Bishop takes counseling in lieu of charge for late reporting of abuse

Published: 2006-11-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop Daniel F. Walsh of Santa Rosa, Calif., agreed Nov. 20 to enroll in a diversion counseling program in lieu of facing possible criminal charges for his delay in reporting allegations that one of his priests sexually abused a minor. Bishop Walsh publicly apologized for failing to report the alleged abuse to authorities immediately and said he would accept "whatever punishment is imposed." In other recent developments concerning clergy sex abuse: Ohio's nine dioceses have joined to set up a $3 million fund for independent counseling for victims of childhood abuse at the hands of Ohio church personnel; the Pittsburgh Diocese announced a new spiritual outreach program for abuse victims; the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., released the names of 20 priests believed to have abused children; a defrocked Denver priest facing numerous abuse allegations died while vacationing in Mexico; and a suspended priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Pa., who was convicted of embezzlement and sexual abuse of minors, was put back in prison for violating the terms of his probation.

Copyright (c) 2006 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .