Boston clergy abuse victims frustrated by new archbishop choice in Bishop Richard Henning

BOSTON (MA)
WCVB - ABC 5 [Boston MA]

August 5, 2024

By Emily Maher

The appointment of Providence Bishop Richard Henning as the successor of Cardinal Sean O’Malley as Boston archbishop has reopened wounds for victims of the Boston clergy sex abuse scandal, according to an attorney who represented many victims.

“So many survivors have given up on the Catholic Church,” said attorney Mitchell Garabedian.

Garabedian has represented victims of clergy sex abuse from the Archdiocese of Boston for decades. They say the archbishop-elect has done little to protect and support victims and children.

“It’s a revictimization for survivors,” he said.

Garabedian expressed his frustration over Pope Francis’s decision to appoint Henning to the Archdiocese of Boston.

“The victims see it as more of the same. O’Malley, he tried to smooth things over. Bishop Henning, Archbishop-elect Henning, will try to do the same thing,” Garabedian said.

O’Malley came to Boston in 2002 when the archdiocese was entangled in a scandal, with victims coming forward as adults, claiming they were sexually abused as children by clergy members.

Garabedian said victims don’t have faith that the archbishop-elect will create substantial change to support victims and protect children.

“He could reach out to survivors, meet with survivors and listen to their concerns about how they were affected when they were sexually abused,” Garabedian said.

Something Garabedian said has not happened.

“The strongest voice in this entire matter is the voice of the victims, collectively. That’s a voice that should be listened to by Bishop Henning,” Garabedian said. “But he’s not going to listen to that voice.”

emaher@hearst.com

https://www.wcvb.com/article/boston-clergy-abuse-victims-frustrated-by-new-archbishop-choice-in-bishop-richard-henning/61795289