Fighting Clergy Abuse: Victim-Survivors Call for Full Disclosure, Change Within Catholic Church

By Jill Tatge-Rozell
The Kenosha News
October 19, 2013

http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/fighting_clergy_abuse_victimsurvivors_call_for_full_disclosure_change_within_catholic_church_473873217.html

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has made strides in preventing future sexual abuse of children by clergy.

But it can do more to correct the wrongs of the past and prevent further crimes, said two local women who were abused by priests serving in Kenosha churches decades ago.

Donna Polencheck and Monica Barrett are just two of hundreds of survivors of clergy abuse who are calling for:

— The release of all the documents related to reports of sexual abuse by clergy.

— Those who knew about the abuse to be held accountable.

— More systemic change to help prevent future abuse.

— Financial transparency.

The archdiocese released about 6,000 pages of documents in July as part of a deal reached in federal bankruptcy court. Victims said the files only “scratch the surface.”

“They need to release all of the documents, in all of the files of all the offenders,” Barrett said. “Healing will never happen until the archdiocese accepts responsibility and accountability for these crimes.”

The documents detail the transfer of known abusers from parish to parish. Polencheck and Barrett believe any church leader who enabled this should be held accountable.

“These people need to be criminally prosecuted,” Barrett said.

Also, financial accountability is important to help restore the trust of parishioners, the women said. The documents released detail payments made to get some accused priests to leave, as well as the questionable transfer of nearly $57 million into a trust for cemetery care.

“I wonder how many people know the $57 million is to take care of eight cemeteries,” Barrett questioned.

Both would support a change that would allow priests to marry. Polencheck said she favors increased psychological screening for those who want to enter ministry, and Barrett would like to see some more change in leadership.

“You need to have people in positions of authority within the archdiocese who have integrity and who have a conscience,” Barrett said.

Polencheck added boundaries also need to be erased between the various dioceses. She said there needs to be accountability across state lines and information should be more easily accessible nationwide.

Barrett said she is hopeful Pope Francis will help usher in an era of change. She referenced a quote Pope Francis made during an interview with NBC News when he said he wants to change the “Vatican-centric” view of the Roman Catholic Church and referred to some church leaders as “narcissists.”

“I do feel hopeful about Francis,” Barrett said. “He seems to care more about the people than the institution. He said the church needs to rethink its relationship between its leaders and its faithful.”

Contact: jrozell@kenoshanews.com