Published May 6, 2005
Parent Networking
The clerical sexual abuse scandal in the church creates new questions that we need to face. The best answers to these challenges will grow out of a wealth of ideas shared among members.
Among the new questions we face are these:
• How do we restore trust? The fact of abuse leaves church members uncomfortable with the blind trust of the past. Trust has been dealt a heavy blow. What is the appropriate kind of trust for us to develop as a community? How do we go about rebuilding a climate of healthy trust?
• How do we support the vast majority of priests who keep their vows? Harming a child is the last thing in the minds of these fine men. Having been demoralized and embarrassed by the actions of a few deviant colleagues, they need emotional and spiritual support. How do we best offer this?
• How do we respond appropriately to false accusations against priests? Is it possible to restore a reputation that has been harmed by a careless or malicious accusation? If so, how do we do it?
• What do we tell our children when they ask direct questions about the scandal? How do we assure them that they are safe and, at the same time, protect them against harm when we ourselves may not be comfortable with a situation?
• How do we know that abuse in the present or future will be handled better than it was in the past? How can we best apply the lessons learned through this painful experience to make the church safer for all persons?
• How do we apply the growth in understanding of sexual predation of children in the fields of psychiatry and law enforcement to church policies and procedures? Are we working with up-to-date information and not allowing old stereotypical thinking to influence decisions?
These are difficult questions. As resurrection and the strength of spring come forth, we need to join as a community to work together and pray together to find answers to these questions. Creating a safe environment within the church is an enormous challenge.