CHEYENNE (WY)
Star-Tribune
By ROBERT W. BLACK
Star-Tribune capital bureau Thursday, August 25, 2005
CHEYENNE -- Following new allegations of sexual abuse by now-retired Bishop Joseph Hart, a support group for victims of clergy abuse on Wednesday asked Roman Catholic Church officials in Wyoming to remove Hart's name from a wing at St. Joseph's Children's Home in Torrington.
"It sends the wrong message when we name an institution like that after someone like Bishop Hart," said Barbara Blaine, president and founder of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, which is based in Chicago.
She also called on Bishop David Ricken, leader of Wyoming's 50,000 Catholics, to work harder to reach and help anyone who might have been assaulted by Hart.
"We are extremely concerned for other victims who are out there and other children who may be at risk in the state of Wyoming," she said.
Five people have now filed suit against Hart, who has repeatedly and adamantly denied the prior accusations. Attempts to reach him and his attorney Wednesday were unsuccessful.