Bishop discusses abuse cases

[Ian David]

Black Collar Crime
July 29, 2007
By Ken O'Brien STAFF WRITER

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Two months before Sartain moved to Joliet, the Diocese of Joliet released the names of 22 priests accused of sexually abusing children. Of those, six of the men were criminally convicted, 11 have been named in civil lawsuits and the others were announced in 2002 when they were removed from ministry.

Imesch became a lightning rod for how he handled the cases. Critics charged that he protected priests at the expense of children.

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But a Minnesota lawyer who has handled cases against the diocese that are pending in DuPage County said it is "still business as usual" under Sartain. Jeff Anderson has also handled cases in other dioceses around the country, including against the Archdiocese of Chicago. Linda Pieczynski, who speaks for Call to Action, which aims to reform the Catholic Church, said she and others are still waiting for Sartain to make changes in how the Joliet Diocese operates. Pieczynski lives in the diocese in Hinsdale.

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"I have seen no changes in transparency, openness or an interest by the bishop to really reach out and help the victims," Anderson said.


More:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/488355,4_1_JO29_SARTAIN_S2.article