BishopAccountability.org
	Lifting the Shroud Boston Herald August 26, 2011 http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/editorials/view/2011_0826lifting_the_shroud/ For far too long the Archdiocese of Boston responded to accusations of unspeakable behavior by some of its priests with a sickening combination of secrets and lies. Shielding the church from "scandal" meant burying accusations of abuse brought by innocent children, and shameful efforts to protect abusive priests. But times change, and institutions can, too. Now beginning his ninth year in Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley is continuing to make significant progress to promote healing and transparency within this still-wounded church, including the release this week of the names of 159 clerics who have been publicly accused of abuse within the archdiocese. We can't imagine a more dramatic contrast to the earliest, ugliest days of the clergy abuse scandal — when the names of clerical offenders dripped out in an agonizingly slow manner, and every week seemed to bring word of another cover-up at the highest levels — than a database including details on the identities, work status and parish histories of those accused. O'Malley did not make public the names of another 40 priests from religious orders or other dioceses accused of abusing children here, or a number of dead priests who were unable to defend themselves. His second in command, the Very Rev. Richard M. Erikson, acknowledged the inherent conflict in seeking to publicize this information. "Some will say we've thrown priests under the bus," he told the Herald. "Others will say we haven't gone far enough. What we're posting is factual information. If there's backlash, so be it." Given the horror of what happened to so many children this step is not something to celebrate. But it should be acknowledged that the church today and its policies aimed at protecting children would be unrecognizable to those whose earlier actions brought deep shame to an institution beloved by so many.
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