The Line in the Sand, by Jennifer Haselberger, Canonical Consultation (June 10, 2015)

Back in June of 2012, when the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis learned of the abuse committed by then-Father Curtis Wehmeyer, chancery officials, clergy, and other interested parties in the Archdiocese were forced to choose sides. Each individual had to choose if they would stand with the boys that had been harmed (along with all of the other individuals who had been hurt by acts of sexual abuse by clergy) or stand with the corrupt, unholy bureaucracy that the Chancery had become. The side one chose dictated one's actions. You either pursued accountability and an almost revolutionary change in the system, or you tried to hide the administrative acts and omissions that led to the abuse. The decision was not academic, and it was not amoral. Siding with the 'church', if you will, meant ignoring or disregarding the suffering of the boys that had been harmed (and their family) and causing additional harm to them by forcing them to substantiate their allegations without support, leaving them without the resources necessary for their ongoing care, and reinforcing the idea that they had somehow deserved or otherwise been responsible for their own abuse.

For some of us, the June 2012 revelations marked a line drawn in the sand. Although convinced long before that the Archdiocese's child protection efforts were a sham, without additional victims (victims that couldn't be deemed ' not credible', that is) those efforts couldn't be called a failure. In June of 2012, however, the failure became obvious to everyone at 226 Summit, the corruption was palpable, and therefore continuing down the same path was no longer an option.

That line in the sand still exists, as does the need to choose sides. You either stand with the boys who have been harmed, or you stand with the Archdiocese. There is no middle road. If you don't believe me, listen to the audio of last week's press conference by the Ramsey County Attorney. At around the 7-minute mark the County Attorney praises those clergy and laity who 'chose to reveal the truth despite its implications'...those who spoke about their knowledge of what occurred, and sadly what has been occurring for many years. The County Attorney spoke of the consequences those individuals could face, and their courage in coming forward. Implicit was a critique of those who have not cooperated, or who have responded to summons or requests for interviews with subterfuge and half-truths.

A close reading of the criminal complaint makes it obvious to those 'in the know' just who these individuals are. It also makes it obvious that the Chancery itself, while claiming to be cooperating, is only doing so in half measures. They might produce a memo or two, but then the third of the series will be missing. They might turn over one page of an email, but the other two pages (including that identifying the recipient) are claimed to be 'privileged' and not disclosed. And, it appears that they have not given investigators the Greene Espel report on the investigation into the Archbishop's conduct. That report would be particularly relevant to the ongoing investigation, especially considering the information it contains regarding the history of Nienstedt's relationship with Curtis Wehmeyer. Certainly had that document been produced it would have been referenced in the complaint.

But, all is not lost. The investigation is ongoing, and it is not too late to contact law enforcement and report what you know. I offer this as an encouragement, and as a word of counsel, to those who think that their unwillingness to participate in the investigation will somehow remain hidden, be praised, or keep them safe. For, while the filing of charges and the status of the investigation as 'ongoing' means that, for now, the information that has been collected cannot be disclosed to those not involved with the investigation, that situation will not continue for much longer. Those who are trying to keep their heads down and avoid trouble should understand that the day will come, most likely in the near future, when these cases are closed and the journalists who have made it their daily task to place public information requests will lumber out the courthouse doors with boxes containing the transcripts of interviews, case notes, etc. Those same documents will appear on websites and blogs, be quoted on TV and radio, and widely discussed by commentators and the faithful. The day will come when everyone will know which side you chose. Choose wisely.

I say this especially to the clergy, who, some would argue, have the most to lose which ever side they choose. No one doubts that there are conflicting concepts of loyalty at work, and various consequences to be wrestled with. Still, I would argue that every priest in this Archdiocese should be picking up the phone and calling Ramsey County (651-266-3102) or the Saint Paul Police (651-266-5702) and offering to answer (truthfully and completely) any questions that might be asked of them (whether you think you know anything of value or not). You should also offer support and character references for those priests who have come forward, especially given that the complaint suggests that the Chancery is planning to throw at least one of them under the proverbial bus (in an example of selective memory that is eerily similar to Archbishop Roach's betrayal of Father Srnec during the Kapoun trial all those years ago). Make the call, and you have demonstrated your solidarity with the victims of sexual abuse and your commitment to eradicating such behaviors from the priesthood. Stay silent, and you become complicit- if not in the abuse itself, then in the allegedly criminal activity that permitted it.

I know that for many priests it isn't easy to do such a thing, and that it is especially difficult for those of you who have lived for many years within the mixed-up reality of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and perhaps have been rebuked before for your criticism or concerns. If you need inspiration- if your courage requires fortification- download Dialogues des carmélites, dust off your copy of 'The Power and the Glory', say a novena, or, if all else fails, remind yourself that your bond of incardination is not to a particular person, bishop or Archbishop, but to the people of this diocese, and that consequently you are bound to spend your lifetime in this community. When the materials from the investigation become public, there will be no place for you to hide. I am not sure that any potential ecclesiastical punishment- real or imagined- could be more difficult than spending the next twenty or thirty years ministering to people who view you with contempt, and who see you are perpetrating a system that placed children at risk.

Choose wisely, my friends, and choose quickly.