UNITED STATES
The Times
BY BRIAN D. SABIN
Medill News Service
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, February 3, 2006 1:03 AM CST
Due process does not apply to priests accused of molesting kids and it never has, according to both a priests advocacy group and critics of the Catholic church.
For different reasons, both priests and church critics say due process hasn't been observed when it comes to allegations against priests.
Priests say they're practically guilty upon accusation. Critics say the church for too long gave accused priests a pass and simply transferred them to other assignments without adequately investigating or addressing the problems.
Recent abuse allegations against Chicago clergymen show that in the court of public opinion, "innocent until proved guilty" stops at the church doorstep. "I don't know of any priest who is not afraid," the Rev. Robert Silva said.