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	7 Ave Maria Professors, Protesters Sign Statement Supporting Pope's Handling of Sex Abuse Scandals Naples Daily News May 8, 2010 http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/may/07/7-ave-maria-professors-protesters-sign-statement-s/ A handful of professors from Ave Maria School of Law added their signatures to a statement from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars calling recent criticism of the Pope "inaccurate and unjust." The statement, available at the organization's website, catholicscholars.org, was drafted by an Ave Maria School of Law professor, Jane Adolphe, along with Robert Fastiggi of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. It responds to public criticism of Pope Benedict XVI and his handling of recent sex abuse scandals in Europe, particularly media reports laying blame on the Pope for not responding adequately at the time sex abuse allegations were brought before senior Catholic Church leadership. In a numbered list, the statement condemns all sexual abuse of minors by members of the Catholic Church, and especially clergy, recognizes mistakes made by past authorities, expresses gratitude to the Pope for his "leadership and courage" in addressing the sexual abuse crisis in the Church and condemns "unjust attacks" made against the Pope "by certain elements of the secular media." It also lambasts charges that priestly celibacy is in any way linked to sexual abuse, or that sexual abuse of minors is a problem unique to the Catholic Church. According to the National Catholic Register, seven professors or administrators from Ave Maria School of Law signed the statement, out of 40 signatories. They are: Eugene R. Milhizer, president and dean; Bernard Dobranski, dean emeritus and professor of law; Ligia De Jesus, assistant professor of law; J. Brian Scarnecchia, associate professor of law; Jane Adolphe, associate professor of law; Michael Orsi, chaplain and research fellow in law and religion; and Stephen Mikochik, visiting professor of law.
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