BishopAccountability.org
	For Immediate Release By Paul Kellen NSAC December 28, 2008 http://nsacoalition.wordpress.com/press-releases/ Unprecedented legal action by a Roman Catholic bishop against a supporter of clergy abuse survivors has prompted a national coalition to form in solidarity with the advocate. Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland, Maine initiated a Criminal Trespass Notice with threat of arrest, and a Notice to Discontinue Harassment from the Portland Police Department to activist Paul Kendrick on December 23. The legal move forbade Kendrick’s attendance at Christmas Eve mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. In addition, Malone is reportedly pursuing excommunication of Kendrick from the Catholic Church, effectively barring him access to the sacraments. These harsh measures are being opposed by survivor advocates across the nation who formed a National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) to press their case. They are practicing Catholics alarmed at retaliatory action by a bishop that could set precedent elsewhere. Kendrick has been a forceful presence, objecting to Malone’s lack of action to protect children: refusing to post on the diocesan website the names and locations of credibly accused priests, some of whom live unsupervised near children; refusing to meet with the mother of a victim of a Maine priest; the diocesan staff’s refusal to pay for psychiatric evaluation recommended by a counselor concerned about a potential suicide – t o name several concerns. Kendrick’s advocacy has never disrupted any liturgy or prevented access to it. His holding signs and distribution of information about accused perpetrators has been within the law, so Malone’s response is beyond all proportion to the facts. The Coalition stands behind Kendrick in his efforts to help survivors, and to remain a committed Catholic in good standing. Contact: Paul Kellen, 781-395-3628
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