Sexual abuse scandal in Bridgeport diocese
Encyclopedia
The sexual abuse scandal in Bridgeport diocese
is a significant episode in the series of Catholic sex abuse cases in the United States
.
ordered the release of thousands of legal documents from lawsuits filed against priests accused of sexually abusing children (George L. Rosado et al. v. Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation et al., (SC 17807) .
has opposed legislation by Rep. Michael P. Lawlor and Sen. Andrew J. McDonald
that would remove control of the diocese from the bishop and place it into the hands of laymen.
The legislation had been written with the help of liberal Catholics, including Connecticut attorney Thomas Gallagher
, a contributor to the group Voice of the Faithful
.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport is located in the south western part of the state of Connecticut, and its boundaries are the same as that of Fairfield County, Connecticut. There are 87 parishes in the diocese. Its cathedral is St. Augustine in Bridgeport.The current bishop is The Most...
is a significant episode in the series of Catholic sex abuse cases in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Connecticut Supreme Court decision
In May 2009, a decision by the Connecticut Supreme CourtConnecticut Supreme Court
The Connecticut Supreme Court, formerly known as the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors, is the highest court in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It consists of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven justices sit in Hartford, across the street from the Connecticut State Capitol...
ordered the release of thousands of legal documents from lawsuits filed against priests accused of sexually abusing children (George L. Rosado et al. v. Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation et al., (SC 17807) .
Archbishop Egan's legacy
Media reports have implied that investigations into the Bridgeport affairs might have a negative impact on archbishop Edward Egan's overall legacy as former pastor of the diocese.US Supreme Court decision
On October 5, 2009, the United States Supreme Court rejected a request by the Diocese to stay the Connecticut Supreme Court decision. On Nov. 2, 2009 the United States Supreme Court decided not to grant a writ of certiorari.Attempts by laypeople to take drastic measures
Bishop William E. LoriWilliam E. Lori
William E. Lori is the fourth Bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Before succeeding Edward Egan in 2001 he was an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington....
has opposed legislation by Rep. Michael P. Lawlor and Sen. Andrew J. McDonald
Andrew J. McDonald
Andrew J. McDonald is an American lawyer and politician from Connecticut. A Democrat, he served as a member of the Connecticut State Senate from 2003 to 2011, representing the state's 27th district in Stamford and Darien...
that would remove control of the diocese from the bishop and place it into the hands of laymen.
The legislation had been written with the help of liberal Catholics, including Connecticut attorney Thomas Gallagher
Thomas Gallagher
Thomas Gallagher , served as Mayor of Pittsburgh during the transition year of 1959.- Early life :Gallagher was born in Pittsburgh and started his career as a glassblower in the industrial plants of the region...
, a contributor to the group Voice of the Faithful
Voice of the Faithful
Voice of the Faithful is an organization of progressive Catholics, formed in early 2002 in response to the Catholic sex abuse cases.-Founding, growth and mission:...
.