RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, CAMBRIA COUNTY - Friends and families of Bishop McCort come together for answers about what's going on in their school.
Just one week ago a lawyer representing some of the victims of Brother Stephen Baker filed a lawsuit against Bishop McCort and other local catholic institutions. Brother Baker worked at Bishop McCort several years ago. Earlier this year former, McCort students came forward and said Baker molested them while they were students.
Friday the McCort Board of Trustees announced Principal Ken Salem was on administrative leave, but they didn't say why. Parents and alumni say Salem has nothing to do with this tragedy and feel like he's being made into a scapegoat.
Monday night many of those people got together to organize into a new group, "The Friends and Families of Bishop McCort."
Bishop McCort student Ryan Eckenrod spoke to a packed house telling them he and his classmates love Principal Salem because he loves their school and is completely passionate about Bishop McCort. He said, "no one else bleeds red and gold like Mr. Salem does."
He and his classmates realize what happened is a tragedy. But he feels told the crowd taking Principal Salem out of Bishop McCort is making things worse, because it is taking away a leader they trust to lead them through this troubling time.
Tim Burns organized this meeting, and knows some of the victims. He says they don't blame Salem, because Salem didn't hire Baker. Burns does want to know who did.
The Friends and Families of Bishop McCort plans to officially incorporate later this week and they hope to get a meeting with both the board of trustees.
Just one week ago a lawyer representing some of the victims of Brother Stephen Baker filed a lawsuit against Bishop McCort and other local catholic institutions. Brother Baker worked at Bishop McCort several years ago. Earlier this year former, McCort students came forward and said Baker molested them while they were students.
Friday the McCort Board of Trustees announced Principal Ken Salem was on administrative leave, but they didn't say why. Parents and alumni say Salem has nothing to do with this tragedy and feel like he's being made into a scapegoat.
Monday night many of those people got together to organize into a new group, "The Friends and Families of Bishop McCort."
Bishop McCort student Ryan Eckenrod spoke to a packed house telling them he and his classmates love Principal Salem because he loves their school and is completely passionate about Bishop McCort. He said, "no one else bleeds red and gold like Mr. Salem does."
He and his classmates realize what happened is a tragedy. But he feels told the crowd taking Principal Salem out of Bishop McCort is making things worse, because it is taking away a leader they trust to lead them through this troubling time.
Tim Burns organized this meeting, and knows some of the victims. He says they don't blame Salem, because Salem didn't hire Baker. Burns does want to know who did.
The Friends and Families of Bishop McCort plans to officially incorporate later this week and they hope to get a meeting with both the board of trustees.
Comments
It is always hurtful when the public supports someone who could have covered up abuse rather than thinking of the children especially when they have children of their own. I hope this public support of the principal doesn't frighten victims and witnesses from speaking up. As a victim of childhood abuse myself. I know how hard it can be to come forward. SNAPvirginia@cox.net
becky b.
March 5, 2013 at 3:56 pm
It is always hurtful when the public supports someone who could have covered up abuse rather than thinking of the children especially when they have children of their own. I hope this public support of the principal doesn't frighten victims and witnesses from speaking up. As a victim of childhood abuse myself. I know how hard it can be to come forward. SNAPvirginia@cox.net
becky b.
March 5, 2013 at 3:49 pm
