Detroit Archdiocese Responds to Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

    DETROIT, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Ned
 McGrath, Director of Communications, Archdiocese of Detroit, issued today:
 "Although apparently shared with the news media at an event staged Wednesday
 afternoon when filed, the Archdiocese of Detroit has not yet seen the lawsuit
 in which it is named.  The approach utilized in the filing of this case does
 appear to be consistent with what SNAP and the attorneys working for them have
 employed elsewhere around the country- a class action lawsuit heightens the
 profile of the advocacy group and at the same time identifies potential
 clients.
     "As it relates to the handling of cases involving the sexual abuse of
 minors by Catholic clergy, the Detroit archdiocese signed a voluntary
 agreement with the prosecutors in southeast Michigan two years ago; according
 to civil authorities, that reporting process has worked and has worked well.
 Earlier this year, the Detroit archdiocese was further commended by the
 National Review Board subsequent to an extensive audit of its policies and
 procedures.  There is no time limit or restriction on bringing forward a
 complaint to the Detroit archdiocese.  Pastoral care is extended and, when and
 where indicated, professional counseling is provided.
     "The information shared with the Catholic households in the Detroit
 archdiocese in February, including the policy and status of current cases, the
 safe environment program, and contact numbers for reporting abuse, is posted
 on the archdiocesan web site www.aodonline.org."
 
 

SOURCE  Archdiocese of Detroit