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CNN Live Today
Former Priest Shanley to Be Arraigned on Rape Charges
Aired May 03, 2002 - 10:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We are following another developing story this morning as well, a court hearing next hour for a retired Catholic priest, who is now charged with three counts of raping a child.
Our national correspondent, Frank Buckley, is outside the San Diego courthouse, where former priest Paul Shanley is going to be going before a judge today -- good morning, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon. Shanley will appear before a magistrate in about 90 minutes here. He will be formally notified of the fact that Massachusetts authorities are seeking him on a fugitive warrant. He will have the opportunity to wave his right to fight the extradition. If, in fact, he waives his right, as court officials expect him to do, he will then be transported back to Massachusetts as soon as Massachusetts authorities can get agents here to transport him back.
Paul Shanley was arrested here in San Diego about 24 hours ago, after television stations, WBZ from Boston and KFMB here in San Diego tracked him down. Authorities found out through the television stations where he was and sent police to out arrest him.
Shanley is the priest at the center of the priest child abuse sex scandal rocking the Boston Archdiocese. Church documents have revealed that he was transferred from parish to parish despite the fact that church officials had allegations dating back to 1967 of child molestation allegations against him. Also there were reports in the church documents that indicated that Shanley endorsed man-boy sex acts.
Earlier this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING" with Paula Zahn, one of the plaintiff's attorneys, who has been leading the civil action against the Boston Archdiocese, appeared with the father of one of the alleged victims of Father Shanley.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RODERICK MACLEISH, ATTORNEY: I think that this arrest is important, not in terms only of the clerical abuse situation, but this is a man, Rodney Ford, Paul Busa, whom I represent, Greg Ford and Paula Ford, people who live in Newton, Massachusetts, who have really taken on a powerful institution that is, unfortunately, at the leadership level, hit these pedophiles, and look what they have accomplished.
You know, people now are starting to call both the Fords and us and saying, I am now ready to come forward. This happened to me. I think it's going to be the next several months, I don't think child molesters are going to be safe, because I think they are now starting to realize that people are coming forward, and there is no place to hide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: Shanley is charged with three counts of raping a child in Massachusetts. And again, he will appear in court here in about 90 minutes -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, good deal. Thank you, Frank. We'll check back with you later on now, OK?
The Roman Catholic Church has been widely criticized for maintaining an affect of vowed silence about the sex abuse allegations against its priests. But it is worth noting that one of Father Shanley's accusers stepped forward after counseling from a nun. And earlier this morning, that same nun shared some concerns regarding Boston Archdiocese leader, Bernard Shaw -- Bernard Law, rather.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SISTER MARIE LABOLLITA, OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS: I believe the cardinal needs to really consider that resignation seriously. His leadership has been seriously compromised by all of this scandal, and I think that needs to be deeply considered, both by the cardinal and by the Vatican. I think they need to take the voice of the people very seriously, especially in this crisis. I think the Vatican needs to move definitely more swiftly on this issue and to bring into play many voices who have the experience in this field, as well as to bring into consideration a lot of the victims and the families of abuse, because they are so closely connected with this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: We will have live coverage of the Shanley hearing just over an hour from now. We expect that to begin at 11:30 Eastern, 8:30 a.m. Pacific this morning. My apologies to my colleague, Bernie Shaw for that slipup there.
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