowledged. "If anyone wants to know if a priest has been accused of sexual misconduct with a minor they can contact my office anytime."

McCormack has faced numerous accusations of failing to report abuse claims and helping to cover up molestation cases. He has acknowledged making mistakes, including being too optimistic that molesters could be rehabilitated. As bishop of New Hampshire since 1998, he has instituted aggressive policies to protect children.

SNAP also sent letters to Alfred Hughes, Boston's vicar for administration from 1990 to 1993, now archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisiana; John D'Arcy, who worked in the Boston church until 1985, now bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind.; Roger Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Portland, Maine, and Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Law resigned after 18 years as Boston's archbishop. He was accused of failing to protect children from known abusers; critics said Law assigned priests to churches despite abuse allegations against them.

SNAP did not send Law a letter, said David Clohessy, SNAP national director, because he no longer heads a diocese. Pope John Paul II last year named Law archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

 
 

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