A Catholic priest reflects on the sexual abuse crisis

By Rev. Allan Wolfe
Lancaster Line
February 17, 2019

https://bit.ly/2X9brs7

The Rev. Allan Wolfe

Everyone with a heart recoils at the tremendous damage caused by the sexual abuse of children. 

Most recognize that the wounds are deepened when the abuse is perpetrated by a person of trust — a parent, another relative, a teacher or a coach.

And we are outraged when this terrible crime, this grave sin, is perpetrated by a member of the clergy or someone else affiliated with the church. Religious faith is meant to bring people greater peace and wholeness. Yet it has been entangled with these profound violations, these acts of violence, these betrayals against the core aspects of the human person.

Having heard firsthand from victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, I am so sorry and grieve the suffering, pain and isolation they endure on so many levels.

Recognizing the evil of child sexual abuse is simple. Understanding the complexities of the factors and contexts contributing to these crimes and sins — and thus determining the best way to address this plague in society and protect all children — is much more complicated.

To deal with this crisis in the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has summoned more than 100 bishops from around the world to Vatican City in Rome this week to confront, as a universal church, this terrible scourge.

I pray the bishops will arrive well prepared for honest, well-informed deliberations and self-examination of the church and be docile to the Holy Spirit. For only humble attentiveness to God’s lead will provide the necessary, comprehensive approaches to justice and compassion for survivors, protection for all children, and accountability by all in church leadership.

Yet for a truly effective and proactive approach, an honest, humble and complete assessment also must be made in wider society, if the horror of child sexual abuse is to be halted. This plague requires the collective efforts of everyone.

Child sexual abuse scars terribly not only the infants, toddlers, children and adolescents who have endured abuse, but their families and other loved ones, as well. The damage caused by Catholic bishops, priests, deacons, religious and some laity through sexual abuse of minors and by the failure to stop that abuse is undeniable.

Most of us have heard repeatedly about the “over 300 predator priests” who abused “over one thousand child victims” over seven decades, as the Pennsylvania grand jury reported in August.

But child sexual abuse is not just perpetrated by Catholic clergy.

Earlier this month, the Houston Chronicle published a report about the abuse of 700 children over 20 years in another Christian denomination. To mention this is not to deflect, deny or lessen the harm or the criminality of abuse caused by Catholic clergy, but it does reference a more complicated and disturbing reality.

In its 2017 child protective services report, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services reported 4,836 substantiated cases of child sexual abuse in the commonwealth that year.

This sin darkens every corner of society.

In 2002, the U.S. Catholic bishops established proactive protocols that direct all the dioceses of the United States in the proper ways to deal with clergy sexual misconduct allegations and to provide for the safety of all children. You may not have heard about them, but these safeguards have been effective.

Perhaps the most concise response to the scathing grand jury report was from Bishop Edward Malesic of Greensburg, who formerly served as a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg. “This is not today’s Church,” Malesic wrote.

Indeed, much of what the grand jury describes took place decades ago.

In our Diocese of Harrisburg, allegations of sexual misconduct against minors are referred immediately to the proper civil authorities. Age-appropriate education is provided so children will recognize inappropriate sexual behavior. Counseling and other supports are offered to victims of abuse.

Candidates for the seminary undergo a careful screening process that includes psychological exams to ensure that healthy, mature men who are capable of ministry are accepted for priestly ordination.

The church has even more to do to continue to accompany victims, to protect children, and slowly to rebuild lost trust.

In December, the Diocese of Harrisburg contracted with retired Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Janet McNeal to be an independent overseer of its youth protection programs and to support survivors. With her extensive, 26 years of experience with the state police — which included running its Megan’s Law section — McNeal brings the knowledge and perspective to make the church more responsive and responsible.

The media also serve an important role in eradicating child sexual abuse. The free press has the capacity to provide the best and fullest array of information so the public can make informed decisions. Yet on the highly charged issue of clergy sexual abuse, thorough investigative coverage has been lacking. Although many column inches and minutes of air time focused on the Catholic priests accused of abuse, other important aspects have barely received attention.

In December, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that the due process procedures of the investigating grand jury into abuse in six Catholic dioceses in this state were flawed. The high court ruled that redacted sections of the grand jury report must remain so.

When journalist Peter Steinfels penned his thorough analysis, titled “The PA Grand Jury Report: Not What It Seems, It’s Inaccurate, Unfair & Misleading,” for Commonweal magazine, few media outlets followed up.

The sexual abuse of children is a horror. To attack it effectively requires all of us to be vigilant and to investigate thoroughly and unflinchingly every detail and nuance. But it also means we have to resist the temptation to highlight only some facts and bury other facts.

This issue is too urgent; it demands the whole truth.