Catholic Worker group issues sex abuse document

The statement, "Wiping Away the Tears: A Faith Community Responds to Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church," proposes that each diocese begin Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programs (VORPs) that would allow abusive priests and survivors to meet. Victims would tell their stories, and priests would have the opportunity to apologize. The document also proposes that victims be allowed to suggest what forms of penance their abusers should do.

Catholic Workers live in voluntary poverty to be in solidarity with the poor. The Albany community, based at Emmaus House (where founding members Fred Boehrer, Diana Conroy and their children live), assists families who are temporarily homeless.

Authors of the abuse document include community members Mr. Boehrer, Mrs. Conroy, Rev. Robert Longobucco (Catholic chaplain for The University at Albany), Dennis Sullivan (editor of "The Contemporary Justice Review"), Joan Cooney, Walt Chura and Christopher Ringwald (a local author whose work has been profiled in The Evangelist). The document is being sent to parishes of the Diocese.

Justice sought

The Gospel, he explained, advises not just forgiveness and healing but also justice.

"Many people's response to clergy abuse has been focused on revenge," he said. "They want to put priests in jail and things of that nature." On the other hand, "some people have been very sympathetic to the priest [and] excluded those who have been abused."

Next step

"restorative justice," meeting the needs of the abuser, the victim and society with the ultimate goal of healing.

"We're very active in the restorative justice movement and felt this was an appropriate response to what's going on," Mrs. Conroy said.

While the Catholic Workers approved of the steps taken so far by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard in dealing with clergy sexual abuse, they believe that VORP mediation groups would be a next step forward.

Mr. Boehrer pointed out that when abusive priests have been removed from ministry and either leave the priesthood or go to live in a monastery, they can't play a role in the healing process of those they have abused.

Face-to-face

Nine years later, Mr. Geiger met with the criminal to ask why; by the end of the meeting, the two joined hands in friendship.

"VORPs have a very different take on responding. Where harm has taken place, the traditional criminal justice system focuses on punishment, not necessarily healing," said Mr. Boehrer.

He believes the Church is also "vague" in suggesting penance for abusers and said the victim should have a say in what form of penance would be appropriate for his or her abuser.

Since the proposed programs would be voluntary, people could choose not to participate. However, Mr. Boehrer said the Catholic Workers hope that "the nature of the priesthood would influence the priest to recognize the importance of penance and having a contrite heart as part of the healing process."

(For copies of "Wiping Away the Tears," write Emmaus House, Albany Catholic Worker Community, 35 N. Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203.)

(09-12-02) [[In-content Ad]]