New Bishop Called to Heal Diocese Wounded by Sexual Abuse Scandal

Kansas City Star
September 15, 2015

http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article35509554.html

Bishop.jpg Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. has a lot of work ahead as leader of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese. Joe Ledford jledford@kcstar.com

James V. Johnston Jr., the newly named Catholic bishop of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, is completely on record about some of society’s most divisive issues.

He opposes the death penalty. He also vocally opposes same-sex marriage. These are long-held positions of Catholic leaders in Missouri, certain to satisfy some and alienate others.

But Johnston isn’t coming here to be a politician. His task is to heal a diocese that has been wounded by clergy sexual abuse scandals and the rigid stances of the previous bishop, Robert Finn.

Johnston, who is coming from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, seems to understand that mission.

“... I believe that the one that truly heals is Jesus,” he said in Kansas City. “And so I see my role... as sort of being a physician’s assistant — to be a person that facilitates some of that healing.”

To do that, Johnston must establish an apparatus for listening to possible abuse victims and evaluating them fairly. He will have to treat sexual abuse as the crime that it is, and place the welfare of victims and the public ahead of the welfare of the church.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said Johnston has passed up opportunities to take a stand against sexual abuse in the church. But Johnston said he understands the crisis and the need “for calling people to responsibility.”

Given the fate of Finn, who was forced into early retirement, it is reasonable to expect Johnston will take the priest abuse situation seriously.

His good record of supporting social justice causes such as Catholic Charities and Catholic Worker should help in the healing. Of all the issues that divide Catholics and all Americans, the call to serve “the least, the last and the lost” remains a unifying mission.