I applaud the Press Herald for encouraging newly ordained Bishop Ruggieri to acknowledge the survivors of childhood sexual abuse by priests. Since 2021, there has been no public statement offering compassion or comfort to those who were violated. After callously ignoring and blatantly disregarding victims and their families, Bishop Deeley left a legal mess to be handled by the new guy in charge.

I understand that this problem is unthinkable, difficult to confront and a challenge to one’s faith. Still, I find it shockingly simple to accuse the paper of promoting an anti-Catholic bias. One reader, in a letter to the editor, shared that “none of us denies the egregious crimes committed by a small number of priests against children.” I thank that reader for not denying the crimes, but suggesting that it has been a small number of priests in the state of Maine is not only wishful thinking, but dishonest. Another reader suggested that we should all “take heart and be charitable.” I encourage this reader to consider the example set by Bishop Deeley. Was his non-response charitable? I think not.

To date, there has been no response from the new bishop. Continuing to turn a blind eye to the sexual crimes committed against innocent children, offering no public statement of care and concern, is disgraceful. I challenge all Catholics to encourage Bishop Ruggieri to acknowledge the many victims with his own voice rather than relegating a response to the church’s legal team.

Annie Allen
Scarborough