Patriot-News
April 25, 2010
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2010/04/harrisburg_diocese.html
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| Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of a general audience he held in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Photo by Andrew Medichini |
Make no mistake, sexual abuse of a child is wrong.
That is why the Diocese of Harrisburg has made strong and decisive steps to combat it. Critics of the church, including this newspaper’s editorial board, have misrepresented the policies of the Catholic Church.
Locally, the diocese maintains zero tolerance regarding child abuse.
One credible allegation immediately and permanently removes the accused from ministry. Multiple background checks are conducted on every adult who interacts with children.
Our safe environment program requires anyone in these ministries to pass an exam on how to recognize and report abuse. More than 15,000 have been granted clearances through this program.
Furthermore, candidates for the priesthood also must undergo special screening to determine their fitness.
Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that point in 2008 when he said, “We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry; it is absolutely incompatible, and whoever is really guilty of being a pedophile cannot be a priest.”
These strong policies of the church here in central Pennsylvania have been in place since the 1980s.
In 2002, the U.S. Bishops issued the landmark Charter for the Protection of Youth and Young People, installing a similar set of rules to which all dioceses must adhere.
Zero tolerance of sexual abuse is an essential part of this nationwide policy. Independent audits of every diocese are done regularly to ensure accountability.
Internationally, the Vatican recently posted basic procedures concerning sexual abuse allegations on its website. These are simply an informational summary of procedures that have been in place since 2002. They are intended to help those who are not canon lawyers understand. The Vatican provides direction, but in a global church, the aggressive implementation of policy occurs locally, not in Rome.
It is unfair to criticize the pope as if he were a CEO having direct control over an employee in another country. A better model might be to consider him a president of a nation who relates to bishops as governors of areas like states.
It must be noted that the abuse cases making news in the Catholic Church did not happen this week or month or year such as those involving local school teachers. Rather the allegations of clergy abuse in question took place decades ago, often 40, 50 or more years ago.
They were horrible and tragic, but how they were handled then, often in other countries, cannot be fairly compared with how a current local incident might be resolved.
What we’ve learned is that we must be ever vigilant in protecting children.
That is why when a report of possible abuse surfaces in the Diocese of Harrisburg a swift response occurs to investigate it. The diocese promptly relays these reports to public authorities fully and transparently.
Sexual molestation is about the victim. That also is why we have a victim assistance coordinator on staff. Anyone who was abused in the church is urged to call 800-626-1608 no matter how long ago it took place.
Our qualified professional will help victims and their families obtain counseling, support groups or other services to assist them in their healing and recovery from the traumatic experience of abuse by a priest or other church employee.
“The sexual abuse of minors is an appalling sin and a crime.
“We are ashamed of it and have zero tolerance for it,” ex-Harrisburg Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades said. His words underscore that the Catholic Church is demonstrating decidedly its commitment to the prevention of the abuse of children in its care.
But it must be acknowledged that abuse is not just a Catholic issue.
It cuts across all denominations, occupations and orientations.
Just as schools are learning, more must be done to prevent this plague.
Pope Benedict XVI has met with sexual abuse victims from around the world. In 2008, he acknowledged the tragedy of sexual abuse in the church in America and reminded us that, “All have a part to play in this task — not only parents, religious leaders, teachers and catechists but the media and entertainment industries as well.
“Indeed, every member of society can contribute to this moral renewal and benefit from it.”
The Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg is working to renew hope among past victims of sexual abuse and restore confidence in protecting children today.
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