Review boards seek neutrality, independence on sex abuse issues

Published: 2003-12-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Judge Michael Talbot of the Michigan Court of Appeals wants his expertise, independence and credibility to help the church resolve the clergy sex abuse crisis. "As every layperson who came to learn of the scandal, I was shocked and hurt and sad for the church," he said in explaining why he agreed to be chairman of the Detroit archdiocesan review board that advises on actions to take against accused priests and on overall polices to prevent abuse. "I had the background," said Talbot of his 20 years as a trial judge before being appointed to the appeals court in 1998. "This work had to be done," he told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview. Talbot is one of hundreds of volunteers with a wide variety of expertise being tapped by dioceses across the country to become part of local review boards. They are experts in crime fighting and in dealing with the emotional, psychological and spiritual fallout of clergy sex abuse of minors.

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