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  Settlement Leaves Questions Unanswered

By Harry Hitzeman and Tona Kunz
Daily Herald [Illinois]
May 11, 2007

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/kanestory.asp?id=311935&cc=k&tc=&t=

Supporters of Monsignor Joseph Jarmoluk hope Thursday's civil lawsuit settlement will allow the entire church and Mark Campobello's sexual abuse victims to move forward.

But others aren't so sure.

"I don't think this is the end, and that's sad," said Geneva parishioner Frank Bochte.

The case has created a deep rift among some parishioners since Campobello was arrested in 2002.

Supporters of the two girls who accused Campobello of abuse say they have been followed and harassed as recently as Thursday for asking that St. Peter's officials be more open about their role in the case. The girls accused parish and diocese leaders of missing numerous opportunities to stop Campobello.

Supporters of church leadership say that is untrue.

Angela Pavelich, a Geneva resident and parishioner, said she believes Jarmoluk has been the one "harassed" on a daily basis over the past years because of the Campobello case, but his leadership never wavered.

"He has been a role model of dignity in handling this. He's not faltered. He has not missed one step," she said.

The only way to find out who is right and put an end to the debate, Bochte said, is to unseal the legal depositions and evidence that would have come to light if the case had gone to trial instead of being settled.

"The only way healing is ever going to take root is for all the facts to be disseminated so the parishioners can judge for themselves," he said.

St. Peter officials said Jarmoluk had not yet set a date to talk to the parish about the settlement.

Geneva resident Paul Schneider was one of 15 parishioners at a March press conference to voice their support for Jarmoluk on behalf of the church's "silent majority."

Thursday, Schneider said he still supports Jarmoluk.

"At this particular time, Father Joe is the best person to be there," Schneider said. "He absolutely gives 100 percent and even with his own problems, he's ready to give to other people and be pastor of the church."

Schneider believes a small contingent at the church is after Jarmoluk in part because his hands-on leadership style ruffled feathers when he initially took over.

"I'm firmly behind Father Joe. I think he's gotten raked over the coals for nothing in the (news)papers," Schneider said. "Father Joe is too much of a gentleman, too much of a pastor to say this, but if they're so unhappy, the should go elsewhere, start a new church, whatever. They should leave the rest of us in peace."

Mary Lu O' Halloran, a Geneva resident who attends daily Mass at St. Peter, said she hopes the settlement brings the victims peace and helps the parish move on, but said that can't happen immediately. The church first needs to learn to talk about hot issues like dealing with abuse instead of becoming polarized and negative.

"Our Catholic campus should be safe for everybody," she said. "We need to change our thinking on (reporting abuse), it doesn't mean you are meddling. It means you are saving lives."

Bishop Thomas Doran ordered Jarmoluk in September 2006 to dismiss his personal attorney and stop production of a documentary, radio show and Web site message board by CTLNYC. Critics of the site complain it used anonymous comments to criticize and name the victims, their families and their supporters. Jarmoluk has said he did not fund the programs. As of Thursday the Web site was still operational and discussing St. Peter.

 
 

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