For Catholics who care about the Church of our past and the Church of our future, our voices are needed now.

Scandal and Sunlight - What the John Jay Study Means to Catholics
Remarks of James E. Post
President, Voice of the Faithful
St. Patrick and St. Anthony's RC Church, Hartford, CT
March 11, 2004

Introduction

On February 27, 2004, American Catholics learned the terrible truth: The sexual abuse of children by clergy was not an isolated problem, but a systemic problem.

The study that was commissioned by America's Catholic bishops and conducted by researchers from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice provided some staggering findings:

• Four percent of all clergy over a fifty year period were the subject of allegations of sexual abuse. Allegations had been filed against 4,392 priests, a number twice the previous high estimate. In some dioceses, the percentage of priests against whom allegations were made exceeded 7% (Boston).

• 10,667 victims were counted, many having been abused more than once; and,

• Dioceses have paid out more than $572 million to settle cases, treat abusers, and pay attorneys.

These figures exceed previous estimates. And, we still have to acknowledge the problems of possible under-reporting (no audited verification) and financial settlements that were made after the reporting deadline (e.g., Boston's $85 million settlement in December 2003).

This data debunks the idea that the sexual abuse crisis is a figment of the media's imagination, as Vatican officials have suggested, or that the problem was only in Boston.

The facts have disproved the myths. Nearly ever one of the 195 dioceses in the United States has had a significant number of abusers; has received complaints from dozens -even hundreds-- of victims; and has expended substantial financial resources to compensate victims, treat offenders, and relocate abusers to new settings.

The research shows, beyond a reasonable doubt, that clergy sexual abuse is not an isolated event. This is not a case of a few bad apples. There are 4,392 "bad apples," to be sure. But there is also a rotten barrel that has corrupted too many men and injured too many children and young people. Clergy sexual abuse is the product of a culture of clericalism that desperately needs to change.

Systemic problems need systemic solutions. The corrupting elements of the clerical culture are power, authority, privilege, and secrecy. The solutions are participation, shared responsibility, respect for individuals, and transparency. The Catholic Church needs the healing power of "sunlight."

The Church cannot be true to its moral mission while its priests commit horrible crimes and its bishops cover up the evil deeds. Every bishop must provide leadership through a commitment to correct the injustices of the past, ensure safe environments for people of all age and gender, and engage in hands-on efforts to change a failed culture.

It is time for a cleansed Church; a renewed Church; a reformed Church. And we expect our bishops and clergy to walk with every lay woman and man to make it so.

As the National Review Board's Robert Bennett said, "Ultimately, the crisis besetting the Church is not a legal crisis, a media crisis, or a personnel crisis, but a crisis of trust and faith; and it is only by the living out of their faith by bishops, priests and the laity that the Church will be able to regain trust and fulfill its mission." (p.10)

The National Review Board (NRB) addressed the question "What can we do to ensure that this never happens again?" Their answer begins, "…(I)n order for the Church to achieve the goal set out by the bishops of 'restoring the bonds of trust that unite us,' more must be done, through a process that involves both transparency and substantial participation by the laity." (p.11)

The NRB recommends (1) enhanced screening, formation, and oversight of candidates for the priesthood; (2) increased sensitivity in responding to the allegations of abuse; (3) greater accountability of bishops and other church leaders; (4) improved interaction with civil authorities; and (5) meaningful participation by the Christian faithful in the Church. ["The bishops and other Church leaders must listen to and be responsive to the concerns of the laity." p.12]

Our Church --all of us-- must pledge to reach out to every survivor of abuse --those we know and those we do not yet know-- to assist them in dealing with the effects of abuse. We must learn everything possible from this tragedy, and apply those lessons to the problem of sexual abuse in our society. We have been given an opportunity to lead, to provide models of how to prevent abuse in all institutions, and we have a moral obligation to do so. But we must begin by cleaning up our own house - punish the guilty, love the abused, and insist on change.

We have come a far distance in two years. But it is not nearly enough. The days of being passive "people in the pews" must end. There is a practical reason for all of us to recognize this need.

If every action the bishops have pledged to take in the Charter and Norms works perfectly, and no child is ever again abused in the Catholic Church, survivors of abuse will still live among us for the next six, seven, or eight decades. This issue will define the Catholic Church of the 21st Century. History will judge us by how well we learn the lessons from this tragedy, reflect on their meaning, and apply our knowledge to the living Church of the 21st Century. That is the only way we can reclaim the integrity of the Catholic Church.

PRACTICAL STEPS

I am confident that Hartford's Archbishop, Henry Mansell, is deeply concerned about these issues. Every bishop must be concerned. I am sure that he understands that his credibility with the people of this archdiocese depends on how he, and all Catholic bishops, respond to this crisis.

If the archbishop was here, I would tell him exactly what I am about to tell you.

First, reach out to the good, decent people of this archdiocese in a campaign of prayer and action. Use this Lenten season bring bishops, clergy, and laity together; recognize our mutual betrayal and our shared pain; and listen to one another in a new spirit of openness to Christ's message expressed through the voice of each person, whatever their circumstances and means.

Second, pledge to the people of this archdiocese a determination to be open and transparent in all financial matters.

Third, work together to ensure that all parishes have elected parish councils and finance councils that are healthy, representative, and involved in the real work of building vital parishes and communities. The presence of laity on personnel committees would have prevented the movement of predators from place to place.

Fourth, open discussions with survivors and members of the laity about the long term needs of survivors that must be met through sustained programs of assistance, therapy, and support.

