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	Persons, Places and Things: Holy Spirit Lifts Cloud By Barb Arland-Fye Catholic Messenger May 30, 2008 http://home.catholicweb.com/CathMessDavDio/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=233731&From=Home Remember that character from the Charlie Brown comic strip, who always had a dark cloud hanging over his head? It seems like that same cloud emerged over the Diocese of Davenport in 2002, when the national crisis in the Catholic Church swept into our diocese, too. The dark cloud expanded into a fog when the diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2006, after a jury awarded $1.5 million to Michl Uhde, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, and more lawsuits were waiting in the wings. The sense of misery was palpable. Survivors of abuse were struggling to come to terms with what had happened to them so many years ago. The memories had been too painful to deal with and had been locked away. Some of us who had not been abused felt mixed emotions — compassion for the survivors, but resentment for those who seemed to be trying to destroy our church. Would the diocese survive? Yes, it has. After 18 months of bankruptcy proceedings — punctuated by acrimony — the fog has been lifted and the cloud had dissipated. On April 30, Judge Lee Jackwig confirmed approval of the diocese's plan for reorganization and its $37 million settlement with the survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Euphoria is not too strong an emotion to describe the reaction of those gathered in the courtroom. The creditors' attorneys hugged one another; diocesan bankruptcy attorney Dick Davidson beamed. Diocesan officials also smiled broadly and shook hands with the creditors' attorneys. Everyone complimented one another on a job well done. The next morning, Bishop Martin Amos called a meeting to personally share the good news with his staff at diocesan headquarters. He was appointed to lead this diocese just two days before it filed for bankruptcy. For many, his presence represents a fresh start. He's getting a lot of compliments for his sensitive approach to the abuse issue. Uhde said during the April 30 hearing that he's especially pleased at the bishop's willingness to implement non-monetary measures aimed at healing survivors, punishing perpetrators and protecting children. Some of the measures already are in place, diocesan officials say. Now it's time to rebuild as a church. But for those who work at the St. Vincent Center — diocesan headquarters — a cloud of uncertainty looms. By the end of this month the diocese must transfer its deed for the property to the settlement fund. Chancery staff won't have to move at that point, but they'd like to know where they're going to be six months from now. So would the retired priests, who have apartments at St. Vincent's. That cloud, too, shall pass. The church has survived plenty of human failings, with all credit going to the Holy Spirit, our Advocate. This Pentecost Sunday we honor the work of the Advocate, who strengthens us in our journey of faith and can blow any cloud away.
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