The List – February 27, 2019

I knew I would know one priest on the list. But it broke my heart (again) that I knew two.  A friend from Iowa sent me a link to the Des Moines Register story about the Diocese of Sioux City releasing its list of priests credibly accused of sexually assaulting minors. I worked with two of the 28 men on the list.  They are both dead now.  

I worked in the Diocese of Sioux City right out of grad school from 1983-1985. And then, a second time, in a different cluster of parishes from 1990-1994.  In between I worked in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.  One of the priests I worked with in Arizona is serving 111 years in prison for what he did. 

I don’t know who their victims were, but it saddens me deeply to think I didn’t protect them.

Here’s the thing. I worked with these men.  I went to Confession to these men.  I liked them (or who I thought they were).  They did good and admirable things.  And they did horrible, terrible things. 

I didn’t see it. I didn’t stop it. 

I believe — I hope! — that I would see it now, thanks to the training I have received in “Protecting God’s Children.”

But the bishops knew. Some of them knew, anyway.  And they looked the other way.  They minimized the harm done.  They moved the priests around.  They destroyed documents.  They cared more about the priests’ vocation and the church’s reputation than they did for the children and teens harmed. 

Sue Robb, our Pastoral Associate for Justice and Life, tells me, “it all needs to come out…it all needs to come out to the light.” Sue will convene the next gathering of our parish CLANG Group (Clerical Abuse Networking Group) Sunday, March 3 at 9:00am in the Romero Room. ALL ARE WELCOME.  ALL ARE NEEDED.  We will

+discuss the recent conclave in Rome regarding sexual abuse in the church

+ plan continuing dialogue and actions we can take to keep this issue in the forefront of minds and hearts of our clergy

+ continue to work for systemic change.

Change must come.