By Dustin Lemmon
Quad-City Times
April 23, 2007
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/04/23/news/local/doc462c39d0f1c1f008836726.txt
Grand Mound, Iowa — The monument unveiled outside SS Philip & James Catholic Church on Sunday afternoon symbolizes many things to survivors of sexual abuse, but most of all it's a reminder for everyone not to forget what happened.
Abuse survivor Mike Hitch was among many who thanked an audience of about 100 people for its support over the years, even when it has not been popular among Catholics to speak up for victims of sexual abuse.
He noted that many people present Sunday sat through court trials with victims and showed their support through letters to the bishop.
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| Jim O'Connor releases doves Sunday during a ceremony unveiling a monument dedicated to victims of abuse by clergy at SS Philip & James Catholic Church in Grand Mound, Iowa. Photo by Jeff Cook/Quad-City Times |
"All of these things tell us we are still loved," he said.
Hitch and many others were abused by James Janssen when they were children. Janssen once served at the Grand Mound church.
Hitch and six other survivors of abuse removed the white tarp covering the monument Sunday. In doing so, the men were greeted to loud applause and the snapping of pictures.
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| Mike Rocca, of Tipton, Iowa, applauds at the unveiling of a monument to the survivors of clergy abuse Sunday at SS Philip & James Catholic Church in Grand Mound, Iowa. Photo by Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES |
"No matter how hard I try to forgive and forget, they're still with me," he said of his memories. "Every time you pass this monument, you will always remember like we do."
The granite monument sits on the southwest corner of the church property and features an inscription at the bottom that reads: "Dedicated to our children who survived abuse by those we trusted."
Hitch said those who have supported survivors and construction of the $4,000 monument have helped reduce the likelihood that other children will be abused in the future.
"You've taken a stand to say it will never happen again," he said. "You've brought healing to us, and I thank all of you."
Mike Hitch's brother, David Hitch, pastor at St. Mary's church in Tipton, Iowa, provided the blessing and dedication for the new monument. He said it's his dream that a bishop or other church leader will come forward and tell the story of what "really happened" to cover up the abuse committed by priests like Janssen.
"That for me some day will vindicate this church in my mind, and I can stand here some other time to say how proud I am of this church," he said.
Craig Levien, a Davenport attorney who has represented victims in civil court cases against the Diocese of Davenport, said he's talked to about 100 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. He said within the past week he talked to a man who was abused by Janssen when he was 13. Janssen was the man's Boy Scout leader in the 1950s, Levien said.
Levien urged supporters to stand by victims in the coming year as the diocese bankruptcy case moves through the court system. The diocese filed for bankruptcy last fall.
"It was not our choice," he said of the bankruptcy filing. "It was not necessary."
Steve Theisen, director of Iowa Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said the monument symbolizes hope and the challenges ahead for victims.
"Sexual abuse of children is not inevitable," Theisen told the audience. "It's preventable.
"We may tire of the challenge, but we must not forget."
Theisen led the audience in two moments of silence, one for the victims of abuse who have died and another for children who are being abused today and have yet to come forward.
Arlene Burke McClimon, sister of Al Burke, who is an abuse survivor from LeClaire, read a statement from her brother who was attending his grandson's confirmation in St. Louis. Burke addressed the supporters and thanked them.
"You listened, you did not judge," his statement read. "You did not condemn."
Representatives from area groups that support clergy abuse victims also were on hand for Sunday's unveiling.
"This is a special day for which many of us have waited so long," Diana Scott, a member of Catholics for Spiritual Healing said. "We learned how important it was to put our faith into action. We learned when our children suffer, we can't be indifferent."
David Brownfield, pastor of the Grand Mound church, said the monument is the church's way of supporting those who have been abused.
"I think this will be a great start in our community for healing," he said, "to show support for those who've been harmed by people we trusted."
Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com.
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