YAKIMA (WA)
Yakima Herald-Republic
By JANE GARGAS
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
In many ways, it's a dilemma that won't go away.
How to handle allegations of priest sexual abuse that have arisen around the country continues as an issue nationally and here in the Catholic Diocese of Yakima.
Members of the local chapter of Voice of the Faithful, a group advocating reforms in the Catholic Church, say not enough has changed since the scandal erupted nationally in 2002.
They also claim that accusers have leveled more allegations against local clerics than the diocese is admitting.
Further, they say, the national image of the church is in trouble, partly because of the actions of two former Yakima bishops.
The Yakima Diocese has said six local clerics have been accused of abuse.
Voice of the Faithful members believe there may be several other instances of abuse in which no charges or lawsuits have been filed.