May 12, 2006

Catholic officials, including Sisters of Mercy, urge healing, forgiveness

TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade

By TAD VEZNER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Catholic officials responded yesterday to the murder conviction of Gerald Robinson with formal, prepared statements urging healing and forgiveness.

Meanwhile, others who had pledged support to the 68-year-old retired priest expressed an equally steadfast refusal to accept the jury's judgment.

Shortly before a Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury's announcement it had found Robinson guilty of the brutal 1980 slaying of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl, a spokesman for the Toledo Catholic Diocese contacted The Blade to say the diocese would have a prepared statement on the verdict but would not take questions at a press conference.

In his prepared statement, Bishop Leonard Blair called for healing and prayers for all involved in the trial - including Robinson.

Posted by kshaw at May 12, 2006 07:45 AM