By Kevin Murphy and Helen T. Gray
Kansas City Star
April 15, 2008
http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/578002.html
Catholics in the Midwest welcomed Pope Benedict XVI's pledge Tuesday that the church will "absolutely exclude" pedophiles from the priesthood.
But some couched their comments in skepticism and said they wanted to know exactly what the church planned to do about sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy.
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| Pope Benedict XVI, left, walks with President Bush, center, and first lady Laura Bush, right, after his arrival to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais |
"I believe what he said is spoken with great love and sincerity," said Bonnie Vontz of Kansas City, who formerly taught English at Rockhurst University. "However, I've never heard the specifics of how officials are going to screen for pedophiles. I'm too educated and have been a Catholic way too long to settle for reassurances as opposed to specific information ."
Her husband, Gary Vontz, a business owner, said he was pleased by the pope's stance.
"This puts him on the right track," Gary Vontz said. "He seems to be saying that we've had problems in the past, and he is going to do everything he can to rectify them. He has remorse for the victims, which is good. And he is putting a plan in place to eliminate this problem in the future."
Monsignor Bradley S. Offutt, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, said it was important for the pope to speak out.
"I'm gratified that the pope, in flying toward this country, took the opportunity to personally comment on this issue.
"When he says he feels shame about this issue, this is welcomed," Offutt said. "People need to hear that the Catholic Church is capable of understanding the pain in people's lives and wants to address the causes of this and to see that the church at its very highest level has empathy in the situation. It is very gratifying to me as a priest and as a Catholic."
Offutt said the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph had taken steps early on to set up an independent review board and ensure a zero-tolerance policy. He noted that the diocese required training in the proper behavior toward children, not only of priests but of everyone who potentially could work with children.
"In regards to seminary training, Bishop (Robert) Finn watches this and all aspects of their training like a hawk."
But David Clohessy of St. Louis, who is national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said the pope's words were not reassuring. Clohessy has often come to Kansas City to support those who have filed sexual-abuse cases against priests.
"Soothing words and vague promises don't protect kids," Clohessy said. "Decisive actions protect kids. He's been pope for three years and a high-level Vatican official for 20 years. He's had more than ample opportunity to take practical steps to safeguard kids, and he hasn't."
Clohessy said the pope has "most notably" failed over the years to discipline bishops who knew about abusive priests but kept silent or covered up their behavior.
To reach Kevin Murphy, call 816-234-4464 or send e-mail to kmurphy@kcstar.com, To reach Helen T. Gray, religion editor, call 816-234-4446 or send e-mail to hgray@kcstar.com.
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