Priests describe months of fear and suspicion

The direct victims of child abuse are the children; the indirect victims include their families. But also caught in the scandal of the past year have been innocent priests, who have been eyed with suspicion and tarred with the same brush as their few abusive peers. The Evangelist asked some priests to reflect on the past 12 months:

"I've tried to just live my life. I'm probably going to ask that a parent come with their child for Confirmation interviews, but am I going to stop playing with children or picking them up outside of Mass? No. Do I have second thoughts about helping an altar server tie an alb? Yes. But I will not stop doing those things. Children need positive role models that love them -- and that includes priests."

Rev. David Mickiewicz, pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Delanson

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"It's been a long year for priests. As a group, we've gotten closer. We've been through a lot. The events where priests gather have been better attended. We've been reaching out a bit more, checking on one another.

"Last summer, I was telling people that if you ask priests how they were doing and they said they were doing well, they were lying. This summer, we're definitely more hopeful that we can continue growing beyond the crisis.

"The thing that I remember is the tremendous affirmation I have from people who knew it was a hard time for us, people who were thinking of us and praying for us. That's been a great gift. That has sustained us.

"Anybody who dealt with people who have been victims of sexual abuse are well aware of the tremendous pain it causes. We're priests; it's our job to be concerned about those who are hurting. I can't think of a priest who isn't concerned about those who are victims."

Rev. Robert Longobucco, campus minister at the University at Albany

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"A number of priests have modified the way that they celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially when it involves children or young people. Before, they would have felt comfortable around children; they feel more awkward now. A number of priests said they have been treated differently. There have been some unkind remarks made about priests in general that have affected them.

"The more morale goes down, the more vulnerable we feel, and that can have a negative impact on our ministry and the overall effectiveness of the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel.

"We ordained three deacons last Saturday, and we have a number of men in the seminary who continue to pursue their vocation. The Vocations Office is talking to a number of young men, and they have not spoken with anyone who has said, 'I'm no longer [interested] because of the scandal.' That's a sign of hope.

"It has been a very long year. It's been a difficult year. One of the reasons is that we have all lost brother priests. There's a sense of grieving over that. And there is uncertainty as to how long this is going to continue. I think we all feel very vulnerable.

"On a more positive note, many priests, including myself, have been told, 'We're behind you,' 'we support you,' 'we're praying for you.'"

Rev. Edward Deimeke, Administrative Advocate for Priests for the Diocese of Albany

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"When I stop to reflect on this, I'm disappointed that the therapeutic community, whose advice the Church heeded and paid well for over many years, has not come to the fore and defended any of the Church's past decisions, which were based upon their advice."

Rev. Carl Urban, pastor, St. Adalbert Church in Schenectady

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"Responding to people, you had the feeling sometimes that people were looking at you in the way that said, 'All priests are like this.' But I was not treated differently.

"I am much more guarded about my relationship to children. Some parents are very concerned about any kind of a relationship with a priest. The trust is gone. It can be discouraging and depressing to function well in the ministry.

"For First Reconciliation, we had the sacrament right out in the open in church, not behind closed doors. The children went up to the altar and met with me in front of the entire church. Everybody was happy with that arrangement.

"I think that we're going to come out to be a better Church. We're going in the right direction now. We're taking the right road."

Rev. James Mackey, pastor, St. Mary's Church, Glens Falls

(6/19/03) [[In-content Ad]]