Victims of Alleged Clergy Abuse Want Policy Changes from Diocese

By Kathryn Marchocki
New Hampshire Union Leader
February 8, 2012

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120208/NEWS08/702089960

MANCHESTER — Four victims of alleged clergy sexual abuse and their advocates appealed to the state's new Roman Catholic bishop to change the diocese's child sexual abuse policies during a brief sidewalk vigil Tuesday.

The six held signs and asked Bishop Peter A. Libasci to make a "clean break from the past" by replacing the lawyers and others involved with the diocese's victim assistance ministries, publicly post the names and addresses of all credibly accused clergy and support any legislative reform that better protects children from molesters.

Libasci succeeded Bishop John B. McCormack as 10th bishop of Manchester last Dec. 8.

"With this new beginning, we're just hoping there is going to be a new era and it will make it easier for victims to come forward and help make New Hampshire schools, parishes and hospitals safer for the children and the vulnerable," said Barbara Blaine, president of the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also known as SNAP.

Diocesan spokesman Kevin J. Donovan said church officials were unaware the group was outside the chancery's 153 Ash St. office. He said he could not comment on their demands because "these demands were not made to Bishop Libasci or to our offices."

"I am not going to respond to demands indirectly through the media," he added.

Donovan said the diocese's policy is to report all abuse allegations to the state Attorney General and, in situations requiring immediate attention, also to local law enforcement, he said.