BOSTON — A lawyer representing victims of clergy sex abuse is criticizing the Archdiocese of Boston for not listing on its website the names of several priests who have faced accusations.
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian said Tuesday that by not publicly listing the priests' names, the diocese has "lost the ability to understand the need to protect children and help victims try to heal."
The archdiocese says it immediately reported all allegations to law enforcement when it received them.
It says it does not list the names of priests who were dead when the allegations are received, as five of the latest clerics were.
The archdiocese says another priest, the Rev. Richard Donahue, is retired, and the allegations against him remain under investigation. It was not immediately clear if Donahue has an attorney.
The Archdiocese of Boston sent Boston 25 News the following statement:
"The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people in our parishes and institutions. We evidence that commitment in part by following our publicly-stated protocol for handling claims of abuse, as we have in the allegations asserted in today's press conference wherein it falsely suggests that archdiocese has broken from promises.
With respect to the following names raised today and as required by our protocols, all allegations were immediately reported to law enforcement when they were received by the Archdiocese.
Regarding the publication of their names, we are consistent with our policy for disclosure.
The following are deceased and were at the time the allegation was received and therefore are not listed:
• Fr. Gerard D. Barry
• Fr. Walter Casey
• Fr. Charles Mc Gahey
• Fr. Edward J. Mc Laughlin
• Msgr. Charles J. Ring
The following priest has not been in active ministry and has been publicly disclosed and is therefore listed on our website:
• Fr. Arnold E. Kelley
The following priest has been retired for a number of years and is under preliminary investigation. The allegation was received after his retirement took effect. A determination of the allegation has yet to be reached:
• Fr. Richard Donahue
The following individual is no longer a priest and the allegation was received after he was no longer in ministry:
• Mr. John Sweeney
Since his installation, Cardinal Seán has made it a priority to create safe environments in the Archdiocese's churches and schools and to continue to support all people impacted by clergy sexual abuse. The policies and practices of the Archdiocese include working with law enforcement agencies and community professionals to report and investigate instances of sexual abuse, annually screening approximately 50,000 clergy, employees and volunteers, and implementing effective prevention training programs. In addition, through the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach (OPSO), the Archdiocese continues to reach out to those who have been harmed by the tragic reality of clergy sexual abuse in order to provide pastoral help and counseling services to survivors and their families.
To learn more about the Archdiocese of Boston Commitment to Pastoral Support, Healing, Protection and Prevention please click here.
Through its Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach, the Archdiocese continues to make counseling and other services available to survivors, their families and parishes impacted by clergy sexual abuse and by allegations of abuse by members of the clergy. Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley encourages any person in need of pastoral assistance or support to contact the Archdiocese's Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach by calling 617-746-5985."
Associated Press
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