Bishop Seeks Prayers Amid New Charges of Sex Abuse

By Pat Gee
Honolulu Star-Advertiser via The Worthy Adversary
September 3, 2012

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A letter outlines church efforts to help alleged victims and ensure safety

Bishop Larry Silva of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu is assuring parishioners that their leaders have done and are doing everything possible to assure clergy sexual abuse never happens again.

In a letter dated Aug. 24, Silva responded to allegations by former students of Damien Memorial School and St. Anthony Church in Kailua that they were sexually abused by clergy in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. It can be read in full on the diocese's "e-NewsLetter" at www.catholichawaii.org.

Claims have been filed in a New York bankruptcy court against the North American branch of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and in Hawaii against the diocese and other defendants, according to a Star-Advertiser story Aug. 24.

Under a new law that went into effect in April — which circumvents the lapsing of the statute of limitations on abuse that may have occurred decades ago — victims have until 2014 to file suit.

"This is a matter of great pain and shame to all of us Catholics, especially our wonderful priests