Church in
Crisis
Reaction mixed to cardinal’s Internet posting of names of
abusers
By JOE FEUERHERD
Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler’s decision to release the
names of more than 50 priests and religious brothers accused of child abuse in
the archdiocese, and to post those names on the archdiocese’s Web site,
was, according to some observers, a welcome display of openness after years of
hierarchical silence. Others called it a gross violation of due process.
The Sept. 25 release included summaries of accusations against the
clergy, including some who are now deceased and others who deny the
accusations.
“After much reflection and prayer -- and following a thorough
review of our records, going back decades -- I have decided that we must be
more open and transparent in our efforts to eradicate this evil within our
church,” Keeler said in a letter to 180,000 archdiocesan households. The
release is in keeping with the “transparency and openness” called for
in the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,”
approved by the U.S. bishops in June, said Keeler.
The release of information received mixed reactions.
Sorrow is widespread. “I think there is a great sense of
sadness among the lay folks when they actually see the name of the priest and
the parishes they were associated with,” said Fr. Richard Bozzelli, pastor
of Corpus Christi Parish, Baltimore. “Once you start putting
names and places together, the immediacy and the palpability of the issue come
forward.”
Anger is apparent. “This left a lot of negative feelings
among the priests and laypeople,” said Fr. William Au, pastor of Sts.
Philip and James Parish, Baltimore. “We need to be open, direct and honest
in dealing with instances of child abuse, but there is a strong feeling among
the clergy that this pendulum has swung to the opposite extreme. Once the
information was covered up to avoid scandal, now the hierarchy is trying to
protect the institution.
“There’s a certain sense of hypocrisy, with bishops
focusing on dealing with the clergy but not focusing on dealing with their
peers,” said Au, noting that no action has been taken against bishops who
moved abusing priests from parish to parish. Baltimore priests are discussing
what steps they might take to protect their rights to due process, said Au.
Meanwhile, Keeler received qualified support from abuse victim
advocates.
Release of the information was “a good idea, and it appears
be bold primarily because no one else has used the Internet this way,”
said Mark Serrano, board member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by
Priests, SNAP. But, said Serrano, “If Cardinal Keeler is truly devoted and
dedicated to openness and transparency, then we need to know more.” At a
minimum, said Serrano, case files and personnel files should be opened to an
independent review panel.
On Sept. 25, Keeler revealed that the archdiocese has paid more
than $4 million, most of it covered by insurance, in the last two decades to
settle abuse-related suits against the church.
National Catholic Reporter, October 11,
2002
|
