The head of the Catholic Diocese of Lexington is condemning abuse within the church and cover-ups that followed and is reaching out to parishioners.
Bishop John Stowe said he knows the Diocese of Lexington is “suffering because of reports from other parts of the country.” Bishop Stowe is referring to the report by a grand jury in Pennsylvania that involves allegations of sexual abuse by more than a thousand victims by hundreds of priests. He said “We all share in the shame of this but we also, our church is bigger than just the sins of some of its members. So we have to focus on the good that we’re doing and hear the cry of the victims and respond to those as best that we can.”
The Bishop said he has not spoken to Bishop Ronald Gainer who is named in the report as being responsible for not taking appropriate action against accused priests. Gainer preceded Stowe and led the Diocese of Lexington for 11 years. Bishop Stowe said the protocol put in place in 2002 still stands in Kentucky. “If there’s anyone who has anything to report they call the victims assistance coordinator and then there would be an investigation if necessary. There’s a review board that’s made up of lay people and professionals both in child protective services and counseling that evaluates the claims and we then do what we can to respond to those needs.”
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests say words are no longer enough and they want more action. They say anyone who knew anything and did nothing should be removed from their positions within the church.
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