LETTERS

Discrepancy in Samaritan confidentiality policy

Winchester Town Crier
April 14, 1994

Recently, I received a letter from the Boston Branch of the Samaritans, which they sent to the editor of the Boston Globe explaining that there are over 300 Samarutans centers around the globe that are operated independently, but affiliated through a common mission and philosophy only.

The director clearly points out that anonymity and confidentiality are the cornerstones of the befriending services, The letter also strongly states: "To the extent that the incident involving the Fall River Samaritans results in any caller's guarantee of confidentiality being compromised, it could seriously and tragically erode the confidence the public has in the privacy of our telephone befriending services. For this reason, the Samaritans of Boston would like to reassure the community that we will never discuss any aspect of any call received without the caller's approval. This means that we do not even confirm the identity of a caller."

I was most grateful to receive this letter after the Framingham branch of the Samaritans refused to answer phone calls regarding statements which the director, Sally Jones, had made in the Boston Globe and also after repeated attempts to speak with the Fall River United Way director had failed, as phone calls have failed and letters have been returned. Several friends of mine did, however, speak with the United Way of Mass Bay, who stated that all calls are confidential and anonymity is always in all cases respected.

I believe that the Boston Samaritans are a professional agency with integrity and serious concerns about their befriending services. The American Suicide Foundation has also repeatedly explained that suicide calls are confidential and the contents contained within conversations are and should be respected.

The Ross family has every right to be outraged by this breach of confidentiality. It is not important whether the details we have been given about their life are true.

What is important is that they lost a son to suicide, and the circumstances surrounding his death and past calls to the Samaritans should not be displayed outright in the Boston Globe.

Although the recent article in the Globe was written in a well balanced manner, attempting to explain both sides as accurately as possible, a reporter can only report on what he verifies or what his sources tell him. Most papers will print any information on this case which they can obtain.

However, I believe the Fall River Samaritans' attempt to exhibit their story to the public, in this case, was a severe error on their behalf.

No explanation for their actions is given and the sharing of confidential information about a caller in inappropriate, unethical and misleading.

Let us all remember that the Samaritans, in general, do wonderful work. They aid many lonely and distressed people. Their services are very much needed and their volunteers do heartwarming work which saves many lives.

Other branches' reputations should not be injured by the pending lawsuit against the Fall River branch, but at the same time, I would like to point out that the Fall River branch's behavior certainly does not coincide with the practices and rules of the world renowned Samaritans.

Terry Mack
Ledyard Road
Winchester

© copyright 1994 to Terry Mack. Published here by permission of the author.

The Sister Plante saga...

The Stoneham Independent
Wednesday, July 21, 1999

As co-chairwoman of the Friends of Sister Plante, I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight on a few issues pending in the Sister Plante case which have plagued this saga for the last 5 years.

Swirling and swirling are many inconsistent rumors in a case which has yet to go to trial and which has yet to determine the facts. The facts cannot be known until the discovery process is completed and since the Bishop, other religious leaders and the Samaritans have escaped deposition, the case remains in limbo, as many people watch anxiously wondering why any respected citizen would not welcome the chance to clear their name and provide a logical explanation for their actions.

There are several points which should be clarified beginning with what has been told and/or said and what is the truth. Setting the record straight is as follows:

It has been reported that the Fall River Samaritans were the only branch involved in the interactions with the Ross family, the Winchester couple who lost their son to suicide. In truth, three other branches were involved. The Merrimack Valley Samaritans, under the leadership of Greg Miller, the Executive Director, terminated the Ross's son's phone calls, without explanation and have refused to speak with any caller who telephones the Samaritan hotline regarding the Sister Plante issues. This includes Merrimack Valley residents who have expressed their concerns about the case. We respect all Samaritan branches and the good work that they do, but we also strongly disagree with some particular agencies policies on termination. However, we do respect the rules and regulations set forth by the Samaritans in general.

Both the Cape Cod and Framingham Samaritans branches terminated the Ross's son's calls as well, and have refused to discuss and/or listen to callers who may have questions and/or concerns about this case.

It has often been reported that the former [Fall River] Samaritan's Director, Mrs. Leite visited Bishop O'Malley with several other board members. This is true, but what has not been reported is that Mrs. Leite and other board members also visited sister's superiors, Sister Rosemary LaLiberte and Father Richard Beaulieu, both of whom have avoided taking deposition.

It has been repeatedly said that the Ross family has never stepped forward to help Sister Plante and that no one knows who this couple is or even if they exist at all.

In truth, the Rosses have remained anonymous, but General Ross in an attempt to help Sister Plante has met in closed door confidential meetings with Herald news reporter Sean Flynn, Former Vice Chairwoman of the American Suicide Foundation, Susan Lyman, former Representative for the United Way Community Services, Mrs. Helen Miranda, and the General's true identity was discovered by former Winchester Town Crier Editor, Ed Rice. There have also been many military, veterans, and upper echelon officers who have attested to knowing and/or having contact with the General and his wife.

Finally, Sister Plante's case does not hinge on the General or Mrs. Ross, even though their true identities seem to fascinate people. The nun's case is based on wrongful termination, breach of contract, and her desire to clear her fine reputation in light of the injustice which has happened to her. Her fight for justice is a difficult one, plagued by the hierarchical powers that be who represent the Catholic Church. It should be made very clear that Sister Plante is the Plaintiff, whose goal is to prove that she was treated wrongfully or unjustly by the Samaritans, the Bishop and others involved. Sister Plante is not charged with any crime, nor does she have to defend herself, nor do the Rosses, who lost their son to suicide, have to come forward. The Rosses should have been granted complete anonymity by the Samaritans, the hotline that took calls from their suicidal son for almost 5 years. Instead, the Samaritans waged the theory that the Ross family may not exist and the fact that they question their existence at all, tells most people that there is something very wrong with this story.

While the Samaritans may have thought discrediting Sister Plante's story may cause people to stay clear of supporting the nun, the effect that this behavior has had on the public, specifically, the suicidal, who are potential callers to the Samaritans hotline, is a true tragedy.

The Friends of Sister Plante's goal is to debunk, dispute and set forth the facts, as we know them, in a case where the real issues are muddled and the facts are so horribly distorted, that even the best of minds have difficulty in determining the real issues. As we continue to support Sister Plante in her quest for justice, we ask that people gather the appropriate information pertaining to this case. We place no fault on any particular news publication or individual for mis-truths printed in the press, but rather we would like to make it clear that the discrepancies which surround this case, should be investigated by all those who take a sincere interest in finding the facts.

Sincerely,
Terry Mack
Co-Chairwoman Friends of Sister Plante

© copyright 1999 to Terry Mack. Published here by permission of the author.

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