LI bishop addresses sex abuse issue in Easter homily

Bishop William Murphy devoted a few minutes of his Easter homily to mounting allegations of Pope Benedict XVI's role in protecting priests accused of sex abuse, calling on the Catholic Church to "remove this filth from the church."

As he delivered his remarks at the Easter Mass in St. Agnes Cathedral, a small group of demonstrators across the street in Rockville Centre called for his resignation.

Before a congregation of about 1,500, the head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre acknowledged that recent news accounts are "calling our Holy Father into question," a reference to Benedict's actions as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Murphy said he believes the diocese "has already borne much fruit" in its effort to confront the "horrific, terrible reality of sex abuse." He also directed parishioners to a statement on the diocese's Web site that expresses support for the pope and empathy for sex abuse victims.

Before and after the morning service, about 10 people demonstrated outside, holding signs - one said "Sexual abuse of little boys and girls is soul murder" - and handing out literature.

The demonstrators, some of them members of Voice of the Faithful, a group that advocates on behalf of sex abuse victims, accused Murphy of shielding clergy members who have been implicated.

"Why were they covering up the sexual abuse of children to promote the image of the church?" said one demonstrator, Tim Walsh of Huntington.

Murphy did not speak to reporters after the conclusion of the Mass. His secretary, Msgr. Robert Morrissey, who participated in the Mass, declined to comment.

Outside, some churchgoers said they felt Murphy's comments were appropriate.

"Absolutely, let everyone know what's going on," said Teddy Jean-Bart, 27, of Levittown. "If no one speaks out, how will they be heard?"

Some said they were offended by the actions of the demonstrators, who offered literature decrying sex abuse to parishioners as they filed in and out of the cathedral. Police said there were no incidents between demonstrators and churchgoers.

Brian Mannix, 31, of Rockville Centre said he found the demonstrating "inappropriate," but added that his "prayers go out to them."

The demonstrators, who described their actions as a "vigil," set up outside St. Agnes on the first Sunday of every month. The group included upstate resident Richard Tollner, 51, who claims he was sexually molested as a teenager by Msgr. Alan Placa, a former high-ranking priest in the diocese.

Placa was cleared by the Vatican last year.

"The bishops have turned their backs on legitimate cases," Tollner said of the church's handling of sex abuse.

Inside St. Agnes, the crowd was silent for most of Murphy's remarks, but cheered when he said the church had "the best choir in the United States."