Editorial: Diocese Stronger for Handling of Complaint

Greenwich Time
February 6, 2015

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Editorial-Diocese-stronger-for-handling-of-6065418.php

In suspending a priest for allegedly abusing a child 30 years ago, the Bridgeport Diocese has put into action its pledge of zero tolerance and transparency.

These are exceptional circumstances. The statute of limitations for child sexual abuse expired decades ago, so police will not pursue criminal charges. Bishop Frank Caggiano posted a letter on the diocese website Wednesday afternoon that there was "credible evidence" that Stephen DeLuca committed a single act of child abuse more than 30 years ago.

That designation was not made by Caggiano alone, but by the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board. The matter might have been dealt with quietly, given that DeLuca retired in June, but Caggiano underscored that the diocese is committed to total transparency in the handling of such cases. This means it was prominently announced on the website, and will be addressed during Masses at all of the churches where DeLuca served, which include St. Catherine of Siena in Riverside, where he was a priest in residence, and at St. Agnes in Cos Cob, where he was pastor from 1984 to 2006. He was also well known in Greenwich for his work with the sick and elderly at Nathaniel Witherell nursing home and Greenwich Hospital, where he served as chaplain until a few months ago. He also served as president of Greenwich Catholic School's board of directors, as treasurer for the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy and as a staff member at the former St. Mary's High School in Greenwich. A diocese spokesman said the alleged incident did not occur in Greenwich.

The change in status means DeLuca can no longer live at St. Catherine or work as a priest. In the absence of legal charges, he will not be placed on a sex offender registry list or face prison time, but it is also unlikely that he could ever be cleared of the accusation in the court of public opinion.

The Bridgeport Diocese could not permit DeLuca to continue to serve under the cloud of credible evidence. For decades, victims who were abused by priests suffered the further indignity of being ignored by the diocese. A decade ago, the diocese settled sexual abuse claims for more than $37.7 million.

Caggiano was candid in stating that this "distressing news . . . further wounds the diocese."

The bishop is not entirely correct. By addressing the issue, the diocese contributes to the healing process for victims of abuse. By being transparent about it, the diocese also takes strides toward mending what for many was a broken faith that it would protect children. The diocese is stronger for the way it handled this matter.