BishopAccountability.org
	Tom O'Connell: Church, Lawmakers Fail Victims of Child Molestation By Tom O'Connell The Capital Times [Madison WI] June 18, 2007 http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/197647 Recently the Diocese of Madison has taken action against Kenneth Klubertanz, a priest who has been accused by the church itself as a child molester. Among the steps being taken, he can no longer present himself publicly as a priest, conduct Mass, or administer sacraments. He must also stay away from children under 18 years of age. The diocese refuses to give information regarding his whereabouts, counseling received or other information. While this is a small step by the church in addressing the problem of child molestation, it is not nearly enough. Not only did this current action against Klubertanz take years, the church continues to blanket itself in secrecy as to the actions being taken to address the vast problem of child molestation and the lack of support for victims of such awful crimes. Today, in a study conducted by the Catholic Church itself, there are roughly 5,000 priests across the entire country who have been credibly accused of molestation but whose identity and current status remains unknown. These priests may be still practicing in local parishes, having direct contact with children; may have left the priesthood and moved to neighborhoods where they may be continuing molesting habits; or may be deceased. We simply do not know as the church continues to hide or transfer these individuals. When these priests leave the priesthood, the church simply washes its hands of them and passes the molestation problem on to a larger society to deal with it. Sadly, I have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of molestation survivors around the country. Their stories are full of hardships for these individuals and their families. Sickness, depression, and suicide are common for decades after the crimes have been committed. Clergy abuse not only impacts children on a physical and psychological level, but it has also severely damaged their spiritual life as well. While we have all been taught to "go to our clergy" for help in grave situations, who do these people turn to now? Bishop Robert Morlino states the diocese has a heavy heart for the victims of clergy molestation. And even though the bishop is the highest official within the diocese and responsible for pastoral care, I wonder how many victims he or other bishops have actually met face to face to offer this care. Sadly, our experience has shown that the answer is probably few if any. We must also ask why Klubertanz is allowed to roam freely when he committed such a terrible crime. The answer is that the state of Wisconsin has statute of limitation laws that actually protect child molesters. Children often bury the abuse and cannot even acknowledge it until years after. By then the laws say it is too late to file charges and the molesters are permitted to roam freely -- too often committing yet further acts of violence against children. Parents and all other citizens must demand our state legislators take a proactive step in changing these laws to ensure molesters are kept away from children. Regarding the Catholic Church, please know that I truly believe the vast majority of priests are very good and are answering a unique calling to serve. It is the names and reputations of these good men that deserve much better than being associated with those who commit acts of violence against children. It is the hierarchy of the church, the bishops and cardinals, who have continued to set the rules that provide secrecy and protection for child abusers. It is the hierarchy that has created such a cloud of secrecy that people are leaving the church, youths have become distant, and vocations are suffering severely. It is the hierarchy that has yet to hold itself accountable for the molestation problem. It is from this same hierarchy that parishioners must demand change so the Catholic Church can begin the healing process and provide a spiritual resource for generations to come. I ask that all citizens contact your legislators to change the statute of limitations for child molesters. And I ask that Catholics unite and demand change from the hierarchy that allows secrecy. It bothers me that the church continues to protect molesters and that some of the monies that I donate to the church can be used to fight against stronger molestation laws or even support criminal priests in their practicing or retired careers. Tom O'Connell is a Cross Plains resident. His brother, Dan O'Connell, was murdered in 2002 in Hudson, Wis., by a priest who Dan found out was molesting children. Since then, O'Connell and his family have been actively involved in seeking reform within the church to address this issue.
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