Victim Group Wants Pictures, More Info about Disciplined Priests

By Cierra Putman
Rochester Homepage
June 7, 2012

http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=323312

Where's the rest? That's what supporters of priest abuse victims and other groups are asking about a list released by the Rochester Catholic Diocese this week.

Bishop Matthew Clark released the names of priests punished for sexual abuse in the last 10 years. Pictures, addresses and past work information; that's what supporters of survivors and other organizations say is missing from this list. Both BishopAccountability.org and SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) applaud the diocese for releasing the names, but they want to see all priests who have been punished, not just those in the last decade. They believe there are many more who were unnamed.

BishopAccountability.org says about 30 other dioceses have released similar lists nationwide. Some also included current addresses, a history of parishes in which the priests worked and most importantly to them - pictures of the priests. None of which was included in the Rochester list.

"How can parents take precautions or teachers or whoever has young children," SNAP member Becky Ianni said. "How can they take precautions against someone they don't know who they are, where they are?"

A spokesman for the Rochester Catholic Diocese said via email there are no plans at this time to release addresses or pictures. However it plans to add more names if there is suitable evidence in the future.

The diocese asks victims to come forward to report past or present sexual abuse by calling the diocese's victims' assistance officer at 585-328-3228 ext. 1215.