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	Question of Candor: Diocese Falls Short Again Union Leader [New Hampshire] May 6, 2007 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Question+of+candor%3A+Diocese+ falls+short+again&articleId=80308bf8-283b-4d60-af31-657787fc2400 Is the Diocese of Manchester in compliance with its policy on preventing the sexual abuse of minors and with its settlement agreement with the state ensuring that the diocese takes certain steps to protect minors? No, say auditors and Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. Yes, says the diocese. Let's have a look. The latest compliance audit of the diocese, released Friday, reports "significant progress" and "substantial positive enhancements" to the diocese's compliance program. Yet the audit contains several findings of noncompliance. For example, not everyone accused of sexual abuse is placed on leave while the allegation is being investigated, as is required by the agreement. And the diocese often lacked proper documentation to verify that all relevant personnel had background checks and the required training. Despite those findings, Rev. Ed Arsenault said in a press release on Friday, "The Report cites no instance where we have not complied with our diocesan policy, the Charter, and the Agreement." Asked to reconcile his statement with the findings of the audit, Arsenault said, "We're aware of those, nobody has said it's perfect. That's one example (improper documentation) where there might be a lack of full compliance in one instance." He went on, "It's not going to be perfect on any one day, but I do think it is substantially compliant." "Substantially compliant" is a far cry from his statement earlier that day that "The Report cites no instance where we have not complied." And that leads to the audit's conclusion that Fr. Arsenault was not committed to reaching full compliance and that during an interview with him "there appeared to be a lack of detailed information and candor." Fr. Arsenault disputes that claim and says the interviewer was hostile and unprepared. Perhaps that is so. But Fr. Arsenault and Bishop John McCormack do have a history of splitting hairs, obfuscating and spinning. Their commitment to the spirit of this agreement, and to the truth in general, always has been in serious doubt, and despite the progress made in meeting the church's legal obligations that commitment remains in doubt.
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