Southern African bishops note abuse allegations against late bishop

Published: 2007-10-01

PRETORIA, South Africa (CNS) -- The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference said it learned of allegations of sexual abuse against the late Bishop Reginald J. Orsmond of Johannesburg "with great sadness." Mario D'Offisi, a former resident of Boys Town in Magaliesburg, claims in a book that Bishop Orsmond sexually abused him over three years in the 1960s. Bishop Orsmond, who died in 2002, founded South Africa's youth care organization, Boys Town, after being inspired by the Oscar-winning U.S. film "Boys Town," starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. "In accordance to our commitment to pastoral care of those who perceive themselves as victims, we invite Mr. D'Offisi and all others who feel that they are victims of abuse by Catholic clergy and religious to share their story with a competent church authority so that swift and compassionate action can be taken," the bishops' conference said in a Sept. 30 statement from Pretoria.

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