Abuse Survivor Reacts to Church's Healing Services

KMBC
August 17, 2015

http://www.kmbc.com/news/abuse-survivor-reacts-to-churchs-healing-services/34680278

[with video]

The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has begun a series of healing services for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann placed ads and sent letters to people inviting them to the search.

One of the people who received the letters, abuse survivor Michael Sandridge, said the letter contained an apology.

“I am so sorry for what happened to you, and I realize that no words are likely to heal your wounds,” the letter said. “As a small step toward reconciliation, I apologize on behalf of all the priests of this diocese and all the members of our Catholic church for the terrible hurt you have suffered at the hands of someone entrusted with your spiritual care.”

“The only thing the letter does is say, ‘You were right and I’m sorry,’” Sandridge said. "It's too late. It's too late, for me. Do I still believe in God, absolutely, but not so much the Catholic view of it."

Not all victims are accepting the gesture of prayer and some said they consider the healing services to be a PR stunt.

The victim advocacy group SNAP said it wants to make sure everyone in Kansas City knows there are 25 priests in the Kansas City area who have been accused of abuse in criminal or civil court, or been acknowledged by the church.

Of those priests, nine are deceased and one is in jail, the group said.

The next healing prayer service will be at Saint Elizabeth’s Church in September.