There’s no mystery to handling sex-abuse cases
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Re “Archdiocese Says It Didn’t Shield Kids From Priests,” Oct. 12
I read this appalling article with great interest. The most startling statement was by the church’s attorney, J. Michael Hennigan: The documents “show men of good will and intelligence struggling” with how to handle sexual abuse. I have been in law enforcement since 1974 and now serve as a police lieutenant. I know how I was trained as a young officer and continue to train young officers -- suspected sexual abuse is reported to the police and the Department of Children and Family Services. A vigorous investigation is promptly conducted.
If the initial investigation shows the complaint has merit, at-risk children are quickly removed from a location where an abuser has access to them. Finally, child molesters are prosecuted and should go to prison for a long time.
Perhaps the “struggling men of good will” thought that such standards didn’t apply to members of the Catholic clergy? What a sad and self-serving statement.
CHRIS KELLER
Covina
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