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Bishops in Denver (Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:55 am)

ARCC supports the VOTF-LI Project Millstones' call for our bishops to restore their credibility and public respect for the episcopacy by openly acknowledging their role as enablers of sexual abusers. Setting up the mechanism for an independent external investigation leading to full disclosure should be a major priority at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' meeting in Denver. In 2002 a Dallas Morning News study found that as many as two-thirds of U.S. bishops may have covered up for accused priests. While the exact numbers may be challenged, it is clear that by remaining silent and transferring offending priests, many bishops are at least as responsible as the perpetrators themselves and all bishops will remain under a cloud of suspicion until and unless the culture of secrecy itself is uprooted .

We agree with Project Millstones that "the bishops' complicity is related to a systemic evil in the church's style and structure of governance. One treats a disease and contains its disastrous effects. One expunges systemic evil" (http://www.votf-li.org/projectmillstones.html).

In a healthy institution, we should be able to appeal to top administrators for help in this matter, but the reward given to Cardinal Law for his fidelity makes it clear that the Vatican not only fails to comprehend the gravity of the situation, but continues to expect bishops to swear and live by the traditional Oath "never to reveal to anyone whatever has been confided to me to keep secret and the revelation of which could cause damage or dishonor to the Holy Church." Without vowing absolute loyalty to the institution's image no man can become a bishop. In our view, keeping this Oath has caused damage and dishonor to the Church comparable to the abuses that brought about the Reformation 500 years ago.

If ordinary people are expected to submit to a criminal background investigation to hold an office of trust in the Church and in Civil Society, surely bishops should set the example and do what is necessary to individually clear their names and regain our trust. We respectfully call our bishops to freely do whatever is necessary to remedy this major cause of "damage or dishonor to the Holy Church."

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(Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in converation with Dr Ingrid Shafer)