Alleged Abuse Victim Discusses Imesch's Retirement, by Mike Parker, CBS 2 [Illinois], May 16, 2006

Alleged Abuse Victim Discusses Imesch's Retirement

By Mike Parker
CBS 2 [Illinois]
May 16, 2006

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_136171423.html

(CBS) CHICAGO The difficult times continue for the new bishop of the Joliet Diocese.

He faces a barrage of lawsuits and whiplash from anger.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports on one accuser who charges that he church covered up the sex abuse scandal.

Bishop Joseph Imesch announced his retirement Tuesday, saying his resignation is due to approaching age 75.
Photo by the CBS

"He wanted to share with me some secrets, some secret things that priests did," the alleged abuse victim said.

Monsignor James Peter Sartain
Photo by the CBS

This man says when he was a young boy in the 1960s, a Lombard priest molested him. He also says that Joliet Bishop Joseph Imesch later protected the priest, even refusing to tell police about another child sex case. The man, who wants to conceal his identity, is not unhappy that Imesch is stepping down.

"The legacy that Imesch has left is one of cover-ups, deliberately re-victimizing victims, putting the children of the Joliet diocese at risk by keeping these perpetrators out there," he said.

The 75-year-old Imesch resigned Tuesday, telling his successor he's inheriting a vibrant Catholic community. The new shepherd, 53-year-old Bishop James Sartain of Little Rock, seems to recognize he's stepping into a minefield of bitterness and unsettled lawsuits.

"I hope to continue in earnest the healing already begun here and needed so badly throughout our country following the scourge of sexual abuse," Sartain said.

"We can only hope that he will follow-up on his words," the alleged victim said.

A long-time Imesch critic says the new bishop must follow through.

"To open up the records and reach out to the victims who have been harmed there and create a new climate of openness, transparency and healing," said SNAP's Barbara Blaine.

In March, Imesch responded to complaints from SNAP and others. He apologized for his actions.

"For all the hurt I have caused, I am truly sorry," he said.

His successor refused Tuesday to slam the door on a possible meeting with SNAP.

This man says when he was a young boy in the 1960s, a Lombard priest molested him. He also says that Joliet Bishop Joseph Imesch later protected the priest, even refusing to tell police about another child sex case.