Detroit Archdiocese on Abuse Claim by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of
 Detroit, says he is always disheartened whenever he hears of a claim of clergy
 sexual abuse, and is especially saddened by the report that Bishop Thomas
 Gumbleton, a Detroit auxiliary bishop, was apparently a victim himself many
 years ago.  "The Detroit archdiocese was never made aware of this," Cardinal
 Maida says.
     As it relates to Bishop Gumbleton's remarks on how these cases are
 handled, Msgr. Ricardo Bass, Cardinal Maida's delegate for clergy matters,
 notes there is no time limit on a person bringing forward a complaint to the
 archdiocese.  "Bishop Gumbleton's experience is indeed regrettable," says
 Msgr. Bass, "and, no doubt, it frames his personal opinion on this matter.  As
 we would with any person in his situation, the archdiocese stands by its
 commitment to provide counseling assistance as needed."  Regarding the statute
 of limitations, Msgr. Bass adds, "it has served our society well in protecting
 the rights of everyone, especially after a long passage of time.
     "As we do on our web site and weekly in our archdiocesan newspaper, the
 archdiocese invites those who want to come forward with a complaint of clergy
 sexual abuse to do so," continues Msgr. Bass.  "The Victim Assistance
 Coordinator can be contacted at any time via a toll-free phone number --
 (866) 343-8055.  And, on www.AODonline.org , in the section titled 'Promise to
 Protect. Pledge to Heal,' there is additional contact information, as well as
 resources on child-safe environment programs now underway in the archdiocese."
 
 

SOURCE  Archdiocese of Detroit