Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Priests could be dismissed
Under new policy, W.Ky. examines cases of three clerics
The Associated Press
OWENSBORO, Ky. — Bishop John McRaith said a new, more restrictive policy adopted last week by American bishops concerning sex abuse could lead to the dismissal of two or three of the western Kentucky diocese's active priests.
Two inactive priests could also be reassigned, he said.
“It's a possibility,” that some may be dismissed, Bishop McRaith told the Henderson Gleaner. “I need to look into each one.”
He said that Monday he started “putting things in place as to how to proceed” in reviewing the cases.
Bishop McRaith has admitted to reassigning priests in the past who had admitted abusing children to positions in the diocese where they would have limited contact with children.
He has said he should have contacted law enforcement about the allegations of abuse.
Bishop McRaith did not provide additional details about the priests that face being reassigned.
Bishop McRaith said he is pleased with the policy passed last week by the Catholic bishops in Dallas that allows them to keep sexually abusive clergy in the priesthood, but bars them from face-to-face contact with parishioners.
Bishop McRaith said he believes the charter embodies what the bishops set out to accomplish and will “unify the country.”
“When a group puts something together you never like everything,” he said. “But it achieves what we want to achieve and that is to protect children and to reach out to victims.”
Meanwhile, Bishop McRaith said he's feeling fine after he fainted Thursday evening.
The 67-year-old was treated at St. Paul's Medical Center in Dallas following the incident.
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