Clergy Sex Abuse Victims Say O'malley Should Be Next Pope

WCVB
February 28, 2013

http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/Clergy-sex-abuse-victims-say-O-Malley-should-be-next-pope/-/9848876/19125646/-/dp5mvoz/-/index.html


Local Catholics and victims of the church sex abuse scandal are speaking out Thursday, and some say Cardinal Sean O’Malley should be the next pope.

Bernie McDaid, a clergy sex abuse victim from Peabody, was one of the few victims to meet with Pope Benedict XVI. He believes the crisis played a huge role in the pope's decision.

"Change is here, folks, whether you like it or not. It's here," McDaid said.

Now, McDaid is looking past his differences with O'Malley, saying the cardinal understands the gravity of sexual abuse and has truly listened to the victims.

"Sean O'Malley should the next pope and very well could," he said.

He said unless the church hears the voices of victims, “I believe the church is doomed."

Donna Doucette, the executive director of the Voice of the Faithful, has doubts there will be a meaningful change from a closed organization which has “little regard for the voices of lay people.”

"To the cardinals and bishops it's clear how you get ahead in the church -- and it's not by listening to the people," she said.

Doucette agrees that O'Malley has helped in the healing process of the clergy sex abuse victims and has been transparent with church budgets, but she is doubtful he will be the next pope.

"The problem is any bishop elected will be hobbled by an administration that came straight out of the Middle Ages," she said.

On Monday, the cardinals are expected to begin meeting to set the date for the conclave.