Top U.S. Bishop Accused of Sex Abuse

[Tab]

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman has filed a claim that she was sexually abused more than 40 years ago by Bishop William Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops and leader of the Spokane Diocese.

Skylstad issued a statement Wednesday categorically denying the accusation, saying he has not violated the vow of celibacy he took 47 years ago.

The claim was filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Dec. 27 by a woman who said she was under the age of 18 when Skylstad sexually abused her at St. Patrick's Parish and at Gonzaga University from December 1961 to December 1964.

Skylstad was a student at Gonzaga University from 1962-1966 and taught mathematics to students at Mater Cleri Seminary at Colbert, north of Spokane.
...
The woman's claim was filed as a result of the bankruptcy "proof of claims" process, the diocese said.

Victims of clergy sexual abuse have until Friday to file claims. Greg Arpin, an attorney representing the diocese, said there were a total of 135 claims as of Wednesday morning, including the original 75 who would be covered by the settlement.

The woman's claim was first reported Wednesday by the Spokesman-Review newspaper of Spokane.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060308/ap_on_re_us/church_abuse_spokane

[Benhurst]

1. I'm shocked. Shocked. Round up the usual suspects. NT

[blm]

2. I'm not so sure about this - there's alot of RW clergy out to get Skylstad

since he ordered strict reviews of child-molestation cases and urged moderation during the 2004 election when the RW bishops were refusing communion to "Kerry Catholics" and they even demanded Kerry be excommunicated for supporting abortion rights and gay civil unions.

[Harper_is_Bush]

3. Will the Pope send another letter asking that THIS crime be covered up?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x54088

[Gman]

4. I doubt there is ANY crime here to cover up

sounds more like a "me too" claim than anything else. 45 years ago: who can disprove what she claims? It's asking the bishop to prove a negative. This whole scandal coming out 20 years ago. Why now, 25 more years later?

[Harper_is_Bush]

5. Well, that's a bit of an assumption on your part...

and you have a partial understanding of sex abuse if you point at a delay to reporting time as evidence that the abuse never happened. Often victims withold it for many years.

The Bishop can't be judged by the actions of others of course, but I can not help mentioning the illegal actions of the Pope in a case like this.

[madeline_con]

6. "... a total of 135 claims as of Wednesday..." n/t

[f-bush]

7. Don't kid yourselves....

there's just as much sexual abuse if not more among fundy clergy and church staff!

[drhilarius]

8. Things to give up for Lent...

1)Meat
2)Sweets
3)fucking children.

[anitar1]

9. I just read in Ondy News tomight that over 100 priests

in Dublin, Ireland have been rounded up ,with more under investigation.According to the article, it looks like the Church in Ireland may end up bankrupt before long. Seems the church was a little slow in their investigation s , so the authorities have taken over the investigation. Fun time may be over, boys. edit spelling.

[saigon68]

10. And apparently

4) Pawing the private parts of young women