Newly Appointed Archbishop Talks about Sex Abuse

By Mike Springer
KOAT
May 11, 2015

http://www.koat.com/news/newly-appointed-archbishop-talks-about-sex-abuse/32945710

[with video]

The soon-to-be archbishop of Santa Fe said he won’t tolerate sex abuse involving Catholic priests.

Bishop John Wester said he knows what it’s like to be on the frontlines against sex abuse. He’s met with victims and said one of the church’s main jobs is to protect children.

“I have very vivid memories of that, and we made great progress then in our own diocese and I know exceeding here,” Wester said.

But those who represent abuse victims aren’t convinced. They believe Wester’s record leaves much to be desired when it comes to cracking down on the problem.

“When abuse cases surface, or when abuse victims talk to church officials, Bishop Wester does the absolute bare minimum,” said David Clohessy, with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP.

Critics point to the case of Rev. Stephen Whelan. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Whelan was accused of abuse and sued.

Wester was working in the San Francisco Archdiocese at the time. According to the Journal, the archdiocese did not remove Whelan until it lost the case. Wester told the Journal that only the archbishop can remove a priest, so it wasn’t his call to make.

Even though it took some time to remove Whelan, Wester said he’s acted quickly in cases involving children before. He said he once canceled a game, because a coach did not compete his background check.

One thing is clear, when Wester takes the reins in June, a lot of people will be watching very closely.