Archbishop's  Column  by  Archbishop John G. Vlazny

Because of a staffing shortage, we weren't able to update the Sentinel's web page last week. Here is Archbishop Vlazny's column from Sept. 15.
Next week marks the beginnings of autumn. With the arrival of cooler days, longer nights and hazy horizons, our thoughts turn to home and hearth more readily after all the splendid outdoor activities and convivial gatherings of summer time. I pray that these will be happy and blessed times for all our people, especially for those among us who have borne extraordinary burdens in recent times.

The scandal of child sexual abuse by the clergy in this archdiocese has prompted much conversation and media attention. This is understandable, of course, because children are precious and the hurts have been deep and lasting. But there is another side to the story as well. Our Catholic community has made significant strides in doing what it can to protect children in the future and to promote the healing of victims. All of this has required prayer and sacrifice on the part of many.

With that goal in mind, several years ago I re-established the Ember Days here in this archdiocese, days of prayer and fasting in the fall, winter and spring when we as a church would pray and sacrifice for a special intention. The intention has remained the same in recent years and will continue to be so this coming Ember Day, Wednesday, Sept. 27. We pray for the protection of our children, the healing of all victims of child sexual abuse and their eventual reconciliation with our church community.

Prayer, of course, must be balanced with meaningful action. Back in the year 2002 we American bishops agreed to a Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a document that was revised and updated in 2005. We acknowledged the mistakes the church made in the past in trying to deal with those who were victimized and we continue to apologize to victims and all our people. We have committed ourselves to creating a safe environment within the church for children and youth and we commend to all the needs of those who have been victims of sexual abuse and their families.

Even though this archdiocese has been forced to cut back on many of its services, this is one area where we have strengthened our commitment to serve. Cathy Shannon, the former Director of Religious Education in the Archdiocese, has held a secondary position as our Child Protection Officer and Victims’ Assistance Coordinator. Since July 1 her only task is to carry out that latter responsibility.

In Catholic dioceses across the land, she has many peers and co-workers, all of whom are committed to providing a consistent, on-going and comprehensive approach to dealing with matters affecting the safe environment of our children and the outreach to those who were injured by abuse.

Some folks have questioned the adequacy of our church’s response and the effectiveness of our efforts to prevent similar crimes in the future. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops established an Office of Child and Youth Protection, which developed a response and prevention project last year. The goals of the project were three-fold: 1) to provide victims/survivors of child sexual abuse a voice in helping other victims/survivors, 2) to assist dioceses in developing appropriate responses to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse and 3) to identify preventive measures of child sexual abuse to be used by dioceses and religious communities. Although the project was not designed to be a scientifically valid empirical survey, it did elicit direct input from victims/survivors. We are grateful to the victims who were willing to assist us in this difficult task.

I know from my own experience with victims that it is not easy for them to revisit the pain and frustration that lingered so long after their victimization. Of particular interest, in my judgment, is the series of recommendations that were developed by the project director after reviewing all the input from the victims/survivors. Here are just a few:

1) We all need to become better informed about the incredible illness of pedophilia and the seduction techniques that are actually used by sexual abusers. The effects of sexual abuse can be life-long. The pedophiles themselves more than likely have multiple victims and are not cured by grace and prayer. Denial is common among pedophiles.

2) Reports and inquiries from victims or survivors merit immediate attention. Authorities need to be compassionate and caring in responding to those who present themselves as victims. Skepticism, seemingly harmless accusatory questions and the failure to keep promises may further injure victims.

Listening and apologizing to victims, asking for their forgiveness and refraining from encouraging them to forgive their abusers are all critical components in an effort to achieve reconciliation. Assure victims that they are always welcome back to the church, even though this may be difficult for them.

3) Sometimes people become frustrated at the anger of those who were injured. Try to be understanding without being defensive. Recognize that healing is a personal journey for each victim/survivor. Victims are not morally or legally at fault.

4) The trust that victims and their families had once placed in the ordained clergy has been betrayed. The reassignment of sexual abusers became simply another gesture of betrayal. Prayer and healing services for those who are willing to participate are important initiatives on the part of our churches. Support groups sponsored by the church or by the civic community have also proved to be helpful. All victims do not have the same needs. Never presume that we have all the answers. A dedication to participate in any program to promote healing must be made by the victim and no other.

The safety of children entrusted to our care and the healing of abuse survivors are important church priorities. Here in the Archdiocese of Portland we take these matters very seriously. Last spring it was reported that our archdiocese was found to be in full compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This determination resulted from the audit conducted here in November 2005 by the Gavin Group, Inc., an independent auditing agency that reviewed the child safety policies and procedures of Catholic dioceses in the United States.

In that most recent audit, the primary concern was the safe environment training for children and youth that is being provided to students attending our Catholic schools and to thousands of Catholic students who attend public schools and participate in parish programs in this archdiocese.

Adult training has been provided to the priests and deacons of the archdiocese, to educators in Catholic schools and religious education programs, youth ministry staff and to parish and archdiocesan employees with contact with children as well as to several thousand volunteers who assist in school and parish programs. In addition, thousands of teachers, employees and volunteers have been background checked in compliance with the Charter.

The next audit will take place in the first half of 2007. As we pray and fast on the coming Ember Day, Sept. 27, please ask God to help us be faithful to our commitments, concerned about our children, caring for all victims and all in concert with the church’s primary evangelizing mission of building the kingdom of God here on earth. After all, our God would not have it otherwise.

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