DAVENPORT (IA)
Catholic News Service
By Barb Arland-Fye
Catholic News Service
DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) -- In an effort to promote healing, the Diocese of Davenport has dedicated a monument to victims of clergy sexual abuse.
About 50 people, including abuse victims, gathered around the modest monument, called the Millstone Marker, outside diocesan headquarters June 20 for a solemn dedication ceremony of prayers, Scripture readings, songs, blessings and bagpipe music.
Standing beside the millstone that is the monument's centerpiece, Davenport Bishop William E. Franklin said the object could be used in two ways -- it could be helpful or harmful.
He explained that the original use of the millstone was helpful -- as a grinding mechanism used in food production. But, he noted, the stone could also be harmful if it were removed from its support structure and dropped on someone.
He applied that analogy to priests who took a vocation meant to be helpful and turned it into something harmful when they sexually abused people.