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Contact: John Moynihan 617-680-2131, jmoynihan@votf.org
For Immediate Release
RE: Today’s statement by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop
of Detroit that he was a victim of clerical sexual abuse.
BISHOP GUMBLETON’S REVELATION UNDERSCORES
NEED
FOR
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM FOR SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS
January 11, 2006 - "The truth is painful every time we hear it,” said
Kristine Ward, National Vice President of Voice of the Faithful, and
chair of
the Catholic lay reform organization’s Dayton (OH) affiliate. “That
is no less so today with Bishop Gumbleton's revelation of his own experience
of clergy sexual abuse that took place sixty years ago. Bishop Gumbleton,
like all survivors, deserves the sincere apology of his Church backed
by a real quest for true reform.”
“Ohio lawmakers see today that the wall of Bishop opposition to
the 'window' provision of Ohio Senate Bill 17 is not solid. We call upon
members of the Ohio House, holders of the public trust, to seize this
moment as an opportunity to better appreciate the need for all of the
provisions of Senate Bill 17.”
The Bishop’s disclosure serves to underscore what the survivors
have taught the Church and society at large - it takes a very long time
to come to terms with abuse. This is why access to justice should be
afforded to victims of sexual abuse through "windows" that
allow for a look-back period.
What we don't know does harm us. When we don't know who sexual predators
are, children are at risk.
When Bishops cover up abuse and block reforms, not only does the Church
suffer but society loses the strength of a significant moral pillar.
Only truth and the willingness to seek it will lead us from the depth
of this scandal and cure the laryngitis in the Church's moral voice.
Bishops should lead, not impede. Led now by one of their own, there is
a sliver of hope that Bishops will drop their opposition to the look-back
window and allow wrongs to be righted, children to be protected, and
justice to live again in the Roman Catholic Church.
//end
About Voice of the Faithful: Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is a worldwide
movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the
clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group's mission is to provide a prayerful
voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively
participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its
goals are to support survivors of abuse, support priests of integrity,
and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance
and harmony with Church teaching.
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