February 18, 2006

Priest's case highlights reforms' flaws, critics say

FORT WORTH (TX)
The Dallas Morning News

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, February 18, 2006
By BROOKS EGERTON / The Dallas Morning News

The priest has been accused of molesting at least three girls and three young women in the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese, and church records show he had a "very underdeveloped psycho-sexual personality."

Yet the Rev. Joseph Tu remains on duty in Houston. His superiors say that a past investigation cleared him and that they have no new information to warrant a suspension.

Similar cases around the country have raised questions about whether "zero tolerance" discipline reforms adopted by the nation's bishops four years ago in Dallas have taken hold. Critics say no, blaming everything from weak policies to lack of will.

A lay review board appointed by the bishops will meet this weekend in Austin to discuss whether the policies need to be strengthened.

Austin Bishop Gregory Aymond, chairman of the bishops' committee on child and youth protection, declined to comment in advance of a planned news conference today.

Posted by kshaw at February 18, 2006 08:45 AM