BishopAccountability.org
	It's Deeds Not Words That Begin True Healing. By Paul F. Kellen National Survivor Advocates Coalition February 22, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/editorials/ "We want to be part of a church that puts survivors, the victims of abuse, first – ahead of self-interest, reputation, and institutional needs," O'Malley said. It is unlikely that a third party will be present when a priest sexually abuses a child. So it is often a situation of he says she says. We face a choice between the safety of the child and the reputation of the priest. We need to give the benefit of the doubt to the child. This would appear to be the content of the Cardinal's words. But not his deeds. He has reinstated into parish ministry at least six men who were party to court actions, both criminal and civil, where the plaintiff has prevailed. Does this put children first? "The first step towards any form of healing is to allow the truth to come out," said Martin,…" Is Archbishop Martin only talking about Irish truth? Our Cardinal promised several years ago to publicly identify those who have been accused. We are still waiting. And we may well ask which accused will we hear about, the deceased accused, the credibly(according to O'Malley) accused, the falsely accused or what? "On behalf of the Holy Father, I ask forgiveness, for the sexual abuse of children perpetrated by priests, and the past failures of the church's hierarchy, here and in Rome – the failure to respond appropriately to the problem of sexual abuse," said O'Malley. I haven't found the place in Catholic theology describing the practice of confessing and atoning for the sins of another. Finally, our Cardinal makes a point about his meetings with survivors. Has he listened? I know scores of survivors and most cannot go into a church without reliving trauma, let alone be party to planning a liturgy. Perhaps this the latest event is a strategy of Rasky Baerlein, the diocesan publicity firm. They won a national prize for their work on the Pope/survivor meeting in Washington in 2006. They, after all, only need to make the Cardinal look good not understand the needs of survivors.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.