COLUMBUS (OH)
CNN
Wednesday, January 11, 2006; Posted: 1:17 p.m. EST (18:17 GMT)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit revealed in written remarks for an appearance Wednesday that he was abused by a priest 60 years ago.
He is believed to be the first U.S. bishop to disclose that he was a victim of sexual abuse by clergy.
"I speak out of my own experience of being exploited as a teenager through inappropriate touching by a priest," Gumbleton, 75, wrote.
He also wrote that there is "a strong likelihood" some perpetrators have not yet been exposed, and the only way to ensure they will be is through the courts.
Gumbleton has endorsed proposals in several states to remove time limits that have prevented many victims of sex abuse from suing the church.