BishopAccountability.org
	Early Retirement of Daniel Buechlein As Archbishop of Indianapolis By Mary Heins National Survivor Advocates Coalition September 22, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/press-release/ The retirement of Indianapolis' archbishop is a stop, look and listen time for Catholics in Indianapolis. We urge them to become educated with vigor and resilience on the great issue of the times: the sexual abuse of children and minors by priests and nuns. This early retirement bears looking and watching on two fronts, first on the successor. We urge Indianapolis Catholics to be wary of a battlefield promotion of auxiliary bishop Christopher Coyne whose appointment as auxiliary bishop smacked of cronyism. Bishop Coyne was the auxiliary bishop and spokesperson for Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston. Cardinal Law who "resigned" as archbishop of Boston still sits on the powerful Vatican Congregation for Bishops whose recommendations for bishops are rarely rejected by the Pope. We sincerely hope Archbishop Buechlein's successor's record will far outdo Buechlein's on notifications to police regarding sexual abuse by clergy, put an end to moving abusers from one parish to another, include active and sincere involvement in seeking out survivors, and the posting of information regarding all accused abusers on the diocesan website, in parish bulletins and everywhere information can protect children. Second, the Pope's acceptance of Archbishop Buechlein's petition for early retirement is clear linkage of bishop to pope. Without the pope's action, Buechlein would still be the archbishop. When it suits, the Church has tight ties with its bishops, when it doesn't –as it doesn't with sexual abuse proceedings – the Church seeks to distance itself from its bishops leaving the impression they are independent and autonomous. We urge Catholics to use this opportunity to engage or re-engage in the issue of sexual abuse in their parishes by inviting sexual abuse victims to speak and to actively listen to them, hold accountable their auxiliary bishop and new archbishop, and look beyond the press statement. National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) is a confederation of Catholics and men and women of goodwill formed to educate regarding sexual abuse, to seek legislative changes, and to promote justice for survivors of sexual abuse. Contact: MaryHeins2002@yahoo.com
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