MINNESOTA
KSTP
By: Tyler Berg
A victim of sexual abuse and a former priest convicted of sexually abusing minors came together in an attempt to start a healing center.
The duo and others formed the Gilead Project to purchase the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis’ Chancery building across from the Cathedral of St. Paul. The nonprofit’s effort hasn’t come without criticism from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Susan Pavlak, the president of the project, said the location would serve as a memorial to victims, like herself, and help them with programs for healing.
“The wonderful thing we need to do is show people what the next horizon is in the sexual abuse crisis,” Pavlak said.
One of Pavlak’s partners, Gilbert Gustafson, was convicted of sexual abuse in 1983 when he was a priest.
“I don’t think the sky is falling,” Pavlak said. “I have worked with Gil Gustafson for a number of years.”
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