UNITED STATES
Palm Beach Post
By Steve Gushee
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 17, 2006
Money was never going to buy redemption for the Roman Catholic Church in its sex scandal. Money doesn't heal.
When the church takes responsibility for abusive priests, acknowledges attempts to cover up crimes, embraces victims with compassion and begins to work for prevention, healing begins. To his great credit, one bishop has done that. More may follow.
Bishop William Skylstad of the Diocese of Spokane, Wash., recently announced a settlement with 75 people who claimed priests sexually abused them.
The diocese paid them $46 million. Money is a way to keep score in our society and is an inevitable part of many settlements, but it will not mend relationships, restore trust or plant seeds of hope.