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	Beatify but Verify NSAC April 29, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/editorials/ First, and always, at the top of our list as the news coverage of the beatification of Pope John Paul II pushes to the crescendo of the actual event, our concern lies with the survivors, their families, and the families of those who committed suicide. These days of increased ink and images of the late pontiff, the pageantry of Vatican ceremony and the anticipated adulating crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday contribute, we know, to the distress levels, consciously and unconsciously for survivors and their families. We ask our readers to be particularly aware as we walk through these days that for survivors there is hurt inflicted, memories surfacing that are unbidden and unwanted, scars gouged in their most searing spots and unsettling pain to be endured as responsibility for not upending an ugly and demonic scandal is written off by defenders of Pope John Paul II’s as a minor irritation dredged up by party spoilers. Why the person with the most power in the Church didn’t act to set into motion resolute reform is a legitimate question that not only needs to be asked but begs to be asked and answered. For those among our readers and their friends and acquaintances who may have difficulty framing this question we highly recommend Jason Berry’s article The Shame of John Paul II: How the Sex Abuse Scandal Stained His Papacy which we are running as part of today’s NSAC News digest. (Mr. Berry has done yeoman’s work in his pursuit of the truth of the sexual abuse scandal in both the book and documentary titled Vows of Silence. We eagerly look forward to his new book Render Unto Rome as he delves into the life of the Church’s money with his exceptional investigative reporting skill). The haunting question of why Pope John Paul did not lift up the innocent victims of sexual abuse by priests and nuns with the dynamism he displayed on other life issues or rid the Church of perpetrators with the vigor of annihilation that he showed toward communism should cling to St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday like volcanic ash. Only truth will clear the air. Sunday’s beatification is estimated to cost 3.5 million Euros the equivalent of 5.1 million US dollars. That would pay a lot of therapy bills for survivors of sexual abuse. Pope John Paul II was the master of the grand stroke, the dramatic, and the unexpected. If beatification is, as the Great Beatifier himself told us, the marking that calls for emulation then may the obvious fall on the closest on Sunday’s grand stage. Because there is so little expectation that Pope Benedict will take industrial strength action in the crisis the beckoning of blessedness upon his predecessor holds unique opportunity. For the current occupant of St. Peter’s Throne this beatification offers the opening for the dramatic: the ultimate coming clean. But by our reckoning Sunday’s ceremony will be a cracking whip on the stampeding race to sainthood. Into Monday’s dawn, we raise the call: beatify but verify. Kristine Ward, Chair, NSAC 937-272-0308/ KristineWard@hotmail.com
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