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	Mercure to Be Sentenced Wednesday By Marci Natale CBS 6 February 14, 2011 http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/diocese-1282864-mercure-says.html Gary Mercure faces life in prison at his sentencing Wednesday at Berkshire County Superior Court in Pittsfield. He was convicted last week on three counts of child rape and one count of assault and battery of a child. Victims testified at trial that more than 20 years ago when they served as altar boys at a Queensbury parish, their priest, Mercure raped them on day trips to the Berkshires. "Over the last several days we've received dozens of phone calls and e-mails supporting the decision of the jury and we believe that's a significant fact." Said Mark Lyman, Capital Region director for S.N.A.P, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Lyman is now asking the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese to post the list of priests in the Albany Diocese that have been removed. A spokesperson for the Diocese said Monday, the Diocese announces everytime a priest is removed. Mike Flynn who says he's a survivor of clergy abuse joined Lyman Monday. Lyman credits Flynn for exposing Mercure back in 2008. "The diocese sent a letter out that said Gary Mercure's actions were sinful, criminal and reprehensible. I'd like to futher that by saying anyone who covers up these types of actions is also guilty of those same things." said Flynn. Lyman says the Diocese should have acted sooner than 2008. He says it knew about several allegations against Mercure dating back to 2000. Victim Advocate, John Aretakis showed a letter submitted to a Diocesan attorney on behalf of a victim claiming another priest was told about the abuse. The Diocese says it investigated this report, but the alleged victim was not willing to follow through. A spokesman says Mercure was questioned and denied any wrongdoing.
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