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	NH AGs, Staffs Recognized by Victim Advocacy Groups By Tom Fahey New Hampshire Union Leader March 7, 2008 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=NH+AGs%2C+staffs+recognized+by+victim+advocacy+groups&articleId=82e7f24e-a7c8-4286-b3fa-cb7b6c7d8252 CONCORD Two victim advocacy groups gave "Truth and Justice" awards yesterday to prosecutors who pressed child molestation cases against the Catholic Diocese of Manchester. Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the release of an Attorney General's report and 9,000 pages of documents that detailed the way the church handled complaints it received of sexual abuse by priests. New Hampshire Voice of the Faithful and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) used the occasion to honor the current and former attorneys general and their staffs for their work in the case. Carolyn Disco of Voice of the Faithful said reading through boxes of documents, turned over to the Attorney General's Office under court order, "is a sickening, infuriating experience." In thanking Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and former AGs Peter Heed and Philip McLaughlin, Disco said, "because you painstakingly gathered the facts, researched applicable case law, and were willing to follow through, you wrested a virtual admission of guilt from the Diocese." Many of the abuse cases brought up during the investigation had exceeded the statute of limitations and could not be prosecuted, senior assistant attorney general William Delker said yesterday. Although there were as many as 30 individuals priests involved, fewer than 10 were brought to justice. Ayotte said that "our goal has been from day one to ensure that no other child is a victim . . . We will continue to focus on these issues and will continue to fight for children." The Diocese admitted as part of its settlement that it would likely have been convicted of child endangerment for the way it handled information about abusive priests. The settlement also included an agreement to submit to performance audits. The audits are meant to measure the effectiveness of church programs aimed at preventing recurrences. Results of the third audit is due to be released in the next 30 days. A fourth audit will be released in January 2009. Delker said audits have shown "ups and downs ... with some significant improvements. There've also revealed some weaknesses, but that was the very point of the whole process." Patrick McGee, spokesman for the Diocese, said the church has been cooperating with the state. "We have an excellent working relationship with the New Hampshire Attorney General's office, especially in regard to mandatory reporting, cooperating in civil investigations and cooperating with audits over the last few years," he said. "Certainly we see the protection of young people and children as the work of the entire church in New Hampshire." Although the Diocese has paid roughly $21 million in settlements with victims, Disco said, "the real cost is incalculable." She said her parish had four priests who were named as child abusers. She still blames church leaders for leaving them in places where they could victimize children. "Long ago I had to separate my faith from the hierarchy . . . they betrayed the faith I believe in," Disco said. David Clohessy of SNAP criticized the church for fighting the investigation, in which some high-placed officials refused to talk with investigators unless they were given immunity. "Is the common good and safety of children really promoted by secrecy?" Clohessy asked.
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