Bishops Urge Crackdown on Priests
But one past assault may be tolerated...

June 4, 2002
By Rachel Zoll, AP Religion Writer

WASHINGTON –– Roman Catholic bishops should ask the Vatican to defrock any priest caught sexually abusing a child in the future, and those who molested once in the past could continue in the ministry under certain conditions, a church panel recommended Tuesday.

Under the plan, clergymen who victimized more than one child in the past also would be removed and all such violations would have to be reported to authorities.

The proposals are in a long-awaited report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, whose plan will be put to a vote when bishops from around the country meet June 13-15 in Dallas.

The committee's report leaves the bishops open to attack from those who want a sweeping zero tolerance policy, meaning the removal of all past abusers and those caught in the future. Debate over ousting errant clergy will likely be intense at the Dallas conference.

The committee's plan contains apologies to victims and emphasizes the bishops' commitment to reform.

"The sexual abuse of children and young people by some priests and bishops, and the ways in which these crimes and sins were too often dealt with by bishops, have caused enormous pain, anger and confusion," the panel wrote.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57130-2002Jun4.html