By Fred Jackson
March 19, 2002

(AgapePress) - In Massachusetts, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is expected to hand over additional documents to the state attorney general today dealing with allegations of child sex abuse by priests.

It is a story that has shocked and saddened Roman Catholics across the nation. It started with the high-profile case of a former Massachusetts priest, John Goeghan, who was sentenced last month to 9-to-10 years in prison for fondling a 10-year-old boy. Out of that came reports that Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston knew for years that Geoghan was involved in such activity with young boys, and simply shifted him around from parish to parish.

Since then, Law has given local prosecutors the names of more than 80 other priests accused of sexual abuse over decades. Bishops across the country have also been forced to take action, purging their dioceses of priests who have been serving despite accusations of child abuse. The New York Times reports that since January, at least 55 priests in 17 dioceses have been removed, suspended, or forced to resign.

The expected financial cost to the Catholic Church is also mounting. In Boston alone, the diocese is talking about selling church property to help pay for settlements that could total $100 million.

Meanwhile, well-known conservative William Bennett, himself a Catholic, says any priests, including Cardinal Law, who have been involved in these sex abuse cover-ups must be removed from positions of authority.

© 2002 AgapePress all rights reserved.

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