Mike Gousha Interviews Archbishop Dolan

On UPFRONT with Mike Gousha, Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan addressed the most recent revelations about the Church and the sexual abuse scandal in the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

Newly-released documents are raising questions about a possible cover-up by the Milwaukee Archdiocese years ago, and there is renewed debate over opening a window for more lawsuits against priests. A proposed state law would give past victims of sexual abuse, in cases where the statute of limitations has expired, a three-year window to file a lawsuit.

I don't see how anyone can claim that Archbishop Dolan is PART of the cover-up. That's entirely unfair and flat-out false.

He speaks so openly about the scandal. Dolan was so candid in the interview. He understands how difficult it is for the "brave victim survivors," "Catholic people," and the "faithful and loyal priests" -- their shame and suffering.

Dolan said, "It's just a tough time to be a Catholic."

He condemns how cases of sexual abuse by clergy were handled by the Church decades ago. He's not an apologist. He makes no attempt to deny the situation. In short, he's taking responsibility and wants to continue to make progress in remedying the situation.

Dolan readily admits, "This wasn't handled right."

He says, "Boy, when I look back, I just keep thinking, 'How could you do that, you know, when you knew what this man (Franklyn Becker) had done?' "

When Gousha asked about people using the word "cover-up" to describe the actions of the Church, Dolan said, "I hope that people aren't using the word 'cover-up' now... If the word 'cover-up' has been used in the past, I'm just hoping that it cannot and will not be used now. And that's about the only thing that I can do something about, Mike, is the 'now.' "

Exactly.

Dolan said that the Becker case was "particularly hideous in that it was repeat. He's not the only one. I wish he were."

Dolan certainly isn't mincing words or hiding.

He spoke out against the proposed legislation to remove the statute of limitations. He said the truth is already coming out and victims are coming forward.

He said that this legislation isn't going to "land anybody in jail."

Dolan said:

I kind of wish sometimes, Mike, we would talk about the criminal part of it, that they'd like to go after some of those offenders. I'd chip in on the handcuffs for that.

No, what this is talking about is not going after the offenders, not putting the guilty people in jail, but suing the Catholic Church today for things that were done by a tiny minority three decades ago. I don't see where that is going to accomplish the laudable goal of bringing this to light and truth.

It's ridiculous for anyone to suggest that Dolan is avoiding the truth about what happened. Moreover, he's not being dishonest about the impact that the scandal will have on the financial future of the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

I think Archbishop Dolan is handling this horrible situation incredibly well. He's an inspiration.
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Watch the interview.