DETROIT (MI)
PRNewswire
DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of
Detroit, says he is always disheartened whenever he hears of a claim of clergy
sexual abuse, and is especially saddened by the report that Bishop Thomas
Gumbleton, a Detroit auxiliary bishop, was apparently a victim himself many
years ago. "The Detroit archdiocese was never made aware of this," Cardinal
Maida says.
As it relates to Bishop Gumbleton's remarks on how these cases are
handled, Msgr. Ricardo Bass, Cardinal Maida's delegate for clergy matters,
notes there is no time limit on a person bringing forward a complaint to the
archdiocese. "Bishop Gumbleton's experience is indeed regrettable," says
Msgr. Bass, "and, no doubt, it frames his personal opinion on this matter. As
we would with any person in his situation, the archdiocese stands by its
commitment to provide counseling assistance as needed." Regarding the statute
of limitations, Msgr. Bass adds, "it has served our society well in protecting
the rights of everyone, especially after a long passage of time.