Memorial to Child Victims of Church Sex Abuse, Destroyed Twice, to Be Rededicated Sunday
By Louis C. Hochman
A ceremony to rededicate the memorial to child victims of clergy sex abuse that was destroyed twice in two years will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. The ceremony comes near the end of April, recognized as Child Sex Abuse Awareness month. It will be held outside at St. Joseph Church in Mendham, where former Rev. James Hanley once abused several children. Authorities are still working to determine who vandalized the memorial to child sex abuse victims in early March, when a statue of a girl alongside a millstone was destroyed, and a statue of a boy was damaged. Morris County Crimestoppers is offering $2,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest or indictment of the responsible person or people; anyone with any information can call CrimeStoppers at 973-Cop-Call or 1-800-Sheriff. Organizer Bill Crane, one of Hanley's victims, led the drive to create the monument in honor of James Kelly, another victim of Hanley's who committed suicide at age 37. Crane then led the effort to replace it, after borough resident Gordon Ellis allegedly took a sledgehammer to the monument in 2011. Ellis is pursuing a mental health defense in relation to the 2011 vandalism. Repairs to the memorial will not be complete by the time of the ceremony, but Crane has said the symbolism of the shattered girl statue could be powerful — as this third dedication will focus on female victims of clergy abuse. Angela Rose of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE) will travel from Washington, D.C. to address those gathered Saturday. Her organization's mission it to use "education and action to shatter the silence of sexual violence through targeted social, educational and legislative tactics." New York City sex crimes prosecutor Jill Starishevsky, whose parents live in Chester, will address the crowd as well. Her book, "My Body Belongs to Me," has been adapted into an animated movie. Crane has said he also invited Gov. Chris Christie, gubernatorial challenger State Sen. Barbara Buono and Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Patterson to the ceremony, but has not gotten replies. Hanley was defrocked and removed from his role at St. Joseph in 2003 after admitting he sexually abused about a dozen child parishioners in Mendham and Pompton Plains between 1968 and 1982. Hanley had been accused of victimizing several more children; in 2004, the Diocese of Paterson settled lawsuits with 21 of Hanley's accusers for nearly $5 million. St. Joseph's Church allowed the memorial to be placed at its property as part of an effort to heal from the damage priests such as Hanley have caused. Crane said St. Joseph's Church has been an active and helpful partner in the efforts to have the memorial restored. A reception will follow the rededication across the street from the church, at the Black Horse Inn.
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.