Lawyer propose labor union for priests

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A New Haven defense attorney is proposing that Roman Catholic priests in Connecticut form a union to protect their rights when they are accused of sexual misconduct.

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Hugh Keefe, who has represented several priests accused of misconduct, said he said has spoken to top state union leaders in an effort to help priests unionize.

"Lying under the surface is tremendous resentment from the vast majority of Catholic priests who feel betrayed and not backed up by the hierarchy of the church," Keefe said Thursday.

The Most Rev. Peter Rosazza, an auxiliary bishop in New Haven, says the idea of priests unionizing "repugnant."

A union would ensure that priests would be treated as innocent until proven guilty when an allegation of misconduct is raised, Keefe said.

"A union would ensure that you can't cost a man his career on baseless allegations," Keefe said.

The Rev. John Gatzak, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Hartford, was dismissive of Keefe.

"That's Hugh Keefe's opinion, and so be it," Gatzak said.

Keefe said there are probably priests in the state who have committed crimes, but he said many of the lawsuits are baseless and an attempt to make money.

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Information from: New Haven Register, http://www.ctcentral.com