ASU prof (former priest and former Yale prof) resigns over past sex abuse

[TexasTowelie]

Jaime Lara, a professor of medieval and Renaissance studies at Arizona State University, resigned after it was discovered that he was a defrocked priest who had been accused of sexually abusing minors years ago.

The Dioceses of Brooklyn released a statement saying that Lara, who was ordained as the Rev. James Lara in 1973, was removed from active ministry in 1992. Other former priests were also named.

The disclosure appears to be the first time the diocese has formally acknowledged the names of priests laicized, or defrocked, for child sexual abuse. At least five people who say they were abused by Lara have applied for compensation.

Lara is accused of sexually abusing three children ranging from 9 to 11 years old at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn between 1979 to 1981.

Read more: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/asu-prof-resigns-over-past-sex-abuse/article_8a9cb358-ce38-11e7-b36d-0b58a974d703.html

The professor appears to have recovered from the allegations and lived a comfortable life. I wonder if the same can be said for the children that made the accusations?

[saidsimplesimon]

1. Thank you, TexasTowelie

Shame on ASU and the Catholic Church, will the Pope join US?

[TexasTowelie]

2. I don't know if ASU knew about the accusations when he was hired.

However, the cover-up by the Catholic Church in all of the sexual assault suits was self-serving and allowed too many sex offenders to escape punishment. Being forced to resign at this point of his career can hardly be called punishment.

[saidsimplesimon]

3. Vetting? These are

academics capable of doing a search? A resignation is better than an endorsement, imo.

[TexasTowelie]

4. I doubt that there is anyone at the Catholic Church entering these incidents in a database

(or at least a publicly accessible database). Seeing that the accusations are from decades ago I could also understand why they might not be in a police database either.

I doubt that either Yale or ASU would have received any information from the RCC if they tried. If a former employer does make a statement to a prospective employer then they could be sued for defamation. The way most prospective employers gain a clue about employee behavior and character is that they will ask the former employer, "Would you rehire this person if he applies again."

If the assaults weren't reported to law enforcement and the children wished to remain anonymous, then I don't know how they could do further vetting beyond sending someone to interview the parishioners of the church. While a few may have heard the rumors, the chances of contacting anyone with that knowledge are slim. The FBI, CIA and other security organizations do undergo that type of vetting, but most private employers do not because of the expense.

[saidsimplesimon]

5. Your points are valid.

However, public institutions should not wait for the timid voice of complaint before doing their own internal review. imo