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	Give the Laetere Medal to Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse National Survivors Advocates Coalition April 30, 2009 http://nsacoalition.org/ The National Survivors Advocates Coalition today called upon the president of the University of Notre Dame to give the Laetare Award of 2009 to the victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy. The coalition released the full text of its letter to Notre Dame president, Father John I. Jenkins, C.SC. and the prayer referenced in the letter. Former United States Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon declined the Laetere Medal on Monday. Father Jenkins said Monday the University does intend to select another recipient for the 2009 Laetare Medal. April 30, 2009 Feast of St. Catherine of Siena Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C President 400 Main Building University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556 Re: Laetare Medal Dear Father Jenkins: This letter is a request to you that the University of Notre Dame give the 2009 Laetare Medal to the victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy. Their numbers are unknown but their outcast status in the Church rivals Dorothy Day’s. They are Kennedyesque profiles in courage. In the time before their innocence was stripped from them their core loyalty to the Church was tantamount to Mary Ann Glendon’s. It is our understanding the Laetare Medal carries the inscription “Magna est veritas et prevalebit,” translated “Truth is mighty, and it shall prevail.” We know the truth of the clergy sexual abuse scandal because of the courage of its victims. It is the truth, the Lord taught us, that will set us free. It is our understanding that candidates for the award must be practicing American Catholics who have made a distinctively Catholic contribution in their professional or intellectual lives. . There are survivors of clergy sexual abuse who remain practicing Catholics. It is both surprising and a testament to what is right, just and holy in the faith. Indeed the victims of clergy sexual abuse have made distinctively Catholic contributions in standing up with the courage that is a gift of the Holy Spirit to provide understanding, wisdom, fortitude and good counsel to all of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also remarkable that they are able to have professional and intellectual lives given their suffering and its consequences. No acceptance speech is necessary for the victims.Their lives speak volumes. We enclose a Prayer for the Survivors and Those Who Did Not Survive. In the five minutes allotted for the Laetare Medal recipient’s speech, the prayer and a full throated ringing of the chapel bells with the entire assembly asked to stand may serve to impress the 2009 Notre Dame graduating class the importance of a lifelong standing up for justice no matter who stands against you. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely. National Survivor Advocates Coalition Prayer for the Survivors and Those Who Did Not Survive Good and gentle Shepherd, Sweet Spirit of God, Creator divine, in your infinite tenderness comfort the survivors of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy. Deliver them from sorrow, anoint them with hope, sustain them with the Body of Christ, Take to Your sacred heart those who have committed suicide. Make of us ambassadors of Your justice, Your lifting of the oppressed and Your desire for all of us to live and move and have our being in Your abundant grace. Amen. Contact: Kristine Ward 937-272-0308
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