Cardinal O'Malley Must Release the Names of Priests and other Religious Who Have Been Credibly Accused of Child Sexual Abuse

-
The Boston Globe recently wrote an op editorial in which they rightly described Cardinal O'Malley's responses to clergy sexual abuse as "a push and pull between the old forces of secrecy and the new pressure for transparency." In March 2009, the Cardinal publicly stated that "in the very near future" the Archdiocese would revise its policy on "disclosing information about accused clergy and the status of cases against them." Fifteen months later, despite urgings from child advocates and abuse victims, and the fact that two dozen other Bishops have released this information, we in Boston still wait.

The Cardinal's new Vatican assignment to help Ireland address its clergy sex scandal should prompt him to resolve unfinished business in his own Archdiocese. He must release now the names of all proven, admitted or credibly accused Archdiocesan priests, religious order priests and brothers, deacons and nuns - whether living or deceased. Included must be the allegations against them, how many children were proven or alleged victims, the names of parishes and schools to which they were assigned, their current whereabouts, and any Vatican orders regarding their laicization or restrictions in their duties. The names of credibly accused religious transferred to the Boston Archdioceses from Ireland and other foreign countries must also be included.

Limiting the release of information about old, already-known cases will not do. Release of audit records from the Diocese of Manchester last year confirms that U.S. Catholic dioceses have received many allegations in recent years. Nearly one-third of known accused priests in that Diocese were named between 2004 and 2009.

We agree with the Cardinal, that: "The Church must be unfailingly vigilant in protecting children and young people." Parents and adults also want to be vigilant against the threat of child sexual abuse. They need to know the names and whereabouts of as many as 200 Boston-area predator priests, most of whom are likely living and working among unsuspecting families and colleagues and who continue to pose an ongoing risk to our children.

Jetta Bernier, Executive Director
Massachusetts Citizens for Children
June 10, 2010

Popular posts from this blog

Isis Interview with MCC: Each Child Should Be Cherished

-
Image
Written on February 17, 2012 by Isis Staff in In The News Isis Parenting is proud to support Massachusetts Citizens for Children and their commitment to keeping children safe from abuse and neglect. We decided to interview the folks at MCC so they could describe their history, current initiatives and their unique logo, designed by artist Corita Kent. The "Cherish Mug" is adorned with the MCC logo and available for purchase at Isis Parenting and on the MCC website. Tell us a little bit about MCC and your mission. Massachusetts Citizens for Children was founded in 1959 by Martha May Eliot, M.D., a Harvard educated pediatrician who went on to head the U.S. Children’s Bureau and UNICEF. Her idea, which was supported by then Governor Foster Furcolo, was to establish a permanent and independent organization of concerned citizens who would work to improve the lives of the state’s most vulnerable children. Our mission is grounded in the belief that all children have basic ri...
Read more

Bill extends time limit on sexual abuse lawsuits

-
Bill extends time limit on sexual abuse lawsuits Would let alleged child victims file until age 53 By Travis Andersen, Derek J. Anderson and Jennifer Smith  | GLOBE STAFF | GLOBE CORRESPONDENTS   JUNE 20, 2014 http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/06/19/senate-passes-bill-give-alleged-sex-abuse-victims-more-time-file-lawsuits/m91An2iTb0EZSPdsioS4eI/story.html  The Massachusetts Legislature is on the verge of finalizing a bill that will give alleged child sexual abuse victims an additional 32 years to file civil lawsuits, a move one specialist said will open the door to thousands of new cases. The bill would extend the statute of limitations for filing suits against alleged perpetrators and, in future cases, the people or institution supervising them. Under the legislation, the victims would be able to file suits up to age 53, instead of the current limit of age 21. The Senate passed the measure Thursday, after it was approved by the House Wednesday. Lawmakers ...
Read more

In Today's News :"Baker, Coakley Wrangle Over DCF"

-
Baker, Coakley Wrangle Over DCF 10:48 AM WED OCTOBER 15, 2014 By RUPA SHENOY http://wgbhnews.org/post/baker-coakley-wrangle-over-dcf Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker has faulted his Democratic rival, Martha Coakley, for her handling of a lawsuit brought by a New York nonprofit against the state of Massachusetts. Baker charges that by fighting an out-of-state, nonprofit child advocacy group in court, rather than negotiating with them, Coakley missed an opportunity to improve care for the Bay State’s most at-risk children. That was four years ago, when a New York-based group called Children’s Rights alleged in federal court that the state Department of Children and Families exhibited a detailed and troubling pattern of negligence in the care of some of its charges. Coakley, representing the state as attorney general, convinced a Boston federal judge that Children’s Rights hadn’t made its case. The nonprofit is appealing. Baker says Coakley coul...
Read more