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	Springfield Catholic Diocese Holds Repentance Ceremony As Apology for Abuse By Jason Nevel State Journal-Register December 12, 2011 www.sj-r.com/breaking/x931415809/Springfield-Catholic-diocese-holds-repentance-ceremony-as-apology-for-abuse At least two victims of sexual abuse by leaders in the Catholic Church were among roughly 60 people who attended a repentance and prayer ceremony at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Monday. The ceremony, the initiative of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, was for anyone abused by the church, as well as anyone who might have been hurt in other ways by someone in the church, Paprocki said. The purpose of the service was to repent for the past sins of members of the church, so the church could move forward with a clean slate, he said. Monday's ceremony was modeled after a letter written by Pope John Paul II, he said. "We must cleanse our historical conscience," Paprocki said during the ceremony. Sitting in the front row at the cathedral was Matthew McCormick, 42, of Springfield. In 2004, McCormick was one of several people who received settlements from the church for sexual abuse committed by the Rev. Alvin Campbell. In 1985, Campbell, who was a priest at St. Maurice Parish in Morrisonville, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to molestation charges. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and died in 2002. McCormick said he was glad to see the church hold a repentance ceremony, but he still feels the Catholic Church hasn't accepted total responsibility for its actions. He said he thinks Pope Benedict XVI should resign as a step toward the church taking such responsibility. "This is an apology by a bishop for predators that came before him, and I can accept that," said McCormick, who was 12 years old when he was abused by Campbell. "However, accepting responsibility is on a whole different level than apologizing." McCormick said he was aware of only one other sexual abuse victim at the service. Patricia Kornfeld, victim assistance coordinator for the Springfield diocese, said repentance services have been held in other dioceses across the country. Monday was the first such service in Springfield, she said. Victims of any incident connected with someone involved with the church can contact Kornfeld at 321-1155. Contact: jason.nevel@sj-r.com
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