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	Conservatives Blast Scahill By Jack Flynn The Republican April 16, 2010 http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1271405821174980.xml&coll=1 EAST LONGMEADOW - A conservative Catholic group has called on Rev. James J. Scahill to apologize for suggesting that Pope Benedict XVI should resign if he does not take stronger action to confront the church's sexual abuse scandal. Adding its voice to the uproar over Scahill's remarks last weekend, the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts said the priest had effectively accused the pope of lying during four sermons at St. Michael's Parish on Saturday and Sunday. "It is a serious matter when a priest suggests that the Vicar of Christ is a liar," said C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Dedham-based group. "Prudence and justice would demand that he had unassailable facts and irrefutable evidence to substantiate his charge. Sadly, James Scahill has neither," he added. Reached Thursday afternoon, Scahill said he does not regret the remarks and will not apologize. "This has nothing to do with Jim Scahill; it's about the total lack of transparency relating to the abuse of children and minors and the subsequent cover-up for decades," he said. Offered during sermons on Saturday and Sunday, the priest's comments drew standing ovations at two Masses, and attracted international media attention in the following 48 hours. The 63-year-old priest, a longtime critic of the church's handling of clergy sexual abuse cases, repeated his criticism on CNN Tuesday after turning down invitations to appear on "Good Morning America" and other national news programs. Scahill told The Republican on Tuesday that he had received hundreds of phone calls following his sermons and about 95 percent were supportive. Speaking on Scahill's behalf Thursday was William J. Nash, of Ashfield, a self-described victim of clergy abuse, who held a press conference outside the Elliot Street headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. "I think Father Scahill is a brave man," said Nash, a self-employed potter. "There are very few Catholic priests who would oppose the Vatican." Nash, and other members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, called on Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell to publish a list of past abusers in the Western Massachusetts diocese and the pope to set up an international online registry of priests credibly accused of abuse. Mark Dupont, a spokesman for McDonnell, said the diocese has made public credible allegations against priests and lay people. "It certainly exceeds what any other institution does," he said. McDonnell earlier this week expressed disappointment with Scahill's sermons, noting that they coincided with a church weekend celebrating compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation. The Catholic Action League is know for conservative stands on abortion, gay rights and other cultural issues. The league denounced church officials for allowing U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's funeral Mass to be held at the Mission Church in Boston last year. Material from The Associated Press was used for this report. Contact: jflynn@repub.com
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