It's very disheartening to see how Wheeling Catholic officials are responding to the revelation that a Jesuit university board member stands accused of sexual harassment.

Because one California church official in 1999 decided that an allegation against Fr. Thomas Gleeson was "unsubstantiated," West Virginia Catholic authorities are apparently fine with giving him a position of authority and responsibility over innocent teenagers and vulnerable young people.

Would it hurt Wheeling Jesuit University so much to even spend a few days delving into this accusation, instead of immediately assuming that a credible accuser is wrong and an accused cleric is right?

David Clohessy

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests National Director

St. Louis, Mo.