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  Church Takes Action on Abuse
Critics: Diocese Needs to Do More

By Stacia Glenn
Daily Bulletin [San Bernardino CA]
April 18, 2005

Monday, April 18, 2005 - SAN BERNARDINO - Hundreds of voices echoed throughout Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral on Sunday, pledging to safeguard their children from the sexual abuse that has rocked the Catholic Church.

April is Sexual Abuse Awareness month, and a memory of the clergy-abuse scandal is still imprinted on many minds. A 2004 report by the U.S. Catholic Church said 10,667 individuals have accused 4,392 priests of sexual abuse. At least 15 accused priests have been part of the Diocese of San Bernardino.

"Abuse gets in the way of that abundant life God wants us to lead. We recognize our need to confront abuse ... and especially the way it affects our children," said the Rev. Paul C. Granillo, a diocese spokesman.

Since the abuse came to light three years ago, the local diocese, which serves 1 million Roman Catholics in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, has worked to restore trust. The diocese now fingerprints all priests, employees and volunteers. For the past two years, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has found the diocese in compliance with the American Church's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

But the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests continues to chastise the diocese for not doing enough.

"Sadly, the problem has been the diocese's refusal to tell parents what they know about known and suspected molesters and that is what has kept so many children at risk in the Catholic Church," said Mary Grant, western regional director for the network.

It's nice that church leaders are urging children to speak out, she said, but it is just as important for church officials to disclose documents so parents know who might be a threat.

After all, actions speak louder than words, Grant said. And the local diocese took a little more action Sunday.

Churchgoers streaming into the cathedral Sunday were handed a white button adorned with a blue ribbon and the words "prevent child abuse."

The buttons are intended to raise awareness of the abuse problem facing today's youths. Printed in English and Spanish, 250,000 buttons have been distributed this month to the 97 parishes in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

"It's up to us to make the change. It's up to us to create the language to speak," Deacon Mike Jelley said.

It is important to teach youths that any kind of abuse is unacceptable and give them the voice to speak out against those who harm them, Jelley said.

Many people said the educational Masses, which started last year, have been effective and make it easier to approach the subject with children.

"It's been addressed, it's out there and people are aware of it," said Carlos Teran, a 37-year-old father of five from San Bernardino. "Now we can finally have an open-door policy. We're headed in the right direction."

Julie Simmons, a 41-year-old mother and teacher from San Bernardino, said Sunday's message alerted her to what is going on in the community on a daily basis.

About one-third of females and one-quarter of males will be victimized in their youth, Jelley said.

Those numbers are frightening, Simmons said, and the knowledge imparted by Sunday's special Mass will force her to pay closer attention to children and teach them to question any situation that makes them uncomfortable.

Children were summoned forward and Granillo explained how Jesus is the good shepherd and has vowed to protect those who are too young or weak to protect themselves.

Adults were then asked to sign green commitment cards pledging to listen closely when children speak and offer support and guidance so that young people can protect themselves.

The congregation read the pledge aloud as 45 little faces blinked innocently back at them, a representation of the future.

"When children are abused and we crush their spirit ... their wings are crushed," Jelley said. "Let's give them the freedom to fly."

Messages written by local eighth-graders were read during Mass, telling adults how to help young victims speak out.

Children asked their parents to teach them what to do if something bad were to happen, to be more observant, to listen more and to be open to specific topics.

"I want this to be most important to the kids," said Virginia Silverthorn, 51, of Rialto. "We want them to know if something happens at home, they can come to us. The church should be like a second family."