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December 30, 2007

Reading “Church complies with safe-child rules” (Dec. 21), one has the impression that all is well at the inn.

Safe environment programs, background checks, etc., covered by the audit – unquestionably, all good stuff.

However, it is well-known that the best line of protection for innocent children begins with identification and notification.

Still today, Bishop Richard Malone refuses to reveal the names and whereabouts of another dozen credibly accused priests.

These men have been removed from ministry, their cases remanded to the Vatican for laicization and they remain supervised. Bishop Malone maintains their secrecy.

Every day that Bishop Malone keeps this information underground is another day children are at risk. If we don’t know who or where the perpetrators are, we cannot notify the community, and we cannot protect children.

Of utmost pastoral importance are documenting the extent of the abuse and promoting healing with the victims and parish communities.

Bishop Malone hasn’t gone into every parish where credibly accused priests have served, called victims and families to come forward to report their abuse and promoted their healing. He should have done this at the Cathedral and St.Patrick’s in Portland, and at St. Hyacinth in Westbrook, where we recently learned accused deacons and priests lived and ministered. During this Christmastide when we celebrate the birth of the child Jesus, we pray that Bishop Malone will look upon the baby in the manger as representative of all children and that his heart be moved and his mind changed about protecting Maine kids.

Michael Sweatt

Voice of the Faithful

Portland