At a press conference in front of the diocese's headquarters, Peter C. Pollard, coordinator of the Western Massachusetts affiliate of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, asked for the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell's support as the group sends a letter to Pope Benedict XVI.

The letter from the national organization calls for Dupre to be held accountable for allegations of sexual child abuse, be encouraged to seek further treatment, be defrocked and have his whereabouts disclosed.

A local Voice of the Faithful representative joined the press conference and read a statement of support.

Dupre, who resigned 15 months ago when allegations were brought forward by two men who said he abused them as children, entered St. Luke Institute in Maryland upon his resignation. His whereabouts since then have remained a mystery, and neither the diocese nor the pope's U.S. representative have commented on a probe the Vatican initiated upon his resignation as bishop.

Pollard tried to deliver a letter to McDonnell at the chancery, but Vice Chancellor Sister Carol Cifatte answered the door and informed Pollard that McDonnell wasn't available. Cifatte took the letter.

Pollard also asked McDonnell in the letter to make pleas himself in all churches for priests and parishioners who know anything about incidents of abuse to come forward.

The diocese did not comment, other than to say it will not break privacy laws to disclose the whereabouts of Dupre.

"We implore you to use your authority to both protect the still vulnerable and to heal the still wounded," the letter to the pope read.

"In our view, and in the view of at least one Massachusetts prosecutor, Dupre belongs behind bars (and would likely be there if not for a legal technicality)," the letter stated.

Dupre was indicted on two charges of child rape last fall, but Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett said he couldn't pursue the charges because of the statute of limitations.

"His (alleged) victims and their families deserve peace of mind," the letter continued.

One of Dupre's alleged victims, Tuan Tran, stated several days ago that he supports the effort by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

He expressed disappointment that he and the other alleged victim cooperated with the Vatican investigation and were never informed whether the probe was concluded.

A statement read by John M. Bowen of Longmeadow, an organizer of a newly formed East Longmeadow chapter of Voice of the Faithful, urged the pope to hold Dupre and other bishops to the same standards as other priests.

"Bishops must be held accountable for their personal and institutional actions," Bowen said.

Bishops do not fall under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults, which is the policy U.S. bishops created in response to the clergy abuse scandal in 2002. Dupre, as bishop then, supported the measure.

About six members of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests attended the press conference.

A man from Springfield, Vt., who wanted to remain anonymous because of a pending lawsuit against the diocese, said he attended the press conference after reading a story about the planned event.

"I support those who want to do what's morally right. It often takes courage to do that," the man said.