Free Republic

Pain, outrage mark clergy abuse victims Albany-- Ex-judge listens to congregants' accounts as he devises plan to aid those injured in scandal Retired Court of Appeals Judge Howard Levine gained a new insight on devastation over the past four months after meeting with victims of clergy sex abuse and the therapists who counsel them. The emotional and physical effects are indescribable, said Levine, who was appointed by Bishop Howard Hubbard in December to create a support program for victims. "Many are hurting, too, because they've also lost their faith." Levine is working on the plan that seeks to make amends...

A man who said he was sexually abused by a priest said he got a formal church apology from Bishop Howard Hubbard. Randy Sweringen, 38, met privately with the bishop Tuesday. Sweringen was a freshman at RPI back in 1983 when he first came in contact with Father Charles Celeste. Sweringen said Celeste abused him sexually. He said after his meeting, he has recommendations for the church. He said, "The first step should be either temporary or permanent replacement of Bishop Howard Hubbard. This man who has worked so hard with the diocese and deserves much praise in his work...

The abuse allegations by Randy Sweringen first came to light last November in Troy. Sweringen said while he was a member of a fraternity at RPI in the 1980s, he was abused by Father Charles Celeste. At the time, Celeste was the fraternity chaplain and lived in the nearby rectory of St. Paul the Apostle Church. Sweringen said, "He asked me to stroke his arm on the bottom side, and then we ended up, over time, he kissed me and we would kiss for longer periods of time." Sweringen said the abuse culminated in a more serious sexual act just...