New England dioceses join reporting system for sexual abuse

CONCORD, N.H. — Several dioceses in New England are joining an independent system for reporting misconduct or abuse by church leaders.

The system, started earlier this year by the Diocese of Boston, was joined Wednesday by the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire, the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont, the Diocese of Portland in Maine as well as several dioceses in Massachusetts.

Hosted on the EthicsPoint website, the system is confidential and allows alleged victims to file abuse claims anonymously. All claims will be reported to law enforcement and apostolic nuncio as necessary. The status of the claims can be tracked.

The announcement comes two weeks after the Diocese of Manchester posted on its website the names of 73 priests dating to 1950 accused of sexually abusing children. The Vermont diocese is expected to publish a similar report soon.

Associated Press