Bishop Murry has earned community’s appreciation

Ever since the American Catholic Church was rocked to its core in 2002 by credible newspaper reports that the church’s hierarchy had covered up numerous incidents of sexual abuse of minors by priests, we have adopted a hard line against bishops and archbishops who have been identified as protecting the clergy.

Our position is that while priests who indulge in sexual abuse and pedophilia are being punished as a result of the outcry from Catholics and non-Catholics, the hierarchy has not been called to account. Some of the most influential bishops and archbishops have sought to silence the accusers of the abusive priests with monetary payoffs and to protect the priests by assigning them to other parishes.

We have often criticized the failure of those in charge to deal with this shocking scandal in an honest, open, Christian manner.

Such honesty and openness is possible — as Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has shown.

Bishop Murry, who has led the diocese since March 2007, is dealing with an ongoing sexual abuse case involving a long-time priest, the Rev. Thomas Crum, in a way that will instill confidence and faith in his leadership.

“The Diocese of Youngstown continues to be committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse,” the bishop said in a statement. “I am deeply sorry for the pain suffered by survivors of abuse due to the actions of some members of the clergy, because nothing is more important than protecting our children.”

If only other bishops and archbishops had been as forthright in acknowledging the sins of some clergymen and as heartfelt in their recognition of the physical and psychological damage done to many innocent young Catholics.

Quick action

Bishop Murry moved quickly to strip Father Crum of his right to celebrate the sacraments, wear clerical attire or present himself as a priest in good standing after the priest admitted to an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 years ago when he was on the faculty of Cardinal Mooney High School.

And, more importantly, the bishop encouraged anyone who may have experienced sexual abuse by clergy or others associated with the church to contact the diocesan victim’s assistance coordinator and to notify civil authorities. Subsequently two other allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Crum have been lodged.

While Bishop Murry has made a commitment to keep the identities of the sexual abuse victims secret, it might be beneficial to the community if some details of when the sexual abuse occurred were revealed. Father Crum was on the faculty at Cardinal Mooney from 1975-1977. The question that has arisen since the first allegation was made is this: How is it possible that the priest was able to conduct himself in such a despicable fashion without any of his colleagues knowing?

On the other hand, if there were whispers about his behavior, did anyone in authority confront him?

Bishop Murry’s initial reaction, however, should reassure Catholics and non-Catholics alike that the Youngstown diocese will not participate in a cover-up of misbehavior by the clergy.