IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller
By Pete Sheehan
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS) — On his first day back at work
Sept. 4, Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown spoke happily of his return, but he
also addressed the somber subject of the sex abuse crisis now in the news.
In
April, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia and admitted to the Cleveland
Clinic, where he received aggressive chemotherapy for a month. After his
discharge, he received follow-up treatment and spent time resting and
recovering.
Speaking
to reporters at St. Columba Cathedral Parish Hall, Bishop Murry said he was “100
percent cancer-free” following a bone marrow scan.
He
thanked all those who supported him and provided his medical care.
“My
energy level is almost back to normal. I look forward to returning to work and
reconnecting with the people of the diocese — part time for a short time, then
later, full time,” Bishop Murry said.
The
next day, he presided at a weekly prayer service for diocesan staff at St.
Columba Cathedral that began after his diagnosis, expressing gratitude to all for
their prayers.
“Prayer
is powerful. That is what got me through,” he said.
The
bishop also thanked diocesan leaders and staff for keeping the diocese running
smoothly.
While speaking
to reporters at the Sept. 4 news conference, he addressed the recent
controversies in the clergy sex abuse scandal and calling for greater openness
in the church and promising more concrete action from the Youngstown Diocese.
Specifically,
he said the diocese would release the names of diocesan priests removed from
ministry because of a credible accusation of abuse, and he welcomed county
prosecutors in the six-county diocesan area “to review our files on
priests who have been credibly accused.”
Bishop
Murry also noted the Youngstown Diocese’s track record in dealing
compassionately with victims and acting decisively to remove priests from
ministry who face credible accusations.
On the broader
church level, he said files relating to Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick should be
“opened to a group of competent laypeople, to determine how his predatory
behavior went unreported.”
“At
the same time mechanisms must be developed to report allegations against other
bishops so that they can be adequately investigated,” he added.
In
response to a question about the “testimony” from Archbishop Carlo
Vigano, former papal nuncio to the United States, which accused Pope Francis of
covering up allegations about Archbishop McCarrick, Bishop Murry said the
letter seems to have a tone of “settling scores” and “nothing he
said is substantiated.”
He also
encouraged Pope Francis to more fully explain his position.
Bishop
Murry, taking questions about his health, expressed gratitude for all who
supported him and said the experience strengthened his faith.
He said
he was overwhelmed by the many people “who sent any cards, letters,
emails, books, prayer chains, homemade gifts and food,” citing one letter
from an 18-year-old and another from a 10-year-old girl who sent a picture of
herself and her cat and a $5 bill “to help with your medical expenses.”
He also
quipped that he might start spending more time outside the office because the
office seemed to run fine without him.
– – –
Sheehan
is the editor of The Catholic Exponent, diocesan newspaper of Youngstown.
– – –
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