January 21, 2005

CNY priest accused of sexual abuse

NEW YORK
News 10 Now

1/20/2005 10:42 PM
By: Al Nall, News 10 Now Web Staff

In his three years leading the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams has never had to deal with a sexual abuse case. He isn't sure he has one to deal with now, but he did receive a letter from a third party, accusing a priest of sexual abuse some 30 years ago. The letter named the priest, not the victim.

"At this time the allegations are unsubstantiated. We've had no victim come forward and say to me or to our response team that something has occurred. So right now it is still in the area of unknown, which is part of the difficulty of being able to respond," said Bishop Adams.

If a victim doesn't come forward, the church won't disclose the priest's name or pursue a criminal investigation. The Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests, or S.N.A.P., says the church is wrong for not revealing the accused priest's name. They say doing so would help more victims come forward and remove suspicion from other clergy members.

Allegations of sexual abuse by a priest 30 years ago are now causing a stir in the Episcopal Church of Central New York. But as News 10 Now's Al Nall reports, the church has yet to find a victim.

"They're all suspect then at that point because it's no different than me coming to you and saying I know someone in your family who abuses children but I'm not telling you who it is. It's the same kind of thing there. I mean who in your family are you going to trust now," said Charles Baldwin, of S.N.A.P.

Posted by kshaw at January 21, 2005 03:56 AM