Abuse Scandal ‘Haunts’ New Hampshire Bishop

Bishop John McCormack told parishioners Sunday that he is haunted by his part in the church sex scandal, and for the first time apparently questioned whether it could affect his future as leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester.

“These days my past haunts my present and clouds my future with you in New Hampshire,” he said at the opening of Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.

McCormack, who became bishop of New Hampshire in 1998, has been dogged for nearly a year by accusations that he failed to protect children from sexually abusive priests while he served in the Boston Archdiocese as a top deputy to Cardinal Bernard Law. Law resigned as archbishop Friday.

Last week, McCormack averted unprecedented criminal charges against the diocese of endangering children by moving abusive priests from parish to parish. As part of an agreement with state prosecutors, McCormack acknowledged that the church had harmed children by such moves.

However, McCormack tempered the remark by adding that the best way he can help alleged victims is “to serve and lead the church in New Hampshire well.”