Healing process 'has just begun'

But other parishes were touched as well because the six had served in many places around the Albany Diocese. As a result, counselors were sent not only to the three parishes (see main article) but also to six other locations: St. Mary's in Glens Falls, St. Madeleine Sophie in Guilderland, St. Ambrose in Latham, St. Mary/St. Paul's in Hudson Falls, Sacred Heart in Berlin and St. Joseph's in Stephentown.

Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, executive director of the Albany Diocese's Counseling for Laity office, attended the open forums at St. Ambrose, held after five weekend Masses. One of the removed priests, Rev. John Bertolucci, had served there.

"There was shock initially," she told The Evangelist. "People didn't believe it. Many walked out of church shaking their heads; they were not ready to talk about it."

Some of those who did talk expressed anger that the priest had been reassigned to a parish when his abuse was known, she said, and felt betrayed that the Diocese had not been honest with Catholics.

"People were confused, angry, frustrated and numb," she noted. "I think some of them might want to talk three weeks from now. The work has just begun." (JB)

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