Bishops have emphasized the importance of reaching financial settlements with victims of abuse. We should do so. We should also make longer term commitments to therapy and other forms of support. There will be people in need among the survivors of clergy sexual abuse for decades to come. There is a need -and an opportunity-for Catholic communities to think about -and to model-- the long term healing and reconciliation process.

Sexual abuse is not something that a survivor can be "put behind him/her" … it shapes a lifetime. No survivor has ever told me they were "better off" for having been abused. We know the story is always told the other way … a life that has been altered, that can never again be innocent. The recent death of Patrick McSorley, a victim of Fr. John Geoghan, is sad testimony to the psychological and physical damage that flows from sexual abuse.

Bishop accountability

We have learned that more than 700 priests have been removed from active ministry during the past two years. We ask why the bishops didn't act before 2002. The John Jay study puts the numbers in front of us; the National Review Board has focused on the dual nature of the crisis: sexual abuse of minors by clergy and the "failure of too many Church leaders to respond appropriately to that abuse." (p. 7)

Now, we must ask:

• What did they know?

• When did they know it?

• What did they do about it?

Were our bishops asleep at the switch, or just too eager to keep the wraps on a scandal by dealing with each case as it arose? We need an accounting from each bishop in each diocese.

Why do some bishops still refuse to release the names of priests against whom allegations have been made? This behavior allows potential abusers -predators- to walk free in our communities. And, it taints all priests because reasonable people are suspicious and unable to trust any priest as long as those against whom allegations have been made remain unidentified.

Bishop Gregory said at his February 27th press conference: "The terrible history recorded here today is history." Is this history? I think Bishop Gregory is wrong, and the jury is still out on that count!

Do we hope this will become history? Yes. Do we believe it to be so now? No.

We know that there is more painful and disturbing news to be confronted. Consider the ugly and disgusting story that has emerged from Springfield, MA. This is not only the story of a priest who abused young men. It is a story of cover up, concealment, and deception over the course of many years.

This is a story of a bishop who covered up the story of his abuse, and may well have covered the tracks of other stories of abuse. How far does this go? Networks of priests engaged in sexual abuse? Were church leaders blackmailed by abusive priests? The possible scenarios are endless, and ugly.

The news that Bishop Timothy McDonnell has been appointed to lead the Springfield diocese is a hopeful sign. (To be installed April 1, 2004) We pray for him; we offer our welcome and we express our desire to work together to clean up the dreadful situation that awaits him.

We also note the appointment of Bishop Robert J. McManus to head the Diocese of Worcester, MA. (To be installed May 14, 2004) We also pray for him; we offer our welcome and we express our desire to work together to address the many issues facing that diocese.

In Springfield and Worcester, as in the Archdiocese of Hartford, there are hundreds -thousands- of talented lay women and men who are eager to help lead their Church/our Church in the 21st Century.

Since 2002, dozens of new bishops have been appointed to dioceses throughout the United States. In New England, new archbishops have been appointed to the archdioceses of Hartford and Boston. Bishops have also been appointed to the dioceses of Norwich, CT; Portland, ME; Worcester, MA; Springfield, MA; Fall River, MA. That is 7 dioceses with new leadership.

We must work to ensure that the leaders of these dioceses understand the new realities of the Catholic Church. The laity has been abused, trust has been lost, and there is no possibility of putting the "genie" back into the bottle. Clericalism must end.

David O'Brien, a historian at College of the Holy Cross, wrote a book some years ago entitled, From the Heart of the American Church, in which he examines the influence of Catholic education on American life by interviewing dozens of prominent American Catholics. Michael Harrington, an activist of another era, explained that his Jesuit education had taught him two things: "Ideas have consequences, and, then, you're responsible." Let me repeat that: Ideas have consequences, and, then, you're responsible.

American Catholics are the beneficiaries of two powerful sets of ideas. From our national democratic tradition, we have learned that freedom is important; that accountability is essential; and that free speech and the right of assembly are fundamental rights. From our Catholic faith we have learned that morality matters, that individual conscience is critical, and that we bear a baptismal responsibility to work for the good of our Church.

This is the DNA we share as American Catholics. Like the double helix, these ideas are entwined in our belief system and in our lives. We believe in these ideas. And we believe in the values these ideas represent … that makes us responsible to see that they become values in practice.

Over these past two years, we have learned what it means -and what it takes-to be a true American Catholic who believes in morality, accountability, freedom, individual conscience, and Catholic responsibility. As I said, "ideas have consequences. And, then, you're responsible."

Conclusion

How do we live up to -and live out-our responsibility? There are several things we can, and should, do.

First, we must become educated about the crisis and how it came about. Then, we must put our minds to the question of how to repair the Church.

Our command is the command St. Francis received at the crumbled church of San Damiano - "Francis, Repair my Church which is crumbling all around you." It is appropriate that we close with those words tonight in this Church where our Franciscan priests and brothers and sisters are repairing and healing a broken world.

I want to leave you with one last thought: We must read if we are to repair.

We must be more knowledgeable about the crisis, the Church, and the many ideas now emerging to shape the repair process. I have two recommended readings:

#1. The National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People, "A Report on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States." (February 27, 2004)

#2. Jim Muller and Charles Kenney, Keep the Faith, Change the Church (Rodale Press, 2004). This book describes VOTF's early history -how we gathered, formed, and began the journey that has come to Hartford this evening. This is a wonderful story of how ordinary Catholics said "Stop!" "This is not what our Church stands for." "We must speak out and work to restore moral integrity to our Church."

You will love it. Please order by going to VOTF website, or Amazon.com, or your local bookstore.

And, now, I would be pleased to take your questions. Thank you.