NH OUTLOOK, Wednesday, 3/27/2002
script iconPreshow script iconIntro Mt. Washington
script iconHello script iconMt. Washington
script iconIntro McCormack script iconTomorrow
script iconMcCormack Bite script iconGoodnight
script iconTag McCormack script iconfounders
script iconIntro Innocence script iconThurs. am kids
script iconInnocence pt 3 script iconwebsite
script iconIntro discussion script icondrought
script iconrest of week script iconTroy Troubles
script iconState Budget script iconkey: state government / politics
script iconRight to know script iconkey: religion / ethics
script iconrt to know SOT script iconkey: religion / ethics
script icontag rt to know script iconThurs. pm adults
script iconBusiness Outlook script iconWEB PROMO
script iconWall Street Stocks script iconPrevention interview
script iconNH Stocks  


script iconPreshow
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Next on New Hampshire Outlook.
Innocence Lost. Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church. Tonight our focus is on prevention.
script iconHello
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Hello I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconIntro McCormack
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Manchester Diocese Bishop John McCormack is publicly speaking about the current crisis facing the Catholic Church.
Wednesday, Bishop McCormack spoke to me about the charges filed against him in a Massachusetts civil case.
script iconMcCormack Bite
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Bishop McCormack responds to the lawsuit filed against him.
script iconTag McCormack
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Bishop McCormack told me he would do things much differently now. We'll hear more from him during a special half hour edition of Outlook on Friday.
script iconIntro Innocence
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Many of the recently published allegations of abuse against priests happened years ago.
Does that mean anything has changed?
What programs are there now in place to protect children?
We explore these questions and more in part three of our week-long series, Innocence Lost.

script iconInnocence pt 3
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Priests Part 3
Sacco clip 7-18:10 Ally: "What was taken away from you by Geoghan? Trust was the main thing. Any thoughts of religion was taken from me. Being close to people was taken from me."
Narr - It's been thirty years since the abuse began. Jim Sacco was twelve and an alter boy for John Geoghan.
Sacco clip 6-23:10 "Everyone thought he was a wonderful guy. He came in and got the church up and running and got these activities going."
Narr - In the early 1960's, John Geoghan was a priest here at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Saugus, Massachusetts. It's where Jim, his four brothers and sister received their first communion. For years, Geoghan abused all six of the Sacco children and many more. Yet they kept it a secret from each other.
Sacco clip 7-1:05 "You didn't want anyone to know what was happening, so you would put on a front that nothing was happening."
Narr - And it stayed that way for many years.
Sacco clip 7-28:17 Ally "Father geoghan was at your wedding. What was that like or how odd was that? It was very, very hard. Ally: Do you remember what he said, or what you said? No, I mean he just rattled on about something in his very charismatic way and all I can remember is him looking at him and I couldn't see any whites of his eyes at all just like his closed, semi-closed eyes and it was just really scary, I was just frightened.
Narr - The silence ended in 1996. It happened when Jim's brother saw a newspaper article claiming other allegations against Geoghan. The church settled with the family out of court.
Sacco clip 6-26:30 "In a sense I guess I was glad to discuss it with somebody to acknowledge that it happened but on the other hand it was kind of sad to think that it happened to all of us and in retrospect it didn't really make sense to think it was just happening to me but as a kid that was what I would think, and it happened to many kids, which is very unfortunate."
Cardinal Law apologizes
Narr - Cardinal Law of the Boston Archdiocese recently made an apology to all the victims, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church. But sexual abuse has no denominational boundaries.
Sounds of service at South Congregational
Craig clip 10:30 " I think it's something that were all keenly aware of and Protestants certainly have their share of this. No faith community, no community that works with children is going to be immune to."
Narr - Craig MacCreary is the pastor of the South Congregational Church in Newport, NH. There, church members have been working on a prevention program called Safer Spaces.
Craig clip 1:50 "It's an attempt to be proactive not to be at the mercy or reality of sexual abuse and pedophilia, but really to get at out ahead of the curve in a way that will protect children."
