ALBANY (NY)
Albany Times Union
By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, September 1, 2005
ALBANY -- Four priests accused of sexual misconduct in the Albany Diocese who are challenging their removal from ministry could face a rare, secretive tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church.
The four -- Revs. John F. Connolly, Joseph Romano, James Kelly and James McNerney -- are among 20 priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany removed from ministry since 1950 after they were accused of abusing minors.
Each has adamantly denied the allegations since a diocesan review panel determined the claims against them to be credible.
All four have requested a "canonical trial," a centuries-old church proceeding that differs greatly from civil and criminal trials. The tribunal, held behind closed doors, is overseen by a panel of three out-of-town canon lawyers, who are usually priests.
Another canon lawyer, known as the promoter of justice, acts as the prosecutor who lays out the case against the accused.