BishopAccountability.org
	Banned Church Member Update By Jim Cyr and Ted Homer WGME CBS 13 January 5, 2009 http://www.wgme.com/News/story_detail/story_detail_8.shtml [With video.] A parishioner who is an open critic of the Portland Diocese in its handling of the sex abuse scandals rocking the church is getting support from a national organization. Last week, the Diocese banned Paul Kendrick from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception after Kendrick said he would show up at Mass on Christmas. Kendrick has been an open critic of how Bishop Richard Malone has been handling cases of sex abuse within the Church in Maine. Bishop Malone obtained two police notices, banning Kendrick from entering the Church and attending any future Masses, claiming Kendrick had taken his protests too far, and that his actions were beginning to amount to threats. On Sunday, people from The National Survivor Advocates Coalition gathered outside the church on Congress Street, handing out leaflets to morning churchgoers and expressing support for Kendrick and his cause. The NSAC's website says its organization "seeks to reveal the truth, promote healing, demonstrate dignity and encourage respect for survivors (of sexual abuse in the church) and their families." Michael Swett, who's with the NSAC, said Bishop Malone's choice to file paperwork with police against Kendrick is rare. "No other Bishop has taken this action against an advocate," said Swett. "And frankly, we think partly the action is taken to silence other advocates and to force survivors not to speak their truth about what happened to them." Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the Diocese declined to comment Sunday, saying the Church had already made its case for why it asked Kendrick not to attend Mass for the time being.
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