Narr - Even though there have been no reports of abuse at the church, members are not taking any chances. The Safe Spaces committee meets regularly to talk.
sound of group
Craig clip 9:00 "The reality is that folks in general don't like to talk about sexuality, that's a tough thin to talk about and this kind of raises all kinds of scary things for folks and fortunately we were blessed with some people who had a lot of experience, a social worker, a person who was employed with women's supportive services, helped us through that."
Sound of Kerry
Kerry clip 17:50 " Parents need they need this information, they need to know why we need to talk about this, this is such a tough subject and I think our natural, our human defense is, that doesn't happen here."
Narr - Kerry Rochford-Hague is a church member and an educator at the Women's Supportive Services of Sullivan County.
Kerry clip 18:45 "I think that our defenses is that I can't even think about that, I can't even think that that could be my kid or the kid who is sitting next to me and in church on Sunday. We have to think about break down the barriers and help people be open to this information so they will then have a heightened awareness and wouldn't be likely to be willing to say oh, it's okay for my child to be alone with this person, but they would realize that as sad as it is we have to keep our guard up and that's unfortunate that we do, but that's the reality of the society today."
Narr - Some of the key components to Safer Spaces include: No known sex offenders will work with children. Two responsible adults will always be present in youth groups. Doors will be open whenever possible. Parents will be responsible for picking up children after church activities. The church will conduct careful recruitment, supervision and training for all workers.
Finkelhor clip 24:30 "The good news is that data suggests that abuse is on the decline."
Narr - Dr. David Finkelhor is a professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire. He's also an expert on sexual abuse.
Finkelhor clip 24:35 " There has been a 40% percent decline in sexual abuse substantiations over the last decade and I believe it's a result of this process of actually giving children and their families this information about sexual abuse, being more aggressive in rooting it out and prosecuting and treating these individuals who commit these kinds of crimes. By doing more of this we can actually reduce the problem."
Kerry clip 22:00 "If something positive can come out of something that is really so sad for so many children and so many families, and so many adults, that maybe people will say wow, we really need to talk about this. We can't keep our blinders on, even though that might feel safer, we have to talk about it."
Narr - And, says Pastor MacCleary, churches of all denominations need to better understand their new roles and responsibilities.
Craig clip "This sanctuary is an institution based on forgiveness. With what's been happening it needs to become a place where children can be protected as well."
Narr - There's a similar program underway in the Catholic Church. And, it started here in Chicago.
Shots of city
Bemi clip 12:50 Protecting God's Children deals with not only pedophilia but sexual misconduct."
Narr - Michael Bemi is the president and CEO of The National Catholic Risk Retention Group. They're an insurance provider for dozens of dioceses around the country. One of the pilot studies for Protecting God's Children was conducted in Manchester.
Bemi clip 21:21
Father Arsenault clip 2:40 "We've used it principally to train school personnel and we're preparing now to train our parish personnel all totaling 2,500."
Narr - Father Ed Arsenault is the Chancellor at the Diocese of Manchester and is a board member of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group.
Arsenault clip 3:03 "The principle effort of the first part of Protecting God's Children is to raise people's awareness of the issue - that child abuse is not a new issue but a public health issue and that it's an issue in the church and society and we have a responsibility as ministers to be aware of that problem and this is the first step in preventing it from happening."
Finkelhor clip 27:00ish "It's very exciting that there is movement within the catholic church to really try and help make the church a safer place for kids and I'm really pleased to see that Manchester was involved in getting this program started and also one of the places where it's been tested, and I think that's it's going to be catch on and be adopted by other Diocese as well and that it has great promise."
Gill clip 27:15 " They've become very aware of the fact that it's an illness not just a moral issue, it's a criminal process they are involved in, they have to deal with the pathological side and see the need for treatment."
Narr - Dr. James Gill is a Jesuit priest, educator and psychiatrist. He has treated sexual abusers for more than forty years.
