Ten-Minute Activist: Short Letter/Email Bishop Admits That He Is Keeping an Accused Priest in Active Ministry Monsignor Martin P. Ryan is credibly accused of abusing several girls, but Bishop William E. Lori knowingly keeps him in ministry at St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield CT (see picture). If you are concerned about this case, please read our summary below and write a brief Letter to the Editor.

Important Facts

* Allegations: Monsignor Martin P. Ryan is accused of abusing a teenage girl at St. Theresa's in Trumbull CT in the mid-1970s, after luring the girl to the rectory. At least two other women allege abuse by Ryan.

* Settlement: This abuse case was included in the 10/15/03 settlement approved by Bishop Lori.

* Norms: "When even a single act of sexual abuse by a priest or deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest or deacon will be removed permanently from ecclesiastical ministry." USCCB Norms, art. 8.

* David Clohessy, National Director, SNAP: "We are distraught over Bishop William Lori's decision to keep an admitted molester in active ministry, thus violating the charter and his pledge to put the safety of children first. Lori's decision is a gross violation of the zero tolerance policy toward sexual abuse Lori and other church leaders have promised."

* Jim Alvord, CT VOTF: "The diocese's action in this case flies in the face of everything we were brought up to believe."

How to Get Involved

If you are concerned about this case (click here to read two articles about it), please take ten minutes to write a brief Letter to the Editor of the Connecticut Post. National attention is often necessary to resolve a problem like this, so we encourage Ten-Minute Activists from Maine to California to express their concern. Below we provide contact information that might be useful. If you would like to let us know that you've been a Ten-Minute Activist on this issue, please send us a quick email. Many thanks for your involvement!

Contact Information

Connecticut Post (Web site: www.connpost.com)
* Email a Letter to the Editor
* Fax a letter to the editor (203) 367-8158

Bishop William E. Lori (Web site www.bridgeportdiocese.com/)
* Email a copy of your letter to Bishop Lori, care of Dr. Joseph McAleer
* Mail a copy to Bishop Lori at:
Most Rev. William E. Lori
Diocese of Bridgeport CT
238 Jewitt Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06606-2892

Bishop Wilton D. Gregory (Web site www.usccb.org)
* Email a copy of your letter to Bishop Gregory
* Mail a copy of your letter to Bishop Gregory at:
Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194