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	Now What? By Jaime Romo Healing and Spirituality May 4, 2010 http://www.jaimeromo.com/blog/ In the known cases alone, we know that many church leaders and religious authorities have sexually abused children or have allowed children to be sexually abused. The lessons from the Vatican and many U.S. bishops show that church leaders have been unwilling or incapable of the kind of response that survivors and all affected by child sexual abuse deserve. In truth, the preponderance of church leaders' behavior in response to known clergy sexual abuse has been like the behavior of addicts who abuse themselves and others who care about them, and like the behavior of violent abusive parents or partners: denial, remorselessness, a lack of real compassion for victims, a lack of understanding of how much damage they have inflicted (knowingly or unknowingly). Therefore, the outcome of any 'settlements' or individual papal actions must not only be a form of 'making amends' to the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, but must be in the form of making amends to society. I propose that you, who have done so much to harm so many, commit to ending child abuse—all child abuse. Everywhere. This is your calling, your path to redemption. There is no question that church leaders and many members of this community of faith are good people who do and who have done many good things. This pope is no better than others who have come before him in this regard. Thomas Jefferson, a brilliant 'founding father' helped construct the constitution that has guided our country over the centuries, and he was a slave owner and he fathered children of his own slaves. He, like popes, including this one, lived a lie to those he served by perpetuating a social cancer and double standard that continues today in this country that celebrates our 'independence.' Jefferson was no authority on ending slavery in this country and Benedict is no authority on ending clergy sexual abuse in the church. End all child abuse—everywhere—and begin within your 'community of faith.' This pope cannot do this alone. He did not begin child abuse. He must, however, live to end it. The words he speaks to survivors and all who have been damaged and destroyed are completely inadequate. Benedict's actions to end all child abuse, beginning with ending it in his ranks, are inadequate. But they are what will matter after today. They will answer the questions that he and other church leaders must answer with their lives, "So what?" So what, that church leaders have fought to release known criminals by hiding behind statute of limitations for sexual abuse. So what that church have spent millions of dollars in legal fees to block the truth about child sexual abuse in our lives (to not release documents promised through litigation). So what if church leaders have sold some properties to 'settle cases.' So what if church leaders have avoided bringing the cesspool of child rape in which church leaders walk to a public court. Benedict's actions to end all child abuse, beginning with ending it in his ranks will be inadequate. But they are what will answer the question, "Now what?" Now what is different? Now what do we have to show that religious authorities are part of the solution and not the problem of child abuse? Now what will happen the next time a child or adult comes forward to report the unspeakable crime that I and these survivors have reported? These are the questions that Benedict and other church leaders must answer with their actions beginning today: So what? Now what?" The first thing I think the pope needs to do to demonstrate that he is responsible (i.e., able to respond), is to acknowledge the damage he and his predecessor have done; acknowledge the shame or other problems that have kept him and past leaders from acting responsibly. It may sound like a page of a 12 step program: do a fearless inventory and then promote/ insure that Abuse support and education programs for any child/ sexual abuse are institutionally supported; 'Safe Church' policies adopted for local group are the result of a thorough, documented, and facilitated discussions and education processes that involve survivors and non-survivors, experts and average Joes; Religious educational programs integrate experiences of members and help members of church construct meaning from their own experiences. Ecumenical efforts become more functional and competent in preventing child abuse; Teams work together (i.e., 'inside groups' and survivor community activists) At present, Church leaders are simply responding justly to problems after they arise. If the Church is truly to be converted in this terrible problem of child sexual abuse, that is, if the Church is truly to "catch fire" and to become Church in its truest, spiritual sense, it will have to move beyond a reactive stance and become active witnesses to its spiritual mission. This will happen when the Churches become "Victims' Advocates." Just as the Churches should be the champion of the poor and the marginalized, the Churches should also be the voice of those who have been devastated by Religious Authority Sexual Abuse. This proactive stance can include a number of actions. A proactive stance will mean preaching and teaching healthy sexuality. There is a need for positive educational programs on human sexuality and for establishing appropriate pastoral boundaries. The Churches will need to promote the proper use of power and authority, especially within its own ranks. The Churches will want to become a leaven in society to raise consciousness about sexual misconduct issues and to become a force for prevention. Words are inadequate. Time proven, consistent responses to address offenders and to make the changes in personnel and honor the past agreements (e.g. order bishops to release documents from litigation) are needed. Secrecy has created abuse and has prolonged the shame and damage by abuse. Transparency must be one of the institutional responses in order to regain trust, earn credibility. That will take time.
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