Gill clip 11:00 " We need stronger screening of candidates going through the seminary, better education of people doing the formation work. Bishops well educated, lay people who are not naïve and educated, I mean all those things can be done and are being done to a certain extent but there is much more needed."
Sacco clip 8-3:30 Ally "Ally: are you hopeful that were going to see some change?
I think so, I mean you still have to keep the pressure on them to do what they say their going to do something, you have to follow up on it, you have to have somebody monitor them. You know just have somebody go around to the churches on a regular basis and ask questions, be available to parishioners and if there are problems then they have someone to go to that's not directly related to the church but there are still plenty of things that they can do, it's just doing it."
script iconIntro discussion
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As we try and find ways to protect children - it may be helpful to look at who has been victimized. Dianne Lavoie is the director of education and training programs at Sexual Assault Support Services. David Finkelhor, is an expert on child abuse. We first asked him for a few definitions.
script iconrest of week
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Thursday, we'll hear the voices of those calling for reforms within the Roman Catholic Church and look at the healing process now underway among the faithful.
And on Friday, our conversation with Manchester Diocese Bishop John McCormack.
script iconState Budget
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State revenue commisioner Stan Arnold says business tax receipts are way below estimates. by as much as 110-million dollars.
He told the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday that even with offsets in other areas, the state could wind up with a big deficit at the end of the fiscal year.
He says the state could be shy 70-to-90 million dollars in revenues it had counted on for the 2002 and 2003 budget.
script iconRight to know
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A bill that would affect the state's right to know law got mixed reviews during a senate hearing Wednesday. The bill would stiffen penalties for Chemical or biological weapon hoaxes such as anthrax. At the same time the legislation would restrict government information that is already released to the public under the current right to know law. It's an issue that has some civil liberties activists worried.
script iconrt to know SOT
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OUTCUE:. Thats the type of thing that would be kept inaccessible to certain parties.
Rep. Splaine Items dealing with matters that might be considered security can be discussed behind closed doors and kept forever confidential. Fore example Seabrook nuc plant. Its safety would be kept secret and we could be told don't ask don't worry by officials. When I look at an issue like the Onassis oil refinery that we fo8ught in teh 70's I dont think we would be successful then if law like this was around.
7:28
***BUTT****
Clegg bill sponsor: 11:01 I would lie to point out that when we heard this bill, in Rome they had arrested a few people who had cyanide and one of the things I found interesting was, when they caught them they had detailed plans of the water system so they knew where to dump the cyanide and cause the most damage to those they most wanted to harm and that was the American embassy. Thats the type of thing that would be kept inaccessible to certain parties.
11:38OUT
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script icontag rt to know
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House bill 1423 will be under consideration by the house judiciary committee in the coming days.
script iconBusiness Outlook
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Bargain hunters pushed stocks into positive territory for the second day in a row.
script iconWall Street Stocks
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The Dow Jones industrial Average ended the day up over 73 points.
The Nasdaq composite was up two and a-half and the S-and-P 500 rose six.
Dow Jones\10426.91\+73.55\NYSE\599.85\+4.17\American Stock Exchange\908.10\+7.08\Nasdaq\1826.75\+2.58\S & P 500\1144.58\+6.09\Wall Street\Source: Wall Street
script iconNH Stocks
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Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Wednesday was a positive day for many New Hampshire companies. Timberland rose a dollar and forty six cents, and Raytheon Co rose ninety eight cents.
Fisher SCI Intl\28.80\+.70\Jefferson Pilot\49.88\+.77\Lockheed Martin\58.15\+.92\Raytheon Co\40.55\+.98\Timberland Co\41.48\+1.46\NH Stocks\Source: yahoo.com
script iconIntro Mt. Washington
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This week's rain and snow will help most areas of New Hampshire but state officials say the drought is far from over.
