BishopAccountability.org
	Victims' Advocates Seek Bishops' Disclosure of Clergy Sexual Abuse By Bronislaus B. Kush Telegram & Gazette Staff June 25, 2010 http://www.telegram.com/article/20100625/NEWS/6250493/1101 WORCESTER — Victims' advocate groups yesterday called on the four bishops in Massachusetts to follow the example of Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali and provide full disclosure of all area priests implicated in sexual abuse. The website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia ( www.archphila.org) has a link that accesses a listing of 64 Philadelphia area priests involved in the church's sexual abuse crisis "It's an effective way of getting out the information," said Suzy Nauman, project coordinator of BishopAccountability.org, a website that offers its own national database of clerics accused of sexual impropriety. Browsers can learn about the status of the clerics — most have been laicized — and what assignments the men have held. The link even provides information on two other priests who are being investigated for misconduct. The advocacy groups calling for a complete disclosure of implicated priests in the Bay State held press conferences yesterday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston and outside chancery offices in Worcester, Springfield and Fall River. At the least, they said they'd like to see the websites of the four Massachusetts dioceses provide such information. They said Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston and Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of Springfield have recently promised to provide the information but they have not received commitments from Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester and Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River. "I am not aware of any plans by Bishop McManus to publish names of priests who have been credibly accused in a forum other than what has appeared in the media each time an action was taken when a priest in ministry was found to have a credible allegation against him," said Raymond L. Delisle, a spokesman for the Worcester diocese. Ms. Nauman said her organization's database is incomplete, so it's important that the bishops come forward with the information. She estimated that BishopAccountability.org lists about 3,300 names. The listed clerics were culled from media reports of clergy abuse, legal documents and court proceedings. Ms. Nauman said that in addition to priests, the groups would like the bishops to provide the names of deacons, nuns, seminarians, and lay people active in church matters who stand accused. She said the lists should also include sexual predators, even those deceased. "This is a step in the very long process of healing for the victims," she said, noting that she'd like church officials to occasionally mandate that the lists be published in parish bulletins. "It's also a way for the families of victims to get a sense as to why their loved ones may have been involved with substance abuse or in a wrecked marriage or other relationship." Advocacy group officials decided to schedule the press conferences after Pope Benedict XVI two weeks ago promised that the Catholic hierarchy would do everything possible to prevent future abuse. About two dozen American bishops have disclosed the names of proven, admitted, and credibly accused child molesting clerics who have lived or worked in their dioceses. According to BishopAccountability.org, there are 40 publicly accused priests from the Worcester diocese. The organization believes, however, that the number is actually higher. Contact: bkush@telegram.com
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