Nun says tragedy of abuse challenges church leaders to be more open

Published: 2005-05-03

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The president of the Canon Law Society of America said in an address May 2 that the calls for accountability by church leaders that stem from the sex abuse crisis could be answered under provisions of existing canonical norms. But mechanisms for holding the leadership accountable to members of the church "may need to be reviewed, renewed and revitalized," said Mercy Sister Sharon Euart. A former associate general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, she has subsequently served as a consultant to a number of dioceses and religious orders on matters related to the sex abuse crisis. Addressing the Eastern Regional Conference of Canonists at a meeting in New York, Sister Euart said these "tragic and painful events" had challenged bishops and religious superiors to become "more open, collaborative and accountable," and the laity "to assume their rightful place in the life and mission of the church."

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