Lesson Two: How to Handle Sexual Abuse Cases with Integrity

+Sean Rowe receives more reports of sexual abuse

from The Lead by Ann Fontaine

An update from the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of NW Pennsylvania (via email):

July 13, 2010

Since we disclosed on Sunday that Donald Davis had sexually abused girls during his tenure as bishop, I have been contacted by a number of women who wanted to tell me their stories. I do not think that it would be appropriate to disclose the exact number of women who have so far come forward, but in the interest of transparency I want to
acknowledge that I now know about the possibility of more than five additional complaints. In the days to come, I may hear from more. All of these women are in my prayers, and I ask that you include them in yours.

As I said on Sunday, our first priorities are the victims' healing and the confidentiality of our conversations with them. I am going to spend the next several weeks talking with women who come forward, and working with them on how best to foster their healing and reconciliation. At the end of the summer, or sooner if needed, I will update the people of the diocese and the public about our progress.

--The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe