GARY (IN)
Indianapolis Star
January 2, 2005
Gary -- A national group that defends victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests is questioning why it took the Diocese of Gary eight months to investigate a priest recently accused of abusing a youth during the 1980s.
David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, sent a letter Thursday to Bishop Dale Melczek of the Diocese of Gary and to Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Diocese of Orlando in Florida.
The letters asked why it took the two bishops eight months to respond to allegations made against the Rev. Richard Emerson.
Two weeks ago, Melczek announced that Emerson, 52, would be placed on administrative leave from his position as pastor of Michigan City's Notre Dame parish because allegations of sexual abuse made against him were deemed credible.
Posted by kshaw at January 2, 2005 08:38 AM