Advocates Want Bishop's Attention, Brian Yocono, WCSH, January 11, 2009

Advocates Want Bishop's Attention

By Brian Yocono
WCSH
January 11, 2009

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=98770&catid=2

SCARBOROUGH (NEWS CENTER) - Advocates for those abused by Priests are looking for Bishop Richard Malone to take more action. Members of the National Survivors Advocate Coalition met for Mass Sunday morning at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Scarborough where Bishop Malone was presiding. They had stickers which read, "Bishop Malone, Please Meet With Marie Tupper" and they were worn throughout Mass. Tupper's Son was allegedly abused by a Priest. She claims her efforts to meet with Bishop Malone have come to a dead end. Police were called to the scene to make sure the group did not get out of hand, but no arrests were made. The Diocese offered this statement in response to Sunday's silent protest. "Mrs. Tupper met with Bishop Joseph Gerry a few years ago about this," said Diocesan Spokesperson Sue Bernard. "Counseling has been offered. Last month, Bishop Malone offered her a meeting with the highest ranking person on his staff along with the chair of the independent Review Board because they would be better able to address the specific questions she asked. Past experience with this group tells us even if we meet this demand, the demands continue to change and increase. Of course the bishop should spend time addressing individual requests, but he also has to keep focus on his commitment to make the Church in Maine the safest place possible for children. He is committed to this goal through the new safe environment program for children and the adults who work with them, by removing offending priests and continual encouragement of anyone who has been harmed to make reports to civil authorities and Church officials." The National Survivors Advocate Coalition will continue bringing its message to the Bishop wherever possible.