By Laurel J. Sweet
Boston Herald
August 25, 2011
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1361360
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| Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley |
The Archdiocese of Boston is upgrading its Web site today to include one-stop shopping for information on past and present clerics already publicly accused of sexually abusing minors.
The new site can be likened to a sex offender registry for priests and deacons.
The controversial step for a church lambasted for its history of denial and secrecy has Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley girding for criticism, hoping for praise and praying www.bostoncatholic.org doesn’t crash from a sudden traffic rush, officials close to the cardinal told the Herald.
“Some will say we’ve thrown priests under the bus. Others will say we haven’t gone far enough. What we’re posting is factual information. If there’s backlash, so be it,” the Very Rev. Richard M. Erikson, Vicar General and O’Malley’s second in command, said during a sitdown interview at the Pastoral Center in Braintree.
“The idea was to make access to this information simpler for people,” he said, “but when you’re dealing with such raw emotion and pain, nothing’s simple.”
Details on the identities, work status and parish histories of 159 clerics who have been found guilty of sexually abusing a child or teen either by the church or the state, who have been accused and volunteered to be laicized (separated from the clerical state), who have been accused of sexual abuse and placed on administrative leave while their cases are investigated, who were no longer in active ministry when they were accused and even those where abuse claims were unsubstantiated will now be instantly available at the public’s fingertips.
Their photos are not included, but their years of birth and ordination are, as well as whether they’re dead or alive. Dead clerics, who were previously publicly accused are also listed, but 62 whose names never reached the public domain are not.
Among the 159 names are 22 clerics whose cases are still open canonically. The accusations date back as far as 1950.
Erikson said the listed clerics were being notified by letter. Asked how he expected them to take the news, Erikson suggested it was a no-win situation for all involved.
“When there is an accusation of sexual abuse, it is absolutely horrible,” he said. “There is the possible abuse of a child or minor, which is absolutely horrible. The second possibility is that it’s not true and the priest’s reputation is ruined for life. Whether it’s true or false, it’s horrible.
“Rightfully so, the church is held to a higher standard,” he said.
A church official told the Herald new complaints of sexual abuse of children by local clerics have become almost nonexistent, but if any arise, the lists will be updated.
“Thank God, it’s rare,” Erikson said.
In a seven-page letter explaining his reasoning behind the policy revision, O’Malley said, “I am acutely aware of the harm that the abuse of children by clergy has caused in the lives of so many. And while I know there will be some who believe our policy changes should go further, after careful consultation and consideration of views expressed by so many people and groups, I believe that the changes we are making are appropriate ...”
Contact: lsweet@bostonherald.com
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