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	Bishop's Letter Addresses Case of Convicted Cleric Toledo Blade May 15, 2006 http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060515/NEWS10/60515007 Bishop Leonard Blair yesterday released a statement to the Toledo Catholic Diocese in which he addressed the conviction of Gerald Robinson, 68. The letter, which was dated May 12, was supposed to be read in all parishes yesterday. In it, the bishop noted that Robinson — convicted Thursday of killing Sister Margaret Ann Pahl at Mercy Hospital in 1980 — is regarded as a retired priest and continues to be suspended from any public ministry. Bishop Blair addressed the issue of the diocese's cooperation with the Lucas County prosecutor's office after it was reported that the prosecutor might consider obstruction charges against the diocese because of concerns that the diocese did not turn over all records relating to Robinson in 2004. Bishop Blair said he would not allow and does not condone "any action or failure to act — past, present, or future — that would shield a cleric from proper investigation or punishment under the civil law. It is a fundamental principle of justice that we are all equal under the law." Bishop Blair stressed his hope and prayer that the end of the Robinson trial could "bring some measure of healing for all those affected by the case as well as for our local church." The bishop noted that he continues to pray for the Diocese of Toledo, for Sister Margaret Ann and her family, and everyone involved in the case. Robinson was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison; his attorneys plan on appealing the conviction.
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