Religion

Ohio archdiocese pleads no contest in abuse cases, fined $10,000

CINCINNATI - The Archdiocese of Cincinnati pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of failing to tell authorities about sex abuse allegations against priests, becoming the third Roman Catholic diocese to strike a deal with prosecutors in a criminal investigation.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Richard Niehaus fined the archdiocese $10,000 on five misdemeanor counts.

With Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk representing the church, prosecutor Mike Allen read the five counts of failure to report a felony aloud in court. Each regarded "an institutional knowledge that certain felony sex crimes involving minors occurred."

Asked by the judge if he understood the implications of the plea agreement, Pilarczyk replied, "Yes sir, I do."

Later, at a news conference, the archbishop apologized to abuse victims, adding: "I am taking full responsibility for certain acts that occurred some time ago. Instances of child abuse that should have been reported to civil authorities were apparently not reported."

The no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but means the archdiocese will not fight the charges.

Allen said under the agreement the archdiocese will institute reporting safeguards stronger than those required by Ohio law and establish a $3-million fund to compensate abuse victims, including those who cannot sue because the statute of limitations had expired.

Christy Miller, a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the archdiocese and a priest, said she was dissatisfied. "They didn't admit to anything," Miller said. "They didn't apologize for anything. They still aren't accountable for anything. They still are operating under a veil of secrecy."

But Jeff Anderson, a St. Paul, Minn., victims' attorney, said the deal is a positive step in addressing a nationwide crisis.

"One of the things that has been absent is criminal accountability," he said. "One of the laments of the survivors across the country is the hierarchy's repeated escape from responsibility and accountability."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright