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Diocese of Gallup has Strong Commitment to Safety of Children
To the editor,
I’m writing in response to the recent editorial, “The Bishop’s missed opportunity,” in hopes of clearing up some of the misinformation contained therein.
Mrs. Hardin-Burrola states she wanted to bring the showing of “Spotlight” to Gallup to help foster a discussion on preventing abuse in our community. If this truly was her intention, it must be applauded. We appreciated the invitation to participate, but as was made clear to her, the showing fell during the same week as our priests’ retreat in Tucson. Further administrative duties required our Bishop to stay through the next day, and the priests who returned had a week’s worth of work waiting for them. The needs of our parishioners take priority, and while we recognize the importance of public discussion, we are not at the beck and call of the Independent.
The article describing the event and the follow-up editorial both presume that adequate changes have not been made by the Diocese in taking steps to curtail abuse. This is untrue, but I will assume these statements were made in ignorance, and not from any willful distortion of the facts.
If Mrs. Hardin-Burrola truly wishes to promote healing, then this is a laudable goal. But her contribution has, thus far, been through words. This is not to disparage journalism – the events portrayed in “Spotlight” show just how vital truthful journalism is to our society. But a journalist does not get to determine how an organization is run. True and lasting change instead comes from heeding the guidance of professionals, which is just what the Diocese of Gallup does. We continually work with various entities including law enforcement, court systems, and licensed counselors. Our commitment to the safety of children is strong enough that many of the major non-monetary terms of the settlement had already been standard practice for the Diocese for years. This includes reporting abuse. Whenever an allegation is brought to the Bishop, Diocesan officials or employees, it is reported to proper authorities, and the Diocese willingly cooperates with all investigations. This includes a series of healing services, which will be announced publicly when the schedule is finalized. If Mrs. Hardin-Burrola had contacted us about this, instead of speculating in the editorial, we would have happily provided her with information.
To Mrs. Hardin-Burrola and to the public: We are on the same side. None of us has escaped the impact of the abuse scandal. All of us want to work to keep our churches and communities safe for children and other vulnerable people. When the Diocese does not take advantage of a public opportunity to state our commitment, it does not mean that we are not working, each and every day, to rectify the sins of the past. And just because we do not undertake this work in exactly the way a reporter demands does not mean we are deaf to the voices of our brothers and sisters, especially those who have survived abuse.
Suzanne Hammons, Director of communications
Diocese of Gallup
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