BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Sentenced but Questions Remain Guelph Mercury July 10, 2011 http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion/editorial/article/560117--priest-sentenced-but-questions-remain When Guelph author Ken Hills went public as a victim of sex assault by a Roman Catholic priest last year he did so in a significant way. He wrote a book about his experiences — framed in novel form: Requiem for Black Shoes. Then, he participated in public speaking events about the book, the journey that led to him producing it, and on his views about the scandal he has come to have a very personal and sad connection to. In the book and in news coverage related to it, Hills declined to identify his abuser. When the book emerged, Hills, 73, said he assumed the old priest was dead. He learned that was not so and after much deliberation became one of multiple complainants in a criminal case against the priest. Days ago, Hills became publicly identified as one of Rev. Hodgson Marshall's victims. After participating in the sentencing of the 88-year-old priest, he told media outlets such as The Catholic Register that he had found some additional closure through the criminal proceedings. He also said he forgave Marshall. Hills has shown remarkable courage, strength, perspective, character and faith during this process. He remains a Catholic. But he raises fair questions about the church in its handling of Marshall and other priests who engaged in such abuses. He wondered publicly why Marshall remained a priest when he pleaded guilty to 17 counts of indecent assault. Those counts were related to assaults against Hills and 16 other young victims between 1952 and 1986. That question about Marshall's ongoing status as a priest is something that demands a response. So too does the unanswered question as to when Marshall's superiors knew of his criminal actions. Many of his victims were students at Catholic high schools in Windsor, Sudbury and Toronto, where Marshall and his order of priests taught and were administrators. "I'm very disappointed in the Catholic Church because he's going to prison as a Catholic priest," Hills told The Windsor Star. He called it an "embarrassment to all the good priests and good Catholics" everywhere. Hills has indicated he will say no more publicly about this case. May he continue to be an example of great strength to others victimized in this episode. And, may his questions about Marshall soon be conspicuously answered.
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