By Dan Gorenstein
New Hampshire Public Radio
September 19, 2011
http://www.nhpr.org/libasci-controversial-choice-manchester-diocese
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For some, today marks the end of a difficult era for the Manchester Diocese. Bishop John McCormack, whose career has been marred by the Catholic sex abuse scandal, is retiring. The Vatican has named Peter Anthony Libasci as McCormack's successor. But NHPR's Dan Gorenstein reports Libasci is no stranger to clergy sex abuse scandals.
For Bishop John McCormack, this is a moment of celebration.
"It's a wonderful day for our Diocese. If you are Catholic, you can't help but be excited or animated with this good news that we have this wonderful Bishop to succeed me in my office."
"It's my pleasure to welcome Peter Anthony Libasci."
"Thank you, thank you so much for the warm welcome."
Libasci follows the controversial McCormack as the next bishop of the Diocese of Manchester.
McCormack, perhaps, is best known as a top aide to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston.
"He was one of the villains."
That's Terry McKiernan, who runs the website, Bishop Accountability.
"He's one of the people who made things much worse for survivors of abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston and made it much more comfortable for men who were abusing children."
Critics also say McCormack dragged his feet and made it difficult for state officials as they investigated New Hampshire church abuses.
That said, the Attorney General complimented McCormack for transforming the culture and making it safe for children.
Donna Sytek, who chaired the Taskforce on Sexual Misconduct Policy, understands McCormack's legacy will always be tainted.
But she applauds him for doing what he could to make amends.
"He has apologized to the victims. He's prayed over it. I don't know what else he can do, because you can't go back and get a do-over."
Sytek says she hopes the appointment of Bishop-elect Libasci marks a new beginning.
"We need to have a healer. Because this has been a very painful time for Catholics in the Diocese, people are divided over the Bishop, over the scandal. So this allows the Diocese to turn the page and not be burdened by past mistakes."
But for some, the selection of Libasci makes it particularly hard to turn any page.
Terry McKiernan, with Bishop Accountability says just like Bishop McCormack, Libasci comes from the Cardinal Law line of Bishops.
McKiernan says he's also troubled that Libasci headed up part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island that was subject to a Grand Jury investigation in 2003.
In its report, the Grand Jury said it "has examined many instances of criminal sexual abuse by priests."
And goes on to say "A general failure of supervision from officials of the Diocese...compounded and perpetuated these violations with devastating consequences for children."
McKiernan says he believes Libasci should have named some of the priests who allegedly abused children.
"One of the things that concerns us is that Bishop-elect Libasci knew where the bodies were buried. He could have taken the step of releasing the names, instead he kept those names secret."
McKiernan urges Catholics in New Hampshire to judge the Bishop-elect by his actions, not his words.
Given the history of the church, it was inevitable that sex abuse would come up at the bishop-elect's press conference.
Libasci was asked how he would handle the issue as Bishop in Manchester.
"The most important thing right off the bat is the compassion, the compassion and the desire to heal...Individual lives, family lives. So important and that will be a very, very important part of my life."
Several church observers say the challenges facing the church today have moved on to lack of money, and a shortage of priests.
The hope is Libasci will be able to focus on those.
But for some, Libasci's appointment is a distraction away, illuminating a sad time for the Church.
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