Bishop James Moynihan of Syracuse, NY, released his diocese’s audit of sex abuse, but remained adamant he would never release the names of priests found guilty of sex abuse. (I think he means those found guilty by the Church’s investigation but not criminally charged. Criminal charges are public records in any case.)
Moynihan’s reason? He says the Eight Commandment—“Thou shalt not bear false witness”—forbids it. He said that in addition to forbidding lying, the commandment also forbids revealing a person’s “hidden faults.” Hidden faults? Hidden from whom? Certainly not from the victim of abuse. Also, a priest’s vow of celibacy is a public act before the whole Church. Wouldn’t his violation of the same also be a public act?
