BishopAccountability.org
	Mixed Feelings over Pope's Apology By Guy Kovner and Shadi Rahimi Press Democrat April 16, 2008 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/EarlyEdition/article_view.cfm?recordID=9108&publishdate=04/16/2008 Local Catholic clergy, church-goers and critics reacted with sympathy, support and scorn Tuesday over Pope Benedict XVI's comments on the sex abuse scandal that has roiled the nation's largest church for more than 20 years. Following a noon Mass at Santa Rosa's St. Rose Catholic Church, the Rev. Denis O'Sullivan said Benedict's first papal visit to the United States was a chance "to acknowledge again in a very public way what has been done and to speak for the victims." The church is "committed to do all in its power" to keep undesirable people out of the priesthood," O'Sullivan said. "We can't put it on the back burner. Healing happens when we talk with love, care and compassion." Benedict, a German-born cleric who became pope three years ago, said he was "deeply ashamed" by the scandal and it was "difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children." Yvette Fallandy of Santa Rosa, a member of St. Eugene's Parish, said local Catholics regret the scandal but believe Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel Walsh has addressed it. "He has done what he can," Fallandy said. "He can't undo what's happened." Walsh took over the 167,000-member North Coast diocese in 2000, inheriting a 40-year history of crimes against children by priests and cover-ups by former bishops. Walsh himself became embroiled in controversy after failing to quickly report the alleged abuse of the Rev. Xavier Ochoa of Sonoma, prompting an investigation by the district attorney. Walsh eventually was given a counseling diversion program in lieu of criminal charges. Walsh was out of town Tuesday and unavailable for comment. A church representative said he was in Washington, D.C. for the pope's meeting with U.S. Catholic leaders. Don Sebastiani of St. Francis Solano Parish in Sonoma, applauded the pope's remarks. "Fresh air and the light of day are the best medicine," he said, noting child abuse occurs in the church and many other levels of society. And others echoed the remorse of the pope. "We're all deeply saddened by it," said lifelong Catholic Beverly Putnam of Windsor, a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. But critics said the pontiff and the church have not done enough. No bishops have been disciplined for failing to keep abusers away from children, and Cardinal Bernard Law, who was shamed into resignation as archbishop of the scandal-ridden Boston archdiocese, received a high-level post at the Vatican. "I think he (Benedict) is putting the onus on the sick priests who perpetrated the crimes," said Cindy Vrooman of Sonoma, who no longer attends Mass. "He seems to ignore the complicity of the bishops having moved these people around." Vrooman said the U.S. church is deeply divided between those seeking changes, such as the ordination of women as priests, and others who support Benedict's theological rigor. She said signs of the church's woes include the closure of parishes because of the cost of sex abuse settlements and a growing shortage of priests. One woman who was molested by deceased priest Don Kimball at a Healdsbsurg church rectory in 1981 said she had no interest in the pope's remarks. "Nothing he could say would ease the pain," said Ellen, who asked that her last name not be published because she is rebuilding her life. "I can't imagine anything he would have said could do anything to heal anybody." Asked if the church has adequately addressed sexual misconduct, Ellen said: "I'm not really convinced they've done anything." "It's affected me personally," said Rosemary Owens of Santa Rosa after the Mass at St. Rose. She said a family member was abused by a local priest, but her family chose not to reveal it or to file a lawsuit. "We didn't think it was necessary to sue," Owens said. "We're all in a time of healing." David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said the sex abuse crisis is not over. "The pope must focus now not on soothing words and vague pledges, but on tangible action to prevent abuse," he said. "Saying pedophile priests are bad fixes nothing. Disciplining complicit bishops prevents more abuse." Laura Luttinger of Windsor, who was at St. Rose, said the pope's visit brings her hope. "I think it's wonderful that he's coming here," she said. "I wish he could end the war." You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.