Sins & Silence
Betrayal & Response: Sexual Abuse by the Clergy

Telegraph Herald of Dubuque, Iowa
March 5-12, 2006
with earlier coverage and reader reaction

This version of the Telegraph Herald’s Sins & Silence series was developed by BishopAccountability.org from two invaluable resources: an online version of the series created by Bob Schwiderski, Minnesota State Director of SNAP, and a PDF of the series provided by Steve Theisen, Iowa State Director of SNAP. BishopAccountability.org would like to thank Mr. Schwiderski and Mr. Theisen for their help with this project.

When an article or letter in the series refers to another article or a document, BishopAccountability.org has added a link.

• Archdiocese to Pay Victims $5 Million: Hanus Apologizes for Priests' Sexual Abuse, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (2/22/06)
• 'Great Silence' Finally Ends for Abuse Victim, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (2/22/06)
• Public Apology by Archdiocese of Dubuque, by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, O.S.B., reprinted in the Telegraph Herald (2/22/06)
• 'Sins and Silence' Examines Offenses and Response: Week-Long Series Begins on Sunday, by Brian Cooper, Telegraph Herald (2/28/06)

Sunday, March 5, 2006—A Culture of Catholicity

• Trusted Priests Betrayed Innocents, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/5/06)
• Culture of Catholicity in the Area Made Discussion of Incidents Taboo, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/5/06)
• Amid the Dark Stories, Reason for Optimism: Accounts of Betrayal Are Accompanied by Reports on Church's Proactive Response, editorial in the Telegraph Herald (3/5/06)

Monday, March 6, 2006—Victims Tell Their Stories

• Victims Recall Abuse: Men Recount How Priests Befriended, Abused Them, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/6/06)
• Girls Also Victims of Molestation by Catholic Priests, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/6/06)

Tuesday, March 7, 2006—Unholy Fathers

• Haunted by Shame: Ex-Priest's Abuse in 1950s Still Troubles Victims, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/7/06)
• Just 3 Accused Priests in Diocese Still Alive, Telegraph Herald (3/7/06)

Wednesday, March 8, 2006—Raising the Bar

• Evaluation Intense: Screeners Look for Risk Factors, by Erik Hogstrom, Telegraph Herald (3/8/06)
• Abusive Priests, Other Sex Offenders Differ, by Erik Hogstrom, Telegraph Herald (3/8/06)

Thursday, March 9, 2006—Are the Children Protected?

• Policy Guides Action: Abuse Policies Already in Place, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/9/06)
• The Archdiocese Has Paid Nearly $6.7 Million to Settle Abuse Cases since 1950, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/9/06)

Friday, March 10, 2006—The Effect on the 'Good and Holy'

• "A Brighter Future": Priesthood Also Needs Healing, by Mary Rae Bragg, Telegraph Herald (3/10/06)
• Parishes Encounter Challenges to Their Faith: 1 Active Catholic Finds the Cover-Up Very Difficult to Reconcile, by Mary Rae Bragg, Telegraph Herald (3/10/06)

Saturday, March 11, 2006—The Support Groups

• Groups Offer Support, Healing: Victims of Abuse by Clergy Find Help, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/11/06)

Sunday, March 12, 2006—Apology and Forgiveness

• Act of Contrition: Empathy Guided Apology by Archbishop, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/12/06)
• Forgiveness Not Coming Easily for Abuse Victims, by Mary Nevans-Pederson, Telegraph Herald (3/12/06)
• Priest Abuse, Cover-Up Won't Happen Again: The Scandal That Rocked the Catholic Church Has Brought About Change, editorial in the Telegraph Herald (3/12/06)

• Readers React to Series on Abuse, Response: Full Range of Opinions on 'Sins and Silence', by Brian Cooper, Telegraph Herald (3/14/06)

Letters to the Editor

• TH Favors Catholics? by Delphine Huber (3/11/06)
• No Need to Repeat Stories on Abuse, by Libby Streinz (3/13/06)
• Priests a Positive Influence, by Rick Udelhofen (3/14/06)
• Satan Has Ally in the TH, by Rita Arensdorf (3/15/06)
• Victims Have Needs, Too, by Evelyn Wiegel (3/15/06)
• TH Series Serves No Benefit, by Travis J. Tranel (3/17/06)
• Why Complaints about TH Series? by the Reverend Thomas P. Doyle, O.P. (3/19/06)
• TH Series Overlooks Issue of Bishop Accountability: Catholics Should Demand More of the Hierarchy, by James Giesen (3/19/06)
• Series Shallow, Exploitative Attack on the Church: Sexual-Abuse Problem in Catholic Church Is Infinitesimal; Victims Should Move On, by Guy Woodward (3/19/06)
• Story of Abuse Needs to Be Told, by Vinnie Nauheimer (3/19/06)
• TH Owes 8 Days of Good Stories, by Rev. Dwayne J. Thoman (3/21/06)
• Victims Demonstrate Courage, by Joyan Holdridge 3/22/06)
• Change Focus on 'Vicious' Acts, by Mary C. Dunford 3/22/06)
• TH Series Might Help Heal Wounds, by Evelyn H. Vondran (3/23/06)
• TH Critics' 'Compassion' Hollow, by Sheila Dreckman (3/24/06)
• Church Fails the People and God (3/25/06)
• The Silence Speaks Volumes, by Jason Berry (3/25/06)
• Truth Needs to Be Told about Sexual Abuse, by Melissa Mills (3/26/06)
• More Victims Yearn for Justice, by Catherine Holtz (3/26/06)
• Commend TH, Don't Condemn It, by Hillary Nelson (3/27/06)
• Most Victims Know Their Abusers, by Richard Vorwald (3/31/06)

This series contains copyrighted material originally published by the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa and subsequently reposted by SNAP. In accordance with Fair Use, BishopAccountability.org has reposted this and other material without profit for members of the public who are interested in this material for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from BishopAccountability.org for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. If you have questions regarding some of the material posted on this Web site you may contact us at staff@bishop-accountability.org.