Abuse Victims Pope Is Listening, My Fox Tampa Bay, April 21, 2008

Abuse Victims: Pope Is Listening

My Fox Tampa Bay
April 21, 2008

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6358446&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

TAMPA - Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the U.S. has left a lasting impression - most notably on those who may have needed it the most.

Chris McCafferty, from St. Petersburg, is commending the Pope. He is one of thousands who were sexually abused by priests.

The Pope said he was ashamed of the sex scandal involving priests.

"I thought it took a big effort for him to acknowledge that what was happening in the U.S. was severe," McCafferty said.

Thousands of molestation claims have been filed against the Catholic Church since the sex scandal first came to light in 1992. Pope Benedict said he was deeply ashamed by the betrayal.

When he met with five victims of abuse in New York, McCafferty was stunned.

"I think that was a turning point for most victims - that the acknowledgement was said," he told FOX 13.

McCafferty was 11 when he says Robert Schaeufele, a priest at Sacred Heart Church in Pinellas Park, molested him.

Schaeufele is now serving 30 years in prison.

McCafferty said priests and sex abuse is a huge problem, but he said it's not the only issue. He points to teachers and senators, and others in position of authority. He said something needs to be done to fix the problem.

McCafferty is happy with the way the Catholic Church is handling this issue. They are requiring more background checks and offering more schooling for priests.

"It's getting the job done, one day at a time," he offered.

There is a local support group for people who've been victimized by clergy called The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.