BishopAccountability.org
	Why I Hate Writing about Clergy Abuse By Stephanie Innes Arizona Daily Star July 30, 2007 http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/desertbeliefs/5079/ Tucson (AZ) — After the local diocese emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2005, I thought it was all over. It nearly was. Last week I reported on a criminal investigation that had opened, looking into alleged abuse by the Rev. Kevin Barmasse, and that led to today's story about the monitoring of suspended priests like Barmasse who were never criminally convicted. Why is it difficult to write such stories? They are necessary, but no one likes them. The feedback I tend to get is full of vitriol. Even some of the victims don't want to talk about the cases anymore. They are ready to move on. Also, the diocese routinely looks like the bad guy and the reality is more complicated. Our diocese was one of the first in the country to make public a list of clergy with credible accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor against them and has taken huge steps to prevent future abuse. A major, positive aspect of today's story was reminding the public of that list, and where to access it. The problem with clergy abuse in general stems from practices more than 30 years ago that would never be accepted today – abusers moving around from diocese to diocese and leaders thinking they could be 'cured.' And public awareness of child sexual abuse was not nearly what it is today. Tucson was particularly hard-hit by the abuse crisis because in the 1970s and 1980s it was a remote place where the abusive priests were often transferred. There have been no reported cases of abuse occurring in the local diocese since 2002. That recent case involved the Rev. Juan Guillen of Yuma, who is now in prison. There is a much greater awareness of child sexual abuse now than there was in the 70s or 80s, and the prevention measures are tremendous. Paul N. Duckro, who is in charge of the diocese's office of child protection, has been under enormous stress since taking his job shortly after the national scandal erupted in 2002. He has also done an enormous amount of work. Lately, he has been ill with ulcers but continues to go into work everyday and willingly and candidly speaks to the press about what the diocese is doing. I recently told a friend about my Barmasse stories in a general conversation about my work. She asked me why I was writing about such an old, passe subject. It was an interesting point. However, these stories must be written. One cannot ignore a criminal investigation into clergy abuse no matter how old the case. It is my hope that after the Barmasse story and that of the Rev. Gary Underwood, who is being prosecuted for allegations that he abused boys in the 1980s, the local abuse cases will end. But will religion writers ever stop reporting on the abuse crisis? No. David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests says the most dangerous scenario would be forgetting about what happened. He is concerned complacency is already occurring. And as I wrote in my blog about Barmasse victim Jim O'Brien – "Compensating a Broken Spirit," for the victims, the effects will endure for a lifetime.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.