Statement Regarding Criminal
Investigation of MA Bishop

For More Information:

Massacussetts SNAP leaders

Springfield: Peter Pollard 413 335 9969 cell, 413 247 9539, 413 524 8442
Boston area: Dr. Ann Hagan Webb 781 239 1182
Bill Gately 508 524 4179
Phil Saviano 617 983 5075

Thursday, March 4, 2004

Statement by SNAP National Director David Clohessy of St. Louis
314 566 9790

We are very pleased that a Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett is treating an abusive bishop just like any other abuser. We hope other DAs will be inspired by his example and apply the same standards to anyone from any walk of life who molests kids.

We also hope that this step provides at least a small measure of justice and comfort to those who Bishop Dupre betrayed and hurt.

Our hearts go out, first and foremost, to Dupre's victims. We also feel for other clergy sex abuse victims who have suffered under Dupre's tenure in the Springfield Diocese. Finally, we ache for the Catholics in western Massachusetts who must also feel terribly decieved and betrayed.

And we are grateful not only to these brave victims, but also to Fr. Jim Scahill and others who provided support to them as they struggled with the difficult decision to come forward. This case shows that when those who have been wounded are treated with genuine compassion, they can find the strength to contact law enforcement and that sometimes, justice can be done and children can be safeguarded.

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Prosecutor to pursue sex abuse case against retired bishop

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (AP)

A prosecutor said Thursday he will pursue sex abuse charges against retired Springfield Bishop Thomas Dupre, who has been accused of abusing two boys decades ago while he was a parish priest.

If a grand jury indicts him, Dupre would become the first bishop charged in the sex scandal that engulfed the Roman Catholic church two years ago. There have been at least a dozen grand jury investigations involving bishops.

Dupre, 70, stepped down February 11, citing health reasons. His retirement came a day after The Republican newspaper of Springfield confronted Dupre with the past abuse allegations.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press