Earlier we spoke with Katie Hess at the Mount Washington Observatory to see what the weather was like on the top of the mountain.
script iconMt. Washington
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Mt. Washington Observatory\Wednesday on the Summit\Freezing fog becoming intermittent\Visibility: 200 feet\High: 32\Peak Gust: SW 66 mph
Overnight\Statewide\Mostly cloudy\Chance of showers up north\Lows: Mid and upper 20s
Thursday\North\Mostly cloudy\Chance of snow showers\Highs: 40 to 45
Thursday\Central and South\Partly cloudy\Highs: Mid 40s
script iconTomorrow
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook -
Part four of our week-long series on sex abuse in the Catholic Church. Tomorrow, faith and healing. and calls for reform.
script iconGoodnight
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That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconfounders
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook:
New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion
Public Service of New Hampshire
Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust
Putnam Foundation
Stratford Foundation
script iconThurs. am kids
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Innocence Lost. Part FOUR of a special report on the crisis in the catholic church. Tonight at 10 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconwebsite
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For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews,
visit our web site at nhptv.org.
You can also see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts.
If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721.
script icondrought
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This week's rain and snow will help most areas of New Hampshire but the drought is far from over.
Jim Gallagher, head of the state's drought control team, says
the state needs twice the normal amount for March, April and May to get out of the drought.
He said most of southern New Hampshire received about an inch
and a half of precipitation Tuesday. Lake Winnipesaukee rose an inch and a half from Tuesday to Wednesday.
script iconTroy Troubles
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-- Troy is running into big budget
problems, with rising school costs, big lawyer bills and the
bankruptcy of the town's major taxpayer.
Selectman Bruce McCulley says the southwestern New Hampshire
town's finances are in such bad shape, it might not be able to
borrow money to pay its bills as it waits for tax revenue to come
in. He expects the town to run out of money within a few weeks.
The town hopes to borrow 600 thousand dollars from a bank to
cover expenses in anticipation of taxes, but the deficit has banks
looking more closely at the request.
Troy Mills, which has filed for bankruptcy protection, owes more
than a half million dollars in back taxes. The town also has
had to pay higher school costs and spent about 120 thousand dollars
in lawyer fees after a water and sewer commissioner and former
water and sewer employee were indicted on federal environmental
charges.




AP-NY-03-27-02 1248EST
script iconkey: state government / politics
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:3/27/02 / 2200
HOST: Allison McNair Length: 1:24 min
In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a report on a bill that would affect the state's right to know law got mixed reviews during a senate hearing Wednesday. The bill would stiffen penalties for Chemical or biological weapon hoaxes such as anthrax. At the same time the legislation would restrict government information that is already released to the public under the current right to know law. It's an issue that has some civil liberties activists worried.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Ben French
NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:
Rep. James Splaine\D - Portsmouth
Rep. Robert Clegg, Jr.\R - Hudson
script iconkey: religion / ethics
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:3/27/02 / 2200
HOST: Allison McNair Length: 12 min
In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, including the third instalment in a five part series on sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church. Many of the recently published allegations of abuse against priests happened years ago. Does that mean anything has changed? What programs are there now in place to protect children? We explore these questions and more.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn & Allison McNair
NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:
Jim Sacco\Childhood Victim
Craig MacCreary\Pastor
Kerry Rochford-Hague\Safer Spaces Member
David Finkelhor\Crimes Against Children Research Ctr.
Michael Bemi\Ntl Catholic Risk Retention Group
Father Edward Arsenault\Chancellor - Diocese of Manchester
Dr. James Gill\Psychiatrist/Educator
script iconkey: religion / ethics
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:3/27/02 / 2200
HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8 min
In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, including a discussion on ways to protect children from sexual abuse.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair
NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:
Dr. David Finkelhor\Crimes Against Children Research Ctr.
Dianne Lavoie\Sexual Assault Support Services
script iconThurs. pm adults
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Innocence Lost. Part FOUR of a special report on the crisis in the catholic church. Tonight at 10 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconWEB PROMO
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Innocence Lost. Part FOUR of a special report on the crisis in the catholic church. Tonight at 10 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconPrevention interview
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4 pm in studio interview with Dianne Lavoie, she is the director of education and training programs at Sexual Assault Support Services.
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