The editorial in today's New York Times, “Victims of
Priests' Abuse Face a Choice,” must be challenged on several counts. Its
principal focus is the new initiative by the Archdiocese of New York,
the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program. This program is
designed to deal fairly with claims of clergy sexual abuse.
The editorial says “the program is confidential.” It is important to emphasize that if someone requests confidentiality, the archdiocese will respect it, but it is also true that under the provisions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, it has no authority to require it. Of course, the archdiocese is not going to publicize information on these matters on its website, but that is not the same as requiring claimants to sign a confidentiality agreement. That will not happen.
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/bill-donohue/2016/10/17/new-york-times-wrong-cardinal-dolan
The editorial says “the program is confidential.” It is important to emphasize that if someone requests confidentiality, the archdiocese will respect it, but it is also true that under the provisions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, it has no authority to require it. Of course, the archdiocese is not going to publicize information on these matters on its website, but that is not the same as requiring claimants to sign a confidentiality agreement. That will not happen.
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/bill-donohue/2016/10/17/new-york-times-wrong-cardinal-dolan
