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	Archbishop Dolan and Priestly Abuse By Donna Freitas Washington Post May 18, 2010 http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/stubborn_catholic/2010/05/on_archbishop_dolan_and_priestly_abuse.html Yesterday, late afternoon, I took The New York Times (yes the one printed on actual paper--I get it every morning) to one of my regular evening spots where I go on nice days for a glass of wine, some pasta, and to do some reading. My intent was to take in The New York Times' whopping front page story, "On Archbishop Dolan and Priestly Abuse," by Serge Kovaleski, that chronicles Archbishop Dolan's long history navigating both victims and perpetrators over the years. Supposedly, Archbishop Dolan is one of the "good ones" when it comes to bishops responding to accusations of abuse within Catholic parishes in the U.S. The article talks of his crying along with victims and of marathon listening sessions he has led in the past where victims can come and speak out about their experiences. This at least sounds like a good start, and having a bishop listen with a sympathetic ear and open heart is certainly preferable to the terrified, "please go away" look that many victims have received when recounting their stories of abuse to those in power. But in this lengthy article, Archbishop Dolan seems to be awfully wishy-washy in his dealings with victims and perpetrators, one day adamant about discussing the crisis openly with parishioners, the next day quickly shutting the doors to conversation on the very same issue. One day offering his sympathy and the next turning his back. And Archbishop's support of an accused priest suing a victim for defamation about abuse allegations (because in Archbishop Dolan's "gut" he felt like the priest was telling the truth at the time--a situation that turned out to be a giant mess for all involved) made me queasy. Even more upsetting were Archbishop Dolan's remarks in retrospect about how "he now knew that abusive priests could be deceptive, and that he should not 'trust my gut.'" Really and truly? You didn't know about the deception before? At the very core of priestly abuse is profound deception. It's how priests get away with horrid abuse while still maintaining a good, godly, and asexual aura around them. How could a man with so much power overlook such a basic aspect of the abuse all around him? I'd like to know. And Archbishop Dolan is my archbishop now, so I'd really like him to expand on this. I finished this article feeling confused and uneasy and trying to understand what I was supposed to take from such a profile. It's not easy being an Archbishop? Or, is it the chilling idea that, well, here's one of the good Archbishops--and when you look closely, he's not all that great, is he? Or, is it, look how complicated it will be for the Catholic Church to deal with this mess, when these are the sort of leaders in charge of cleaning it up? All of the above? Needless to say, it was not the most enjoyable stint at my evening locale. Next time I'm bringing Rhoda Janzen's Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, which I am currently reading, and which at least assures me a good laugh in addition to wonderful writing.
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