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	'Pope Gets Mixed Reviews on Visit By Phil Garber Observer-Tribune April 22, 2008 http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2008/04/22/observer-tribune/latest_news/doc480df82797f34588670825.txt Three longtime veterans of the struggle against sexual abuse of children by priests had sharply, differing opinions about Pope Benedict's meeting with sexual abuse survivors in Washington, D.C. "How can I not feel positive by the fact that he (the pope) has made this the primary focus of his talks?" said the Rev. Kenneth Lasch. Lasch was the longtime, former pastor of St. Joseph Church in Mendham, the scene two decades ago of dramatic revelations about child sexual abuse by a former church pastor, Robert Hanley. Lasch became nationally known for his efforts on behalf of clergy sexual abuse victims. He also became virtually ostracized by the leadership of the Paterson diocese because of his persistent criticism of church hierarchy in not confronting the issue of clergy sexual abuse. The scandal has affected nearly every diocese in America, including several area churches where priests have been removed because of clergy sexual abuse. Thus far, more than 5,000 abusive priests have been reported with more than 13,000 victims. Lawsuits have cost the church more than $2 billion in settlements and legal fees, according to published reports. Lasch struck a much more conciliatory tone than in the past, regarding the pope and the issue of sexual abuse by priests. As part of his five-day trip to the U.S., Pope Benedict XVI spoke for about 25 minutes last Thursday with several victims of sexual abuse by priests in the Boston area. The pope had spoken of his grave concerns over the issue to reporters on his trip from Rome and again at a huge open Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Lasch said he was certain the pope had been genuinely moved by the stories told by the abuse survivors. "No one can listen to the victims and not be touched," said Lasch, who has counseled clergy sexual abuse victims for many years. Lasch said he understood the anger of some who want the pope to hold accountable bishops in the U.S. who permitted priests to continue their roles even though they had abused children. According to a 2002 edition of the Dallas Morning News, two-thirds of American bishops had hidden priests who were sex offenders. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has said that 19 bishops have been accused of harboring priests who has abused children and that three are still in ministry. "The bishops who covered up were never held accountable," Lasch said. "But I am grateful for every inch and every step the pope takes." Lasch said he expects the symbolic gesture of meeting with the survivors will result in creation of some type of papal commission to further look at the issue of abuse by priests. The commission should consider the clerical culture and how the mandate of celibacy impacts on the abuse issue. Lasch said that while celibacy does not cause the sexual abuse of minors, it can create a setting where such abuse can happen. "I want desperately to respect and admire this pope," Lasch said. "I admire many of his qualities. He has the potential to bring the church back to the center." Lasch also said that confrontation and anger will not bring progress in the effort to stop sexual abuse by priests. "If every word of my mouth is angry, we won't go anywhere and we won't have any dialogue," Lasch said. "The general population, which is in denial, will be turned off more." No Progress Mark Serrano has been central in the battle with the Catholic church since the sexual abuse scandal erupted publicly six years ago. Serrano was among the first to talk about the years he was sexually abused as a child at St. Joseph Church by the former pastor, Hanley. He remains a strong advocate for abuse survivors and is one of the leading voices of SNAP. "There is one man on the face of the earth who can make a real difference," said Serrano, who lives in Virginia. "This week, that man let us down. Everyone I know sees the meeting as a public relations stunt with no meaning." Serrano said SNAP had been pressing for a meeting with the pope and several months ago wrote for such a meeting on behalf of the 7,000 abuse survivors in the U.S. Instead, Serrano said, the pope met with a select group and did not inform SNAP in advance of the meeting. "I take nothing away from those who met with him," Serrano said. "But for the pope to come to America for the first time in three years, when the American Catholic church has endured one of the worst scandals in its history and for the pope to address the crisis two or three times and meet with a select group of survivors doesn't result in a safer environment for a single child on earth." "It did nothing," Serrano said. Serrano said the pope should have held the bishops accountable and removed those who have allowed priests to continue after they had abused children. Serrano said one positive of the pope's actions has been that more victims will likely be empowered to report their experiences to authorities and to the church. Ed Sullivan of Morristown has been involved with the New Jersey chapter of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) since 2002. VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group's goals are to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church, according to a statement. Sullivan said the pope's meeting with the abuse survivors was a positive step. "It is facing up to the fact of the problems and beginning to deal with it in a pastoral sense on an individual basis," Sullivan said. "It sets an example for bishops in the U.S. and throughout the world." Sullivan spoke of the "horrendous damage done to young people" and said he was hopeful U.S. bishops will "exercise a pastoral approach rather than a legal approach" in responding to sexual abuse claims. "The pope has done plenty," Sullivan said. "We have to be glad for positive moves. These steps are needs and not the stonewalling and legal battles by the Vatican."
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