BishopAccountability.org
	Protesters Won't Give Kids One Day By Bill Nemitz Portland Press Herald June 2, 2006 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/nemitz/060602nemitz.shtml Her request could not be more reasonable. All Sister Theresa Rand asks is that the protesters outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception take this Sunday off so the parish's kids can receive Confirmation and First Communion in peace. To which Paul Kendrick replied Thursday, "I will be there on Sunday. I can't not do that." Kendrick & Co. are about to make a big mistake in their battle with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland over its refusal to tell all about the church's sexual abuse scandal. Put simply (not to mention ironically), they're taking their anger out on the children. Every Sunday since last August, a handful of protesters have set up on the sidewalk outside the Portland cathedral with signs urging Bishop Richard Malone to release the names of any priests or other church personnel who have been credibly accused of molesting children over the years. Typically, some passers-by support them. Others don't. Some ignore them. Others tell them to take it somewhere else. To date, nobody's been hurt or arrested. It was against that backdrop that Sister Theresa wrote Kendrick last month on behalf of "the parents and grandparents of many of our children, but most especially our children who are preparing for reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist." Her plea: that Kendrick discourage "any persons bearing statements regarding the Bishop's stand" on the sexual abuse scandal from showing up outside the cathedral this Sunday. "If your representation is truly because of a concern for the children, we ask you to consider our request on their behalf," Sister Theresa continued. "Their parents and grandparents know your concern, but they hope to have a prayer-filled experience with the children. Thank you for prayerfully considering our request!" Or not. This week, Kendrick wrote back telling Sister Theresa that the demonstration would go on as usual. In an interview Thursday, he said the protesters consider it their obligation to keep the spotlight on the church scandal until Malone relents and starts naming all of the accused. As for sparing the children this once, Kendrick said, "When the Holy Spirit comes into them, they are being called to respond to the world around them." In other words, let's forget that these kids are just as young and innocent as many who were abused. There's a battle to be fought - and from where Kendrick stands, there's no reason a 10-year-old shouldn't set down his or her catechism and pick up a picket sign. At the very least, Kendrick said, "I would hope the parents take the time to explain to the kids why we're there." That's not likely to happen Sunday. Rather than stand down out of support for the kids and in the process attract a few converts to their cause, the protesters will succeed only in angering the very congregation they want to win over. Sister Theresa was out of her office and couldn't be reached Thursday. But Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the diocese, said after reading the nun's letter that it was "very reasonable and respectful," and that it was Sister Theresa's "absolute right to ask for this . . . on the most special day in the life of these children's faith." Amen. Columnist Bill Nemitz can be contacted at 791-6323 or at: bnemitz@pressherald.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.