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	Church Must Be Proactive on Abuse By Tom O’Connell Wisconsin State Journal April 5, 2010 http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/mailbag/article_ff8bbb8e-3eba-11df-83c2-001cc4c03286.html WISCONSIN -- The Roman Catholic Church is again concealing the truth as opposed to being proactive about the continuing problem of clergy sexual abuse. Today, though, it's at a much higher level as evidence mounts that suggests the pope has been involved in cover-ups, similar to the church hierarchy in the United States. The Catholic Church and its followers will continue to suffer until specific actions are taken, that can include: • Being transparent and honest over current and past abuse cases. • Releasing the names of the thousands of credibly accused priests (by the church itself) to determine current status and if these priests have been moved to different congregations or dioceses or have changed careers, both avenues allowing for further abuse of children. • Stop being the primary opponent of changing statute of limitations laws. This would include not only clergy but teachers, medical personnel, coaches, family and all other abusers. If the church is truly genuine about putting centuries of abuse behind them, it should demonstrate that by being proactive in the above steps. My brother Dan O'Connell and a family employee were murdered in Hudson in 2002 when Dan confronted a priest suspected of molesting children. Since then my family has worked on reform with the church and beyond.The Roman Catholic Church is again concealing the truth as opposed to being proactive about the continuing problem of clergy sexual abuse. Today, though, it's at a much higher level as evidence mounts that suggests the pope has been involved in cover-ups, similar to the church hierarchy in the United States. The Catholic Church and its followers will continue to suffer until specific actions are taken, that can include: • Being transparent and honest over current and past abuse cases. • Releasing the names of the thousands of credibly accused priests (by the church itself) to determine current status and if these priests have been moved to different congregations or dioceses or have changed careers, both avenues allowing for further abuse of children. • Stop being the primary opponent of changing statute of limitations laws. This would include not only clergy but teachers, medical personnel, coaches, family and all other abusers. If the church is truly genuine about putting centuries of abuse behind them, it should demonstrate that by being proactive in the above steps. My brother Dan O'Connell and a family employee were murdered in Hudson in 2002 when Dan confronted a priest suspected of molesting children. Since then my family has worked on reform with the church and beyond.
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