Jan 11, 2006 8:41 pm US/Central
Bishop Says Priest Abused Him As Child
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
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Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
AP
An American bishop revealed Wednesday that he was touched inappropriately by a priest 60 years ago, saying he waited to discuss the abuse when he thought it would do the most good.
Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, who wants sex abuse victims to be given more time to sue the Roman Catholic church, is believed to be the first U.S. bishop to disclose that he was a victim of sexual abuse by clergy.
Bishop Gumbleton told the CBS Evening News anchor Bob Schieffer that it was difficult for him to disclose the information.
"I tend to be quite a private person and I don't like to talk about things like this, and yet, at this particular instance, it seemed that it could be helpful. I have been in touch with many victims. I know how important it was to them," he said.
Gumbleton, 75, spoke Wednesday in support of an Ohio bill that would remove time limits that have prevented past victims from suing the church over their alleged abuse. Some perpetrators have not yet been exposed, and the only way to ensure they are is through the courts, he said.
Ohio bishops have agreed with extending the time limits for future abuse cases but have vigorously lobbied against a provision allowing a one-year window for victims to sue over abuse that happened up to 35 years ago.
"I regret that we need this type of legislation, but I insist we do need it," Gumbleton said before meeting with lawmakers who are undecided on the bill.
Gumbleton serves in the Archdiocese of Detroit, the fifth-largest in the United States with about 1.5 million Catholics in six Michigan counties.
Gumbleton said he was a seminary student in Detroit when a priest took him and other boys to a cabin northeast of the city. The priest started wrestling with him playfully, then put his hand down Gumbleton's pants. Gumbleton removed himself from the situation, he said.
"I was able to escape a terrible trauma," he said.
He said he understood why some victims never brought lawsuits within legal time limits after reaching age 18, which are two to five years in most states.
"I have an awareness that I think some other people might not have. They would say, of course, 'you could have brought this forward 20 years ago,' but I think I have some understanding of why they didn't, and why at this point, they ought to have the opportunity to do it," he told CBS News.
Gumbleton said he'd thought about bringing up the incident at meetings of bishops, but the timing wasn't right. The slowing down of Ohio's bill, which unanimously passed the Senate, prompted him to come forward.
"It seemed to be a very timely moment to do it, because I could make a difference for the victims," he said.
(© 2006 CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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