A Bishop Speaks about Sexual Abuse

Bishop Joseph Imesch, soon to be retired bishop of Joliet Illinois, spoke out (sort of, he was compelled to testify under oath in a deposition) on the sexual abuse of a 14 year old girl by one of his priests. When questioned why he didn’t go to the police when he first learned of the accusation, he stated that he wasn’t going to do that because he didn’t have enough information. When pressed on the issue, he stated he didn’t know who to tell. Finally, he gave the same, lame excuse his brother prelates have given: years ago, church officials didn’t know about sexual abuse. His excuses and rationalizations didn’t change the fact that a 14 year old girl was raped by a Catholic priest.