dash-2 obscurity

By Diogenes ( articles ) | May 10, 2007

Back in February 2004, Bishop Thomas Dupre rather suddenly resigned from his post at the head of the Springfield, Massachusetts diocese. Since that time, not a word has been heard from the former bishop. Although the Springfield diocese presumably knows where to mail his salary checks, diocesan officials won't say where Dupre is living.

(You might be reclusive, too, if a local prosecutor had indicted you for raping children, then withdrawn the indictment because the statute of limitations had tolled, but broadly hinted that prosecutors in other nearby jurisdictions might still have a live case.)

Now we learn that Dupre has consented to give a deposition in a long-running legal case involving sexual abuse in Springfield. The deposition will cover only his administrative performance as bishop, not the personal accusations lodged against him.

But here's the interesting part:

The deposition is to take place somewhere in Maryland, though [Dupre's lawyer] said he did not know if Dupre is still at St. Luke's.

Odd, isn't it, that the man's lawyer-- who must have been in touch with his client somehow-- doesn't know exactly where Dupre is? In Maryland, most likely (or somewhere close to Maryland), and determined to stay there. It might have been more convenient for everyone else involved if Dupre came to Massachusetts for the deposition, rather than having all the lawyers make the trip south. But he apparently doesn't want to travel to Massachusetts, and he must have a good reason.

Allergies?