Bishop Richard J. Malone, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, was recognized Monday in Houston, Texas, at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership for his contribution to religious education.

Malone received the 2008 F. Sadlier Dinger Award for his commitment to the teaching ministry throughout his career in the priesthood, according to a diocesan press release.

The award, named for the publisher of catechetical and academic books, was instituted in 1980 by the NCCL.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests criticized the decision to give the award to Malone.

“A doctor’s first job is to do not harm,” Barbara Dorris, outreach director for SNAP, based in St. Louis, Mo., said in press release. “A teacher’s first job is to keep kids safe. Bishop Malone has failed in that most crucial task. It’s tragic that a Catholic education group is now praising Malone.”

Malone was elected in November chairman-elect of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He will serve in that position for a year before taking over as chairman later this year.

He also served on the five-bishop editorial oversight board that handled the writing of the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults released in 2006. The development of the publication included three national consultations and drafts along with the processing of more than 10,000 suggested amendments.

Malone, who is the spiritual leader for Maine Catholics, has a long history of work in education including serving as secretary for education and director of religious education in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Before those positions, he served on the faculty at St. John’s Seminary and Emmanuel College, both in Boston, Xaverian High School in Westwood, Mass., and St. Clement High School in Somerville, Mass.

He also served as chaplain at the Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic Student Center, Wellesley College and Regis College, all located in Greater Boston.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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