A retired priest is urging leaders of the Catholic Church to come clean regarding allegations of pedophilia and sex abuse, according to an article in the National Catholic Reporter.
Father James Connell, a former priest in Milwaukee who worked to help found a national network of clergy members dedicated to reporting instances of abuse within the church called “Whistleblowers,” gave a press conference last week during which he urged the archdiocese of Milwaukee to release all reports of misconduct made against city priests. Currently the city’s archdiocese has only released about 10 percent of those reports, maintaining that the release of such information should be left up to the decision of the religious orders responsible for the accused priests.
“How much more damaging is the actual truth compared to what we are dreaming now?” Connell asked reporters gathered for his news conference. “Jesus said, ‘the truth will set you free.’”
Connell said that many parishioners and fellow priests are encouraging of his work but so far only four priests in the Milwaukee archdiocese have joined him in his regular meetings with abuse survivors. Connell told reporters he remains a Catholic because he is committed to doing what he can to change the church “and not run from it.”
He added that he retired at the age of 70, five years earlier than he initially planned, because of his desire to commit himself to this cause.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse by members of church clergy and would like representation, please contact Leto Copeley, leto@copeleylaw.com.