ALBANY (NY)
WNYT
ALBANY, Aug. 16
By ABIGAIL BLECK
A group that calls itself the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests ( SNAP) is demanding the Vatican -- not the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany -- determine the future of local priests accused of sexual misconduct.
Eighteen priests have been removed from ministry in the Capital Region. They aren't allowed to be active in the Church but will receive pensions and health insurance benefits until they die.
That's not the case in other parts of the country.
The laicization process utilized by other dioceses completely secularizes a priest found guilty of abuse, taking away all ecclesiastic control and benefits. In other words he would no longer be a priest.
The Albany Diocese calls its discipline measure one step below laicization. It removes offending priests from Church service requiring them to live a withdrawn life of penance and, says Bishop Howard Hubbard, is "adequate protection for the community."