Letters to the Editor

Diocesan review board should be impartial

Regarding the article by Judge Nick Kuntz “Changes have been made in the church” (April 25):  Judge Kuntz, chair of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Review Board, repeated data that is often quoted in the media regarding the diocesan child protection efforts, but numbers alone fail to tell the real story. Judge Kuntz has been a member for more than 10 years and was on the review board at a time when the diocese was often keeping clergy in ministry despite credible allegations of abuse (ex: Robert Kelly, Thomas Brunner, etc). 

This leads me to ask:  Has this group changed in any way to ensure that these mistakes are not repeated? Child sexual abuse is a criminal offense and must never be ignored.

Why are professionals that are part of the diocesan response team, paid contractors and employees of the diocese serving on the review board? Is that not a conflict of interest to review your own work? Is it wise to have the same members on the review board year after year?

Most dioceses invite professionals with specialized expertise in treatment of offenders and victims to serve on the review board. What are the professional credentials of the current review board members?  How does the Chancellor (a canon lawyer) in his role as acting secretary impact the independent workings of the board?  

 Numbers are numbers but sharing the actual process and ensuring that it is really effective, transparent and accountable is a better way to protect children from these criminal acts.

Christi Eisenberg

Greater Cincinnati Voice of the Faithful

Posted in: Greater Cincinnati, religion


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