I am sure that the front page story from the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin didn't please the bishop and leaders of the DCNY. The reason this story won't go away is because the DCNY has not yet adequately dealt with it. The man seen being led away in handcuffs on WBNG-TV last night is accused of molesting a number of boys. Another one came forward which led to the arrest of the former rector of St. Paul's, Owego.
When Fr. David Bollinger reported the accusations that he had received about Fr. Ralph Johnson to the bishop of the DCNY he was basically told to shut up. That has been the stance of the bishop ever since this sad episode began. He has claimed at times that he didn't have enough evidence to proceed, but when has he actually gone looking for the evidence that has come out since the first allegations were made known to him? Instead of looking into the allegations he has chosen to persecute Fr. David Bollinger, the whistle blower. This is unconscionable.
The DCNY investigated how this matter was handled, a report was issued, and the diocese has fought like mad to deep six the report. It is time for the Shafer Report to be made public. It is time for the DCNY to stop looking the other way about sexual misconduct charges. It is time that the DCNY take responsibility for the issues from the past that will not go away until they are adequately dealt with.
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