PORTLAND (ME)
Portland Press Herald
By DAVID HENCH, Portland Press Herald Writer
Advocates for victims of sexual abuse by clergy demonstrated outside the chancery of the Portland Diocese on Tuesday, calling on the state's bishop to publicize the names of priests who have been accused of abuse.
The group of 15 included relatives of abuse victims and Boston-area activists. The group delivered a letter asking Bishop Richard Malone to release the names of 33 clergy who were accused of sexual misconduct with children. The group said disclosure of the priests' names would alert the communities where those priests now live.
"These people need to be identified because other kids have been abused," said Pauline Salvucci of Westbrook.
"There's no excuse for hiding these people anymore," said Rick Webb of Wellesley, Mass., who helped start Speak Truth to Power, an advocacy group.
The diocese July 8 released the names of nine deceased priests who would likely have been removed from active ministry based on the allegations against them. The release followed a lawsuit by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram that compelled the state to release the names of 25 deceased clergy who had been accused.