Group complains Idaho Catholic Church uses lawyer to counsel abuse victims

Boise, Idaho --

An advocacy group for victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergy has criticized Idaho's bishop, saying he didn't adequately disclose that a church official responsible for helping potential victims is also a lawyer.

Bobbi Dominick, the lawyer, has worked as the Catholic Diocese of Boise's victim assistance coordinator for children, youth and adults, as well as being the diocese's human resources director, for two years, church officials said.

The group, Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said Bishop Michael Driscoll's decision to have a lawyer work with potential victims violates the trust of those seeking help because some fear she'd share what she learns with other church lawyers to help them defend the church against potentially costly lawsuits.

"Victims need and deserve to speak with a compassionate, pastoral person, not a defense lawyer, when they're first disclosing and dealing with horrific childhood abuse and potentially dangerous predators," said David Clohessy, SNAP national director in St. Louis. "When victims call expecting to talk with a counselor or social worker, and end up with an attorney, that makes already wounded victims feel hurt and betrayed again."

Boise Catholic leaders denied deceiving those seeking help, and accused Clohessy of inaccuracy in a letter from SNAP to the diocese dated Aug. 2.

For instance, church documents identify Dominick with a "JD" — for juris doctor — to identify her as a trained lawyer.

Read the article at kgw.com Dated August 3, 2005

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