Reading people their rights: Dioceses probe sex abuse cases

Published: 2003-12-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- John Brennan talks more like a police officer than a permanent deacon as he ticks off how his job with the Diocese of Portland, Maine, involves reading people their rights. Actually, he's both. Deacon Brennan is the diocese's top cop for investigating allegations of clergy sex abuse of minors. Prior to his 1998 ordination to the diaconate, he was Portland's deputy police chief. So, during his clerical probes, Deacon Brennan tells people they have the right to not incriminate themselves, to be represented by a civil attorney and a church lawyer, to know the nature of the accusations and to due process. "It reads like the Miranda warnings," he said, referring to the statement police read suspects when taking them into custody. In keeping with U.S. bishops' policies and norms approved by the Vatican in 2002, dioceses across the country are putting into place procedures for investigating allegations of clergy misconduct. They also have established local review boards to advise their bishop confidentially on actions to take regarding accused priests, including permanent removal from the priesthood. Another part of the boards' task is to advise the bishop on overall policies to prevent further abuse.

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