Diocese shunning forums
Catholic leader says abuse group activist plans suit, creating conflict of interest

Carla K. Johnson
Spokesman-Review Staff writer

The Spokane Catholic Diocese is discouraging its parishes from holding informational forums with a local support group for victims of clergy abuse.

The diocese's attorney advised against the forums because of Michael Ross' plans to file a civil lawsuit against the diocese, said the Rev. Steve Dublinski, the diocese's vicar general.

"Mike Ross has a conflict of interest, so holding such a forum would be inappropriate," Dublinski said. Ross plans to sue the diocese, Dublinski said, "and we have received a draft copy of that lawsuit."

Ross is a co-founder of the Spokane chapter of the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests. He has been calling parishes on behalf of the victims group seeking one that will agree to hold a forum.

Ross declined to comment on whether he is contemplating a suit.

The victims group has received more than 800 e-mails in recent weeks, Ross said.

"We can't answer them all," he said. "We'd like to have a forum where people can ask questions and we can answer them."

The victims group also would like to build coalitions with parishioners interested in how the diocese is handling the issue.

"Parishioners can no longer be innocent bystanders and turn their blind eye to this issue," said Molly Harding, also a co-founder of the local victims group. "I'd like to ask them, `What would you do if this were your son or daughter"' who was a victim?

Ross said he began calling parishes Friday and has contacted 20 since then. None has agreed, although two showed some interest. On Tuesday, one parish leader told him of an e-mail he'd received from Dublinski advising against the forums.

Dublinski said if Ross weren't involved the diocese might take a different stance toward the forums.

He said the diocese has held its own forums at three parishes. He said parishioners with questions can call him or Bishop William Skylstad or the diocese assistance coordinator, Gene DiRe.

"We're answering those types of questions all the time," Dublinski said. "That's part of what I'm there for."

The diocese is named in three lawsuits involving priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors who are now adults. Victims and attorneys say more lawsuits are coming.

Last week, Skylstad released the names of six accused priests who have been removed from the ministry or resigned. The diocese also filed reports on allegations against priests with the Spokane Police Department. Police reports also were filed on allegations against six deceased priests.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

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