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	Archdiocese Reacts Angrily to Accusation against Chaplain By Steve Schmadeke and Manya A. Brachear Chicago Tribune November 21, 2008 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-house-chaplain_21nov21,0,6538905.story With one of their highest profile priests under fire, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago shot back Thursday, saying abuse victims' advocates have crossed a line. Colleen Dolan, communications director for the archdiocese, said accusations that Rev. Daniel Coughlin, the current chaplain to Congress, failed to report sex crimes are "reckless and irresponsible." From 1990 to 1995, Coughlin oversaw a retreat center in Mundelein that housed priests accused of abuse. He worked as vicar for priests from 1995 until his appointment to Washington in 2000. In a letter dated May 20, 1999, 10 months before he was nominated for the chaplain post, Coughlin asked the Wisconsin Parole Commission to release Norbert Maday, 70, from prison and place him under the supervision of the Chicago archdiocese. Maday has been convicted in 1994 of sexually abusing two teenage boys. "We would be pleased to receive Norbert Maday into the archdiocese of Chicago system," Coughlin wrote in a letter released this year as part of a legal deposition. Cardinal George reversed Coughlin's request in April 2007 after dozens more allegations surfaced. Maday is no longer a priest in the Catholic Church. Dolan said as vicar for priests, Coughlin worked on behalf of priests whether in parishes or prison. Calls from victims' advocates to discipline Coughlin for doing that job make no sense, she said. Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, criticized Coughlin for failing to notify law enforcement and failing to reach out to victims. She said it reflected a pattern of behavior in the archdiocese. But Dolan insists that Coughlin was never responsible for overseeing accused priests and therefore wasn't responsible for reporting it to law enforcement or reaching out to victims. There is no evidence, she said, that Coughlin covered up anything. "It is unconscionable and reckless that such an accusation would be made," Dolan said, adding if Blaine has evidence of crimes that Coughlin failed to report, she should come forward. But Blaine said no evidence to the contrary is cause for suspicion. "They're splitting hairs and trying to divert us from the real issue," she said. Contact: sschmadeke@tribune.com Contact: mbrachear@tribune.com
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