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	Abuse Case Delays Bishop's Letter on Diocese Finances By Gary Soulsman The News Journal March 26, 2009 http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090326/NEWS01/903260368 With the Diocese of Wilmington ready to accept pledges for charities, pastoral and sports programs as well as schools during the annual Catholic Appeal in late April, Bishop Francis Malooly was set to release a letter on finances this month in which the impact of sexual abuse lawsuits would be one of the issues addressed. However, the letter will be delayed until after Easter, given that a jury is to be chosen in the next few weeks for a case filed by lawyers for Doug McClure, an alleged victim who says he was raped by Rev. Edward B. Carley at Wilmington's St. Ann's Church between 1954 and 1956. McClure was 8 at the start of the alleged abuse. The diocese has delayed the release of the bishop's letter to avoid any charges that the timing would influence the jury pool, according to parties familiar with the case who asked not to be quoted. In recent years, a diocesan financial statement has been released in the spring and included a letter from Bishop Michael Saltarelli, now retired, on the impact of cases, said Bob Krebs, a spokesman for the diocese. As cases go forward, there is ongoing interest among the 230,000 Catholics in Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore about finances and a statement has been released in the spring on the health of the diocese, said Krebs. Since the summer of 2007, when the Child Victim's Act was signed into law, almost 30 cases have been filed by victims alleging abuse in the diocese. The law eliminated the state's two-year civil statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases and provided a two-year window, during which cases previously barred could be filed. In-pew solicitations for the Catholic Appeal will take place during Commitment Weekend, set for April 25-26. The diocese has set a target of $3,978,100, a 4-percent increase over last year's goal of $3,825,100. Contact Gary Soulsman at 324-2893 or gsoulsman@delawareonline.com
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