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	Memorial to Survivors of Abuse by Priests Dedicated in Grand Mound By Mary Rueter The Observer [Grand Mount] April 26, 2007 http://www.dewittobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2142 A sense of peace descended over a tent in front of SS Philip and James Catholic Church in Grand Mound Sunday afternoon as a memorial to the survivors of sexual abuse by priests was dedicated and blessed. For the men who were violated by those their families trusted most, the monument is a symbol of strength and courage. "I'm just happy the survivors were able to come together and dedicate this monument -not only for ourselves, but also for others who have been unable to come forward yet," said survivor Michael Uhde of Davenport. For Don Green of DeWitt, who was abused by former Grand Mound priest James Janssen, Sunday's ceremony also provided a measure of peace. He called it "a genuine expression of the positive thoughts, efforts and unconditional support survivors and their families have received from Catholics for Spiritual Healing (CSH)." It is that group - formed as members of the Grand Mound Church began to go public about the abuse they suffered as far back as the 1960s - which has helped individuals and families cope with the horrors of the past. As layers of suppressed memories were peeled away, many were devastated to learn the church had known about it all along and done little to prevent it. Now the monument will stand as a reminder that never again will abuse be tolerated, overlooked or ignored. Diana Scott, a spokesperson for CSH, said Sunday was a special day - a day that was long overdue. The dedication is representative of the culmination of steps the group began to take four years ago to prevent the past from becoming the future for any child. "We've learned indifference leads to suffering," she said. Survivor Mike Hitch of Broken Arrow, Okla., said he regrets his 30 years of silence before coming forward with allegations of his abuse by Janssen, who has since been defrocked by the Vatican. "It was an expensive silence paid for by others," he said. It left others vulnerable to harm, and many of them have carried the burden of abuse in silence. "For the victims, it will never be over," he said. "I have forgiven (Janssen), but it is always with me. I still think of Janssen daily." Attorney Craig Levien, who has represented more than 100 survivors of clergy abuse, said it has been an honor to know those men who have had the courage to speak up, seek healing and the protection of the community. He also cited as heroes the families and friends of the survivors who have accompanied them in the journey to seek justice. He especially praised the concerned Catholics who have spoken out and supported the survivors. "James Wells, Michael Uhde and others have confronted the diocese, but their courage prevailed," he said. Levien noted the diocese has chosen the route of bankruptcy, which, in effect, will cut off any recourse for any victim who does not come forward by July. "The survivors will be called names ... stand by us, please. Your support is essential. This is what the church was designed to do," he continued. "The fight is not over. This will not be hidden any more. We will tell the truth and seek justice," he vowed. Steve Theisen, director of Iowa Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called the monument a symbol of hope and challenge for those who are traveling a difficult journey. "Sexual abuse of children is not inevitable," he said. "Rather, it is preventable. Our formative years were taken from us. We never asked to join this club." Theisen said the challenge now is to educate, question and hold accountable, to lead and to change laws for justice in order to make Iowa a safe place for children. "We may tire, but we cannot forget," he reminded. Via a letter to Catholics for Spiritual Healing read by his sister, survivor Al Burke thanked the support group for "reaching out for a lost lamb. "You listened, you did not judge, you did not condemn," Burke wrote. And finally, Father Hitch spoke of being unable to understand how poorly the survivors have been treated for being brave enough to question the hierarchy of the church for concealing knowledge of the abuse. "What happened in the dark has come into the light of day," Father Hitch said as he sprinkled holy water on the monument and invited survivors and supporters to add their blessing as well. It was a day long awaited by Catholics for Spiritual Healing, said member Mary Ann Schanze. She said the group is happy to have touched so many lives and provided some measure of help. In the beginning, she said, "our meetings were long. People had things to say. They needed to cry. "It was an eye opener for many of us, so this day means a lot. This is a moving memorial, and the dedication is succinct. "It says it all." Contact: observer@iowatelecom.net
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