Catholics tired of recurring accusations of clergy sexual abuse

By Albert C. Pacciorini
Oakland Voice
February 2, 2019

https://bit.ly/2MJZlAE

Rev. Jayson Landeza, left, and Steve Wilcox, chancellor of the Diocese of Oakland, answer questions at a forum on clergy sexual abuse on Jan. 22. Photo by ALBERT C. PACCIORINI

A lively, respectful group of about 100 people met with two representatives of the Diocese of Oakland to discuss the issue of clergy sexual abuse and its coverup at St. Joan of Arc Church in San Ramon the evening of Jan. 22.

Steve Wilcox, chancellor of the diocese, and Rev. Jayson Landeza outlined the historical issues of clergy sexual abuse while saying the evening would be mostly questions from the audience.

Repeatedly, audience members drove home a theme: people, especially the young, are avoiding the Church in vast numbers, older people are falling away. They see the Church as unresponsive in meeting the needs of the gay and transgender community and not doing enough to end clergy sexual abuse.

We’ve heard all this before, many said: People’s lives have been ruined. Families are ruined. We’re tired of the apologies and repetition. Do something now.”

Wilcox said he hopes the diocese can release its list of credibly accused clergy on Feb. 18. While many will be familiar names, there may be one or two not previously widely known.

Rev. Ray Sacca, St. Joan of Arc pastor, opened the evening with prayer, and noted Catholics are expressing outrage at the renewed abuse revelations.

As chancellor of the diocese, Wilcox explained, part of his job is to aid victims of abuse and to prevent it from happening.

Wilcox and Father Landeza offered a presentation recounting the recent history of clergy sexual abuse, from the Oakland diocese’s first apology service in the 1980s, through its No More Secrets ministry and the 2008 construction of the healing garden for victims next to the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland.

Father Landeza has been involved for decades in ministry to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, serving on local and national groups dealing with the issue.

Both men identified the website bishopaccountability.org/, not Church affiliated, which tracks clergy suspected of abuse.

Father Landeza noted one of his own best friends has been a victim.

It was only in 1994 that the first priest was convicted of criminal sexual abuse of a minor in the US, Father Landeza said. While the National Catholic Reporter newspaper did some reporting on the issue in the 1980s, it wasn’t until the Boston Globe newspaper’s expose in 2002 there was a national focus. The movie, “Spotlight,” recounts the paper’s effort.

After that, in 2002, US bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, known as the Dallas Charter. It established procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. It also addressed reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse, and was revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018. Following the charter, in 2004 the bishops commissioned the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York, to study the issue. It surveyed the years 1950-2002 and estimated approximately 3,800 priests were credibly accused of child sexual abuse in 10,000 incidents.

“Interestingly,” Wilcox said, “many victims don’t come forward immediately.”

Father Landeza said his friend, victimized in the 1970s, didn’t discuss it until the 2000s.

In the last year, the state of Pennsylvania offered up a 1,500-page report detailing clergy sexual abuse in six dioceses. Then followed revelations about the sexual abuse of young men and seminarians by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who has been demoted and is in seclusion.

In November, US bishops resolved to take some action toward holding themselves accountable, a move stalled by Pope Francis, who instead asked the bishops to attend a weeklong retreat in January. The pope has scheduled a worldwide meeting on the subject with bishops’ representatives Feb. 21-25.

This is a global problem, Father Landeza said, but many other nations don’t see it as a problem — they are in denial.

What happens if a diocesan priest is accused of sexual abuse, Wilcox asked?

“The first thing we do for victims is offer counseling, then we investigate,”

“What is a credible accusation?” Wilcox asked rhetorically “It’s common sense.”

“If you suspect child abuse: Call the police,” he said, repeating: “Call the police.”

According to a news report on National Public Radio, through 2018, clergy sex abuse of minors has cost the Church not only in terms of trust and reputation, but more than $3 billion in lawsuit settlements. The scandals have led almost two dozen dioceses and religious orders to file for bankruptcy.