Picture of the Crisis - The New York Times published on January 12, 2003 the results of its survey of accused priests. This was the first real attempt to quantify the problem, and the Times's findings are very important to review as we prepare for the bishops' own survey. Here are the Times's graphs and tabulations and their own analysis, together with a real range of commentary.
Picturing the Crisis through the New York Times Survey
Ten-Minute Activist: Help Reform the Statutes of Limitations - Reforming the statutes of limitations (SOLs) is one of the most effective ways to achieve transparency and justice for survivors. Right now, the important battleground is Indiana, where you can encourage lawmakers to enact true reform.
Ten-Minute Activists for SOL Reform
Survivors' Voices - In this phase of episcopal self-reporting and pastoral outreach, the voices of survivors help us remember the realities of this ongoing crisis. Our Timeline is a chronology of the crisis that includes the speeches and writings of survivors, documents of all kinds, key events with news stories, and commentary from right to left. We have added dozens of new items in the last few weeks, building a unique record of history in the making. Follow the link to Belinda Martinez' remarkable 7/31/03 speech, and then experience the voices of other survivors on the Timeline, including Phil Saviano (7/20/02), Art Austin (6/4/02), and Mark Furnish (10/12/02).
Survivors' Voices on the Timeline
Profile: Nuns Who Advocate for Survivors - Please make a virtual visit to the Monastery of Our Lady of Little Citeaux, in the hills of East Tennessee. The sisters have dedicated their Web site to telling some home truths about survivors and the crisis.
Visit the Outspoken Sisters of Our Lady of Little Citeaux
Picturing Transfers from the Documents - As the church battles to keep documents sealed in Los Angeles and every other diocese, we must remember that the secret files give us the best picture of the crisis - much sharper than any "aggregate" self-reporting. To see what the documents reveal about criminal transfers arranged by the bishops, look at a superb picture of some Boston transfers, created by the Boston Globe. We present it with links to articles and documents, including a brief profile of the only bishop who wouldn't go along.
What Do the Transfers Really Look Like?
Transcript of the Fireside Chat - We post a complete transcript of the 1/25 Fireside Chat with Susan Archibald, Jason Berry, David Clohessy, Tom Doyle, and Richard Sipe.
Transcript of the Fireside Chat
A Note about the Authors, the Monitor, and BishopAccountability.org - BishopAccountability.org is the largest source on the Internet of information about the Catholic sexual abuse crisis and the bishops' responsibility for it. We also offer ways for you to maintain your involvement and assure true accountability among the bishops. The Monitor is written by Anne Barrett Doyle, Paul Kendrick, and Terence McKiernan (Co-Directors of BishopAccountability.org) and Paul Baier (President of Survivors First). The next issue of the Monitor will be emailed on February 6, 2004.
Original material on our Web site and in this newsletter is copyright © 2004 BishopAccountability.org. You are welcome to forward, copy, reproduce, and quote with acknowledgment. BishopAccountability.org is dedicated to the victims and their families and loved ones.
Visit Our Resources Page: Timeline, Links, and Documents
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL STATEMENT
Voice of the Faithful is a group of faithful Catholics formed in Boston in January of last year in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis within our Church. As the people of God, as the Church, faithful Catholics must assume their individual roles in healing this wound to the Body of Christ.
The recent Supreme Court Decision in the Stogner Matter has been another serious blow to those interested in Protecting Our Children. As a Catholic I liken this decision to Roe v. Wade. As a Catholic I am now calling on all members of my Church to mount the same type of intensive effort to demand that we focus attention to the living beings whose souls are murdered when as children they are sexually abused.
This Decision now makes it clear to me that my Church, whom we have looked to for moral leadership, now must truly provide that leadership regarding all our children. I was personally disheartened by the remarks made by the Archdiocese spokesperson last week regarding the decision that regardless, any clergy affected by the decision would "not be allowed back into ministry." Then an attorney for the Archdiocese referred to the Decision as "encouraging."
These comments point out in BOLD HEADLINES that somehow the larger picture of the impact on our neighborhoods, communities and children is not a consideration to some of the leaders of our Church. About 800 individuals charged or convicted of sexual molestation are being released from their places of incarceration and are now "running free." Many remain unknown to the larger community. Our Church has not provided local parishes with information of those substantially accused and the dates and places that these priests have served.
In our positions as American citizens we must become pro-active and demand that our State Legislatures, Congress, and the Supreme Court update whatever laws or statutes they must to remove any statute of limitations on the sexual abuse of children.
In our positions as Catholics we must acknowledge that the abused are in need of understanding, compassion and assistance - these victims are the Martyrs of this reformation - our Blessed Mother is acknowledged here in Los Angeles by our Church as a special patron for whom our Cathedral is named "Our Lady Queen of the Angels." Mary is also known by the title "Queen of Martyrs" and I trust she will embrace every one of these children who have been forced against their will to lives of long suffering and torture.
As Catholics we must be supportive and understanding of those priests who minister to our community with the love of Jesus in their hearts. We must, however, expect this same dedication and commitment from all of our ministers, all of our lay people, all of our priests, bishops and cardinals. We are all called to be imitators of Christ. It is time that we follow the example of the Good Samaritan and stop along our journey to tend to the wounded souls lying at the side of the road. Those wounded include those abusers who are clearly in need of understanding and compassion, treatment and intervention to keep them away from committing such acts ever again.
As Catholics we must be courageous and proactive in our efforts to be imitators of Christ; as we develop our patterns of love rather than judgment, our Church will renew itself by the Spirit of God working through all of the people and finally we can raise our heads and smile when we hear someone say.. "See how those Christians love one another."
In Christ!
Mary Jane McGraw
Southern California Regional Coordinator
Voice of the Faithful
----------------------------------------------------------
With each day’s passing, each news story, each new announcement of pain, sorrow, profanity, and affliction, it becomes clear to all of us that we should refocus ourselves in prayer for the healing of all of the wounds being inflicted on our brothers and sisters… everywhere. With that in mind, I have sent the following prayer to Cardinal Mahoney asking that it be included in the Prayers of the Faithful at every Mass and I ask that all of you to find the time each day to say this prayer and request that your parish included it each Sunday in all of the Masses.
“For our Church, that Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress and Teacher of the Faith to the people of the Americas, will assist us in giving compassion to the victims of abuse, forgiveness to the abusers, and courage to our clergy and the People of God to follow the example of Christ.”
· The Santa Barbara Affiliate is progressing well and has now, I believe, over 200 members! See Calendar of Events for next meeting!
· A brand new Affiliate is forming in the Long Beach area thanks to all of the long work and dedication of Dee Dee Smith and her associates. See Calendar of Events for next meeting!
· VOTF attendance at the February 27-March 2 Religious Education Congress in Anaheim brought an opportunity to leaflet fellow active Catholics by the droves. Most participants seemed genuinely pleased to have the information and news that VOTF was indeed “alive” here in California.
· Fr. Ron Rolheiser gave a talk on “Carrying a Scandal Biblically” that was right to the point and he graciously allowed Mary Jane McGraw, So. Cal. VOTF Regional Coordinator, to say a few words appealing to those in the room (per the Tidings, about 1,000 people) to reach out with compassion to the victims present at the Congress and to return to their home parishes with a request that the Prayer of the Faithful at every weekend liturgy include one relating to the current crisis in the Church.
· Some of our members spent time with Manny Vega at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels during his week long vigil and fast. It was a moving experience to observe both Manny and Hector as they presented themselves to all the priests and people of God who passed by them. It was clear that although there were some compassionate passersby the majority simply put their heads down and went on their way.
· While visiting with Manny and Hector at the Cathedral on Wednesday of Holy Week, I had an opportunity to speak with Tod Tamberg, the Spokesman for the Cardinal who was very pleasant and engaging.
· He wanted me to know what “position” the Cardinal has toward VOTF at the present… namely, and this is paraphrasing generally – the focus for the Archdiocese is on the victims and the settlements – like any organization of worth, if it is to go on and be viable, VOTF will be there after the Church reaches agreements with the victims, etc.
· I suggested to Mr. Tamberg that I felt strongly that that particular course of action didn’t seem much to me like what Christ would do and that I felt there could be trouble in the future if they continue to ignore the need for dialogue with faithful Catholics. I used the analogy of the pot boiling on the stove and suggested that the lid might just blow right off in view of the lack of attention being paid to issues put forward by VOTF and the overwhelming feeling among faithful Catholics that we have been betrayed by the lack of openness, honesty and compassion of some of the hierarchy.
· I expressed my sincere regret at the present position and reminded Mr Tamberg that I would be available to discuss any of these matters more fully at any time. He was well aware of our brochure but did not seem to be aware of my conversation some time ago with Msgr. Kevin Kostelink, the Prelate of the Cathedral, during which I suggested that his pastoral leadership would be very helpful by starting an Affiliate of VOTF at the Cathedral. With his openness to dialogue we could all truly apply ourselves to beginning the healing process.
· A SNAP meeting in Glendale brought together attorneys from six different firms representing victims in both LA and Orange Diocese. It was a very open informative meeting regarding the current situation and the positions being taken by the Church to delay proceedings and the disclosure of documents. One of the attorneys spent a great deal of time reviewing the various insurance policies that the Archdiocese had during the period of the last 35+ years and explaining how those policy provisions will impact any actual monetary settlements.
· The attorneys were of one mind regarding the concerns of many that these actions may “bankrupt” the Church as has been proposed by some in the Church. They believe that the Insurance Policies in place over the years will be sufficient to cover claims. They clearly reported that “bankrupting the Church” is clearly not the intent of the attorneys or their clients.
· There is a desire to provide for continuous and on-going therapeutic services and some compensation for victims along with a strong desire to have a Special Fund established to provide for therapeutic services in the future for those victims who have still not come forward.
· The attorneys reported that they are aware of 120-130 perpetrators in the LA and Orange Diocese and believe that there could be as many as 4,000 victims in this area – the majority of whom will probably never come forward.
-----------------------------------------------------------
A letter to VOTF members from the VOTF Executive Director, Steve Krueger, on Patriots' Day, April 19, 2003, the day of the annual running of the Boston Marathon: Staying The Course - As In A Marathon
---------------------------------------------
Note: Following is a letter recently sent to the Los Angeles Times by Mary Jane McGraw, the Southern California Coordinator of VOTF, followed by an e-mail message sent by Mary Jane to Cardinal Mahony.
To the Editor:
Thank you for your thoughtful and pointed editorial calling on Cardinal Roger M. Mahoney to “Do What You Say, Cardinal.”
Faithful Catholics in Southern California have been respectfully, quietly and prayerfully waiting to see or hear what direction the sexual abuse crisis will take here in our Archdiocese. The Cardinal, our California Bishops, and many parish pastors have used the press and church pulpits to reassure Catholics that the problems in California are in good control.
The honesty and openness of Bishop Barnes in San Bernardino and a small number of parish pastors stands out from the gaggle of words and double speak we have grown accustomed to hearing.
As a member of Voice of the Faithful, the group of faithful Catholics started in Boston in response to this crisis in February of last year “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,” I have been encouraged and invigorated by the growing numbers of faithful Catholics across the country who are clearly devoted to the church and passionately committed to approaching this situation as nearly as possible “as Jesus would.” Voice of the Faithful has only three goals: To protect the abused, to support priests of integrity and to shape structural change in the church. We are attempting to reach out to like-minded Catholics who feel that transparency is essential and accepting the responsibility of reaching out with compassion is the responsibility of each of us. With both priests and abused listed as suicide victims it is essential that lay Catholics find their own voice and demand that our hierarchy be open and responsive to
the needs of all those involved in this crisis.
Voice of the Faithful supports transparency by our hierarchy. All requested records and documents should be turned over to the prosecutors: all names, dates and places of ministry or service should be provided to all parishes throughout the country and internationally for all clergy accused of sexual abuse. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles might consider setting up a totally independent “Super Fund” designed and administered by the best psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and attorneys to begin developing policies and procedures to provide ongoing counseling services including medication and institutional care, if needed, for all of those immediately involved in abusive actions. The hierarchy should take itself out of the role of assisting in the determinations of whether or not therapeutic services are required, or for what period of time. The victims abused and abusers have had enough of the on-again, off-again support of the Catholic Church.
The children of our church have in many instances been martyred by our brothers and sisters of the clergy. The terrible long lasting reality of this situation must be faced. Many of our most respected ministers and priests kept silent, misled and in some cases flatly denied any knowledge of impropriety.
Since the Vatican Council II, lay members of the Catholic Church have been called to take active roles within “their” Church. Unfortunately, although this appears to be taking place, and lay people serve on Parish Advisory Councils or Finance Committees, even Bishop Curry, of the Santa Barbara Region has stated, “The challenge is to make these bodies functioning and effective.”
The current overwhelming operational parish practice is that “Father does as Father wants.” And frequently heard within the church offices is the phrase, “I am the Pastor.” The message has been made perfectly clear that regardless of the attitudes, ideas or concerns of the parish community, the Pastor will do WHATEVER HE WANTS. The parish members have no choice but to remain silent or leave -- questions are better not asked and more frequently simply not answered.
At a time when we all need to rethink our processes of conflict resolution, our hierarchy seems to simply want to stand aside in silence and hope that the flood will not erode the “high ground” that they have chosen. Their silence is creating a vacuum within the people of the church that reverberates with sadness, disbelief, denial, and anger.
Lay people throughout the country are becoming aware daily that the problems of sexual abuse have not been isolated to Boston, Los Angeles or New York but have played a role in almost every diocese in the country and internationally. Silence and denial have replaced openness, honesty, compassion, consolation, concern and courage in dealing with this issue. The lay faithful seem to be waiting for the “Shepherd” to truly lead -- calling all of us, abused, abusers, accused, as well as millions of Catholics to accept that this crisis is real and that resolution must come through prayer -- on everyone’s part.
The California affiliate of Voice of the Faithful has made a suggestion to the Cardinal that he direct every parish in the Archdiocese to include the following, or similar prayer, at every liturgy during the Prayer of the Faithful until such time as this wound in the Body of Christ is healed:
“For our Church, that Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress and Teacher of the Faith to the people of the Americas, will assist us in giving compassion to the victims of abuse, forgiveness to the abusers, and courage to our clergy and the People of God to follow the example of Christ.”
Mary Jane McGraw
Southern California Regional Coordinator
Voice of the Faithful
Support Group contacts:
For those who have information regarding matters of sexual abuse, regardless of time or place of occurrence, please call: Detectives Dale Barraclough or James Brown, LAPD (213) 847-5358.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Mary Grant (626) 835-9066 Mary Grant E-Mail
The Linkup, Sue Archibald (502) 290-4055
Priest database: Priest Database
Victims/Survivors Organization: Survivors Network
or The Linkup
Voice of the Faithful affiliates:
National: Voice Of The Faithful
Southern California: VOTF-California or call (818) 991-7792
Santa Barbara: VOTF-Santa Barbara
San Francisco: VOTF-San Francisco
Email to Cardinal Mahony:
Dear Cardinal Mahony,
The California affiliate of Voice of the Faithful would like to suggest that you direct every parish in the Archdiocese to include the following, or similar prayer, at every liturgy during the Prayer of the Faithful until such time as the wound created by the sexual abuse crisis to the Body of Christ is healed. We are directing our appeal to Our Lady of Guadalupe because of the long-standing special, protective relationship she has had over all the people of the Americas:
“For our Church, that Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress and Teacher of the Faith to the people of the Americas, will assist us in giving compassion to the victims of abuse, forgiveness to the abusers, and courage to our clergy and the People of God to follow the example of Christ.”
I know you share the belief that our Blessed Mother is quietly standing by our sides in this,
her City of the Angels, and that she is calling each of us to come together at her feet and follow
her direction in providing the spiritual guidance needed to bring healing to our Church.
Your loving sister in Christ,
Mary Jane McGraw
Southern California Regional Coordinator for
Voice of the Faithful
Anchorhold@aol.com
