This is the response by some priests and deacons of my county to an article that appeared in the local county newspaper, the Houston Home Journal.
The column by Attorney James Rockefeller, “Catholic Betrayal of Trust” (Houston Home Journal, (6-29-11) is yet another distorted understanding of sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic Church. There can be no dispute that the abuse happened, yet to state that “the Roman Catholic Church is perhaps the most infamous example” of betrayal of trust is an unfortunate misrepresentation of the truth. Sexual victimization of children is in fact a pervasive issue in all of society. It is sadly present in families, and it is not uncommon in institutions where adults form mentoring relationships with adolescents, including schools, sports, and social and religious organizations.
The Roman Catholic Church is fully aware of this reality and the 2002 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document on the Protection of Children (the Dallas Charter) has made the American Church the safest and most transparent organization in the country in the area of sexual abuse. The John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York has indicated that by June 30, 2010 nearly 2 million church employees and volunteers who have contact with children have had background checks and training to promote the safe environment of children. This includes approximately 162,000 educators, 38,000 priests, 15,000 deacons, and 6,000 candidates for ordination. The John Jay report also notes that abuse in American society went into decline in the mid-80s and has continued to decline to this day. Statistics show that the numbers of abusers has dropped more quickly in the Church than elsewhere. Last year in the American Catholic Church of 68.2 million members, there were seven credible accusations of abuse of a minor by a priest, which to us is seven too many.
Mr. Rockefeller portrays intrepid lawsuit litigators fighting against a corrupt, abusive church which moved the offending priest without outing, treating, or isolating the abuser. In fact, part of the problem was that child molesters in the 70s and 80s were being treated by a psychological community who then declared them fit for active ministry. Bishops were acting according to the prevailing understanding which sadly proved tragically erroneous. In addition, the general understanding of sexual abuse was that it was a sin and, for Christians, forgiveness and repentance are possible. Once repentant and psychologically treated, it was thought that a person could move on with the understanding that this would not happen again. Similarly, a parent, at that time, who found abuse between an adult family member and a child would not necessarily go to the police, but would rather seek spiritual and emotional help for the perpetrator and victim. Looking back with 20-20 hindsight we can see that these decisions were costly to children and to the credibility of the preaching of the Gospel.
Sexual abuse of a child is an intolerable aberration for which there is no excuse. Much has been done, but the vigilance must continue.
Fr Nicholas Mansell, Pastor St Patrick Catholic Church, Kathleen GA
Fr Pablo Migone, Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warner Robins GA
Deacon Ralph McAtee, St Patrick
Deacon James Roberge, St Patrick
Deacon Kenneth Hutnick, St Patrick
Deacon Candidate Ronald Simons, Sacred Heart
Seminarian Mark Lockard, St Patrick
Seminarian John Wright, Sacred Heart
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