Controversy and the Catholic Church, by Jessica Novak, Examiner, March 4, 2008

Controversy and the Catholic Church

By Jessica Novak
Examiner
March 4, 2008

http://www.examiner.com/a-1256768~Controversy_and_the_Catholic_Church.html

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Baltimore Archbishop Edwin O'Brien is leading local Catholics in a time when the book "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" is a national best-seller, sex-abuse accusations against priests are still headline-grabbing news, and Maryland pregnancy centers supported by the Catholic Church are accused of dissuading women from abortions with misleading and inaccurate information. O'Brien, 68, took on Baltimore archbishop responsibilities in October 2007.

Archbishop Edwin Frederick OBrien: In Maryland, the Church has reached out and will continue to reach out to victims by providing counseling and other direct assistance, not because some law requires us to, but because it is the right thing to do as a church.
Photo by Kristine Buls

Since 1990, he's held the title of auxiliary bishop of New York, titular archbishop of Thizica and, lastly, archbishop for the military services of the United States. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., O'Brien earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a master of divinity degree and a master of arts degree from St. Joseph's Seminary and College (N.Y.) and received a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In the early 1970s, his experiences as a West Point priest inspired him to enlist as an Army chaplain, placing him in Vietnam combat to attend to soldiers' spiritual needs.

Are you relieved House Bill 858, which would have lifted the statute of limitations on child sex-abuse civil cases, died in the committee?

This was the fifth time in the past six years that a bill such as this was introduced and rejected by lawmakers in Maryland. I am pleased that this bad and unfair law was not passed. Similar legislation is being pursued in states all over the country by trial lawyers who have already received approximately $720 million as a result of lawsuits against the Catholic Church. In Maryland, the church has reached out — and will continue to reach out — to victims by providing counseling and other direct assistance, not because some law requires us to, but because it is the right thing to do as a church.

If the bill had been passed, what effect would it have had on the Church?

Our parishes are filled with wonderful and committed priests, religious and lay people. They work every day to spread the gospel, teach our children and help those in need. Quite simply, if the bill had passed, it would have had a devastating effect on the ability of the church to support and pursue this important good work. While embarrassed by my church's actions and inactions many years ago, I am proud of our extensive efforts to ensure the safety of every child, the healing of every victim. This bill would not have punished anyone actually guilty of child abuse. Instead, the innocent would have been forced to pay. After a similar measure passed in California several years ago, claims against the church already total nearly $1.8 billion, and six dioceses have filed for bankruptcy.

What do you say to victims who have been unable to find closure?

The first thing I say is, "I am sorry." As a church we cannot say this enough. In my conversations with victims, I have heard over and over that there is nothing that anyone can do to undo the harm that was done to them. This is the sad reality and one that motivates us to do all we can to provide for their future healing, as well as for that of their family members. I have been gratified to hear from victims how helpful this counseling is. Fortunately, there is always an opportunity for justice in Maryland because we live in a state with no statute of limitations on felonies.

What is the archdiocese doing to help sex-abuse victims?

We have one of the most aggressive programs you'll find anywhere in encouraging victims to come forward. Every hint is tracked down, and I have met with victims, with relatives of victims, and said if you know anybody else who has been abused, please come forward. I have an obligation to see that we pursue every possible vehicle to bring help to the victims and justice to those [who committed abuse]. We offer free and indefinite counseling to any victim, [and] we have a full-time person who is a coordinator in touch regularly with victims. We have a very stringent screening program for every employee of the archdiocese, and for volunteers as well. And we insist on that, we make no exceptions.

When did you learn Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. John Thomas Matthew Lee, whom was under your command, had HIV, forced himself on a Naval Academy midshipman, coerced a Marine who he was counseling to take nude photos of him and had sex with an Air Force officer without disclosing his deadly illness?

The Archdiocese for the Military Services first learned about this on June 22, 2007, when Chaplain Lee informed the archdiocese that he had been told by U.S. Navy authorities that allegations of sexual misconduct with adults had been made against him. The archdiocese immediately suspended Chaplain Lee from functioning as a priest.

What was your reaction?

Shock and sadness. The archdiocese had no prior knowledge of the allegations and has not to this day learned anything further about the alleged events beyond that which was reported by the news media. Because the allegations against Chaplain Lee were made directly to United States military authorities, the Military Archdiocese received no information about the allegations.

Have you communicated with his victims?

No. The Archdiocese for the Military was not provided any information about the victims.

What would be your message if they approached you?

I would offer an apology on behalf of the church and ask what the church could do to assist with the difficult process of healing after such an experience.

What are your thoughts on the report by NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland ("The Truth Revealed: Maryland Crisis Pregnancy Center Investigations"), which says Church-backed pregnancy centers mislead women?

I haven't read about it. But from what I've seen of our pregnancy centers, the true care they take of people in desperate need of help should be recognized. It shouldn't be just singling out what might have happened somewhere and painting the broad brush. The women who are helped by our agencies are almost hopeless when they come to us, and they wind up with a purposeful life and a beautiful child and great support around them. Too often the church is just seen as: "We're against abortion. We're against abortion." The church does so much good in trying to prevent abortions — through its Catholic Charities works, its homes for children, its daycare centers and its programs that support women who have no place to turn. We take care of many social needs for our people, and a woman shouldn't be terrorized into having that kind of an act performed upon her.

What is your opinion on the movement to grant women the right to serve as priests?

The theology of the church from the time of Christ and the apostles was that priests [should be] in the image and persona of Christ, and that has deep theological ramifications. And we see in some other churches that have extended it to female priests or ministers, they have some tensions. Throughout history, this question has come up because we've lived in cultures where there were priestesses in other religions, not Christian. But it's always held fast. I think the holy fathers have been right in saying it's not even fair to discuss it because it's been a closed case from theology and the practice of the church and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for 2,000 years.

What is the archdiocese's greatest challenge in Baltimore?

Poverty [and] giving hope to people who just don't have any. They're almost locked into the middle of poverty, violence and the drug scene. You just feel for the kids growing up in this atmosphere.

What are you doing about the poverty?

I've meet with a good number of people — people involved in education, politics, people involved in communications — just to see how can I best fit in to where the church should be. We're taking initiatives to help the poor. There's a lot going on. I've been doing a lot of fundraising for our Lenten appeal. We need at least $6.5 million to keep us going strong and to keep those efforts that are already under way. I've made about eight half-day trips throughout the diocese to see the institutions of Catholic Charities. A lot of it is cheerleading, encouraging people.

Are there any accomplishments so far that have made you especially proud?

I'm just trying to get to know the Archdiocese. It's a fascinating experience because every neighborhood is so distinctive. And there's so much history to each neighborhood, to each church and the parishes. The Catholic community is very tight. Everyone seems to know everyone else. So It's a matter of impressions now. I've been to maybe 115 parishes and getting impressions. I've met almost all the priests and through the priests, the people. Baltimore is certainly distinctive — its nature, its history and its challenges.

Contact: jnovak@baltimoreexaminer.com.