Detroit bishop says removed priests' cases could be resolved soon

Published: 2004-08-20

DETROIT (CNS) -- Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Walter A. Hurley said he hopes sexual misconduct cases involving 26 priests of the archdiocese can be resolved by the end of 2004. The Detroit archdiocesan tribunal had already started three canonical trials and a fourth was to begin soon, Bishop Hurley said at an Aug. 11 media briefing. The names of the defendants are not being made available, and no information is released during the course of the trials. The trials are not open to the public. Only after a final decision is reached and approved by Rome will an announcement be made naming the priest and the outcome, said Bishop Hurley, who is Detroit Cardinal Adam J. Maida's delegate for matters related to sexual abuse. He said although it differs from American criminal or civil courts the church's court system also has justice as its aim, and its operation shows "we have listened to the victims." "Basically, it's an honest system within the church of trying to pursue that which is just and fair," he said. Of 26 cases against Detroit priests who have had their ministry restricted because of credible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors, 13 have been returned so far from the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. More are expected soon, Bishop Hurley said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .