NY Bishop Says Laity Are ‘Essential’ to Lead Investigation into Clergy Abuse

The bishop of Albany, NY, has criticized proposed clerical solutions to the recent revelations of sex abuse reaching as high as a U.S. cardinal, insisting that the laity must be in charge of investigations.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Catholic Diocese of Albany released a statement this week calling for a lay-led inquiry into scandals involving former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who ran the archdiocese of Washington, DC, from 2001-2006.

“I think we have reached a point where bishops alone investigating bishops is not the answer,” Bishop Scharfenberger declared. “To have credibility, a panel would have to be separated from any source of power whose trustworthiness might potentially be compromised.”

As each day passes, “we learn that the former Cardinal not only perpetrated abuse against minors but also against subordinates including priests, seminarians, and members of the laity,” states a recent letter from another U.S. bishop.

As revelations of further homosexual abuse spanning decades have emerged, the question has shifted to who enabled former Cardinal McCarrick, who benefited from his influence, and who knew of his actions and failed to act.

“While I am heartened by my brother bishops proposing ways for our Church to take action in light of recent revelations,” Scharfenberger states, such proposals simply do not go far enough.

“It is time for us, I believe, to call forth the talents and charisms of our lay faithful, by virtue of their baptismal priesthood,” he wrote. “Our lay people are not only willing to take on this much-needed role, but they are eager to help us make lasting reforms that will restore a level of trust that has been shattered yet again.”

Lay Catholic leadership in the investigation is key, he said. “They are essential to the solution we seek.”

Getting down to brass tacks, the bishop laid out a specific proposal, which has met with enthusiastic approval on social media and beyond.

“What is needed now is an independent commission led by well-respected, faithful lay leaders who are beyond reproach, people whose role on such a panel will not serve to benefit them financially, politically, or personally,” Scharfenberger said.

“These will be people with a deep understanding of the Catholic faith, but without an axe to grind or an agenda to push. It will not be easy, but it will be worth every ounce of effort, energy, and candor we can muster,” he said.

“We bishops want to rise to this challenge, which may well be our last opportunity considering all that has happened,” he said. “We must get this right. I am confident we can find a way to look outside ourselves, to put this in the hands of the Holy Spirit, and to entrust our very capable lay people, who have stood with us through very difficult times, to help us do the right thing.”

“We need an investigation — the scope of which is not yet defined but must be defined — and it must be timely, transparent and credible,” he said.

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