Not all priest sexual abuse victims think KC diocese prayer and healing services are the answer

By Jeanene Kiesling
KCTV
August 12, 2015

http://www.kctv5.com/story/29774206/not-all-priest-sexual-abuse-victims-think-kc-diocese-prayer-and-healing-services-are-the-answer

St. Thomas More Parish Photo by Andy Sherer

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -

The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is apologizing to victims of sexual abuse while also trying to begin the healing process in the first in a series of prayer and healing services.

The first was Wednesday night at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Those attending got a brochure. It reads “Hope” on the front, but at least one victim doubts the church’s sincerity.

“It's a publicity stunt. I think it’s too little too late," Michael Sandridge said.

Sandridge was sexually abused on a field trip when he was 11. His abuser was his priest at St. Elizabeth.

Sandridge was a plaintiff in a 2014 settlement against the diocese. He said coming forward and seeking justice was hell.

"We were painted as liars and money grubbing.  That was not the case. Originally we didn't even want the money, just to get rid of the people," said Sandridge.

Now he says the same church that called them liars is apologizing and trying to fix what was kept a secret for so long.

Instead of healing services and letters of apology, Sandridge wants justice and wants all abusers across the country to be held accountable.

"To this day there are 59 known pedophile priest still out there. I want the names of those priests published and their parishioners to stop paying their pensions," he said.

Church leaders have faced criticism for covering up the lewd actions of priests. Kansas City earlier this year lost its bishop because of his handling of a predatory priest.

But Catholic leaders say providing a list isn't as easy as it sounds.

"We've had many people ask us to make a list available of priests. When someone has credible accusation of sexual abuse, we have a commitment of first going to law enforcement and then letting law enforcement sort that out and they will either find that person guilty or not guilty," said Carrie Copper with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Cooper works for the local diocese. She maintains that church leaders take every report of sexual abuse seriously, but understands the skeptics, especially those who personally suffered.  She hopes the services help with the healing process.

“As a diocese we want to reach out to those who have felt hurt and harm and want to give them hope that they are cared for and they can come back to their faith," she said.  

Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann is presiding over Wednesday's services. The Vatican continues to look for a replacement for Bishop Robert Finn. The Vatican sought Finn's resignation after he was convicted of a misdemeanor for failing for months to alert authorities to Father Shawn Ratigan having lewd photos of young girls on his church computer.

Earlier this year, Naumann told KCTV5's Brad Stephens why trying to mend all that's been broken is so vital.     

"There's been some polarization within the church. What I hope we can do is begin a process of healing and uniting us a church. I think Jesus, he prayed for that for the church," he said.