Harrisburg diocese listening sessions helping family, church heal after abuse scandal

York Daily Record
February 11, 2019

https://bit.ly/2RVH58m

Carolyn Fortney, a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of her family's Roman Catholic parish priest as a child, awaits legislation in the Pennsylvania Capitol to respond to a landmark state grand jury report on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 in Harrisburg, Pa. Photo by Marc Levy

“I feel like I have a scarlet letter on my chest!”  

A common feeling amongst all of us as we walked into the first listening session hosted by Bishop Gainer of the Diocese of Harrisburg.

However, that feeling dissipated as the parishioners’ voices filled with hope, support and love for us and all victims echoed throughout the church.  Originally meant as a symbol of shame, our “scarlet letter” quickly became a powerful symbol of Assurance! 

Initially intended as a forum for the bishop to hear feedback and answer questions, the listening sessions, for us and many victims as well as parishioners, has become a refuge for healing and empowerment. While some still refuse to acknowledge the darkness behind the pulpit and choose to use their voice as an opportunity to win the bishop’s favor, we also witnessed victims standing up and speaking out for the first time, as well as parishioners enraged and full of disgust pleading for transparency and truth.  Some spoke out with questions and concerns while others offered ideas and solutions!

It was clear to us that the majority of Catholic parishioners in attendance were there because they love their church! This is their community, their family, and they are broken! But they aren’t giving up! They have been beaten down many, many times and continue to pick themselves back up, but this time something feels different!

It is through the parishioner’s strong and faithful voices bravely speaking out in support of victims, as they demanded the truth at these listening sessions, that we are once again “A”ssured of our purpose! 

It has been almost 6 months since the statewide Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report that outlined the widespread sexual abuse of children and the systematic coverup by senior church officials in Pennsylvania and at the Vatican was released, sending shockwaves around world!  But why?  Have the numerous grand jury reports over the years as well as several movies depicting the magnitude and scope of these criminal and grotesque violations against children by their faithful leaders not been enough for people to stand up and demand change?  Maybe it’s just too much to comprehend, or maybe by acknowledging its existence, we then have to acknowledge that it’s true.  But that shock is wearing off and the world can no longer deny the truth; on the contrary, the world is demanding it!

But what exactly does the truth look like?  For many, the truth will hurt! But are those the ones we should be helping and protecting?  For victims, the truth is justice; it is the opportunity for their voices to be heard so that their perpetrator and those who covered up their crimes are held accountable.  The truth is public safety; it is by giving victims an opportunity to be heard that perpetrators are identified so that less children will fall victim to them.

 The truth is healing.  And the truth is always the right thing to do!

Your presence matters!

The first call is the most difficult... But you can do it! Priest Abuse Hotline: 1-888-538-8541

Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m., Saint Leo the Great Parish 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster.

Feb. 13, 7 p.m., Saint Joseph Parish 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg.

Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish 1730 Fowler Avenue, Berwick

Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish 599 W. Center St, Elysburg.

Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., Corpus Christi Parish 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg.

Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Saint Rose of Lima Parish 950 West Market Street, York.