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  Papers Show Idaho Bishop Protected Abusive Priests
Driscoll Has Again Apologized for Mistakes between 1976 and 1987 in California Diocese

Idaho Statesman [Idaho]
May 19, 2005

Idaho Catholic Bishop Michael P. Driscoll was one of several high ranking church officials who brought a priest with a complaint of sexual misconduct into a southern California diocese and moved another priest when a complaint of sexual misconduct arose, according to documents made public Tuesday.

Driscoll served as chancellor in the Orange Diocese between 1976 and 1987 and he was responsible for clergy personnel matters. He was named the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise in 1999.

In 2002 as the priest scandal exploded nationwide, Driscoll apologized for mistakes in handling priest sexual misconduct matters. He issued a second apology earlier this month documents were about to be released.

"I ... apologize to the victims who were harmed by priests in the Diocese of Orange and for my role in these cases," Driscoll wrote in a prepared statement before the documents were released. "I am ashamed that this happened. The focus at the time was to provide help to priests so they could continue in their vocations. I know know that our priorities were horribly misplaced."

Nearly 1,000 people in California filed lawsuits claiming they were molested by priests. These documents were part of a $100 million settlement between 87 people and the Diocese of Orange.

These documents are private personnel files of 14 priests and one layperson. They were released by court order after a judge ruled the information could help the state protect children from abuse.

None of the documents or legal issues deal with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise.

The documents show:

• Driscoll helped bring the Rev. Siegfried Widera from Wisconsin to Orange County in the mid 1970s even though there were complaints of sexual misconduct against him. He had been convicted of child molestation in 1973, the Orange County Register reported Wednesday.

The documents show the archbishop in Wisconsin wrote that the priest once had "a moral problem having to do with a boy in school." He also wrote, "I gather there would seem no great risk in allowing this man to return to pastoral work."

• Driscoll helped relocate from California to eastern Oregon a priest accused of sexually molesting boys. Driscoll wrote church officials there that a doctor's evaluation indicates that the priest's past "will never be a problem again" and that the priest was "tremendous" and "highly respected."

He assured the Oregon officials that an attorney representing an alleged victim would not press a lawsuit once the priest was moved.

• Driscoll was one of the Southern California church officials who returned some priests to the ministry during and after psychotherapy. They received the treatment following charges of sexual misconduct.

Driscoll declined to be interviewed Wednesday. "Knowing that no matter what he says or does will seem inadequate to some, he has decided to simply stand by the heartfelt apology and statement he has made," said Colette Cowman, diocesan spokeswoman.

Members of a national organization for victim of abuse by religious leaders weren't impressed with Driscoll's apology. They blasted the bishop Wednesday calling his statement "smart public relations but shallow morality."

Driscoll should come forward with all information he knows about sexual misconduct of priests in the Diocese of Orange, said Mary Grant, western regional director of SNAP, a national group with 5,500 members and 60 chapters.

"Some of these priests are still out there and he may have information that could lead to their prosecution," Grant said.

In Boise, Cathy Silak, co-chair of Idaho's diocese committee that investigates sexual misconduct cases, said she supports Driscoll. Her committee likely will not look into any questions about Driscoll raised in the documents, she said, because the events occurred outside the Idaho diocese.

She also said Driscoll has shown strong support for protecting children since he arrived in Boise in 1999.

Under his leadership, the Catholic church in Idaho has instituted background checks for church workers.

More important, Silak said, Driscoll's apology shows "his viewpoints on this have evolved. I think in general he is well respected and a very effective bishops."

David Guerrero, of Palm Springs, who alleged he was molested by a priest, criticized Driscoll.

"I would say Bishop Driscoll's a sick, immoral person to allow something like this to take place," the Los Angeles Times quoted Guerrero as saying.

"And now he's the bishop of Boise? It's disgusting."

 
 

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