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  Abuse Victims Confront Bridgeport Archdiocese

By Keith Kountz
WTNH
March 29, 2011

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/fairfield_cty/abuse-victims-confront-bridgeport-archdiocese

[with video]

Bridgeport, Conn (WTNH) - Some advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse are making demands of the Catholic Archdiocese in Bridgeport.

They say more information needs to be revealed about accusations made against clergy members, and on Monday they delivered that message in person.

Two groups representing the victims of clergy abuse say the Bridgeport Archdiocese and Bishop William Lori need to be more forthcoming about former church employees who have been publicly accused of wrongdoing.

"If you look at the Archdiocese website you don't find names of accused priests at all, but you do find their press releases, in which they discredit a victim from a year ago," said Anne Barrett Doyle from the website BishopAccountability.org

They point to three cases. One involving a former priest, a second involving a one-time nun, and a third involving a former church groundskeeper who worked at a church in Trumbull. All three were publicly accused of sexual molestation, although none were prosecuted criminally.

The accused either left the church voluntarily, were suspended by the church, or faced action in civil court.

The church has an entirely different take on things. They say Bishop Lori has been upfront about allegations against priests and other church workers.

"I think it misrepresents what the bishop has done. His legacy in terms of dealing with sexual abuse issue is unparalleled. What he did in this diocese has become a model for what the rest of the country has done," Bridgeport Archdiocese spokesman Brian Wallace said.

Those on the other side of the argument say the Bishop's lack of transparency, and what they call his 'continued secrecy' on the issue is troubling.

"Each of these three credibly accused catholic employees have spent time in this diocese and molested children, and we believe they're still walking free and dangerous," David Clohessy from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said.

Those activists say transparency on the issue is so critical, because parish members need to be aware if someone with a dangerous background shows up at their church.

 
 

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