Prometheus 6

How much you want to bet Foley never names his 'abuser"? 

Victim Advocates, Fla. Diocese Urge Foley to Name Alleged Abuser
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 7, 2006; A06

The Roman Catholic diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., and national advocacy groups for victims of sexual abuse called yesterday for former representative Mark Foley (R-Fla.) to give police the name of the clergyman who allegedly abused him as a teenager.

"He should absolutely report the perpetrator, living or dead," said David Clohessy, national director of the 7,000-member Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. "He should do it now, not when his civil lawyer says it is convenient. Every day that a molester walks free is a day when he can hurt other kids."

Foley's attorney, David Roth, told reporters Tuesday that the former congressman, who was raised as a Catholic, was molested by a clergyman when he was 13 to 15 years old. But Roth did not name the clergyman, and Palm Beach police said they have not received any report of the abuse.

Alexis Walkenstein, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach diocese, said Foley has not reported the abuse to local Catholic Church officials, either.

"It would be inappropriate to comment, because at this time we've only heard a vague allegation. If Mr. Foley was abused within the Catholic Church, we would encourage him to report it to law enforcement," she said.