LAST WEEK AREA CATHOLICS had the opportunity to speak out about the sexual abuse scandal roiling the Roman Catholic Church. In 38 forums across the archdiocese of Chicago, parishioners offered input sought by Cardinal Francis George and other church officials as they review policies for handling allegations. The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago plans to present a report to George before he leaves for a meeting of U.S. Bishops on June 13 in Dallas, where national standards for dealing with sexual misconduct are expected to be forged.
The guild said 7,000 people attended Tuesday’s meetings and 1,000 spoke. Many were dismayed, saddened and angry.
These are some of their voices.
“We have seen too little accountability and too much privilege. Our faith in our leaders has been broken, broken broken.’
— Julie Drew, at St. Joseph Parish, Wilmette
`These are innocent children who have been violated. I think what we need to do first is believe the victims. We need to reembrace them into the community and assist them. Once a priest has been accused, we must reassign him because pedophilia is a crime that continues. We are forgetting this is a crime and they should be prosecuted.’
— Genevieve LeConte, at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Hyde Park, Chicago
`I believe in forgiveness; however, I think that forgiveness comes only after justice has been done.’
— Patrick Dwyer, at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago
`My two big words for tonight are “zero tolerance.”…I am outraged and shocked and very hurt by what’s going on in our church. If we don’t protect our children then who will?’
— Josephine Rogers, at St. Germaine Parish, Oak Lawn
`I don’t get the feeling tonight that any of the speakers feel there’s any room for reformation (lcub) of priests (rcub) . One strike, frankly I feel, is the wrong way to go.’
— John Scheid, at St. Joseph Parish, Wilmette”
`There is a crying need for more female leadership in our church. Maybe it’s time. Why can’t we have married priests? Why can’t we have women priests? If in the last 30 years women had a stronger voice in the church, we wouldn’t be where we are right now. … You need the perspective of women. Do you really think women bishops and cardinals would have tolerated this kind of silence?’
— Phil Schuster, at Queen of All Saints Basilica, Sauganash, Chicago
`The difference between a healthy family and an unhealthy family is not what happens, it’s how it gets dealt with. … We need to respect each other as Jesus respected all of us.’
— Mary Ann Daly, at Holy Name Cathedral, Near North Side, Chicago
`I think that we’ve seen a self-inflicted scandal. We’ve always turned our heads and ignored it. It amazes me how we in the parishes just don’t talk about it. … We’ve been taught to pray, pay and obey, and we’ve been trained very well. We have to get a voice.’
— Jean Ryan, at St. Gilbert Parish, Grayslake
`I am upset about the crimes, but I am more upset with our clergy for perpetrating these crimes. There are no excuses, no reason I can think of. They should not be alone with children if they have a problem. Those who shielded, lied, covered up should be removed from their positions.’
— Dee Adams, at Infant Jesus of Prague Parish, Flossmoor
`These allegations are criminal and the investigation should be covered as such. They should be handled the same way as if one of us were a pedophile.’
— Tom Engle, at Church of the Holy Spirit, Schaumburg
`I do not believe in the absolute power that I believed in when I was a child. I think I lost faith in a lot of the church. I think it’s sad that all good priests are suffering [from the scandal], and I think Martin Luther would have a field day if he were with us today.’
— Penny Dussault, at Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish, Park Ridge
`There has been over $1 billion in settlements. Where do you think that money comes from? Church funds must be withheld. Give it to your favorite charity.’
— Ernie Majarucon, at Queen of All Saints Basilica
`My biggest problem is with the word “allegations.” Where is the proof? Can we take [allegations] to a district attorney and say, “Issue a warrant”? If so, let’s do it. But are we really creating a new class of victims called “our priests”?’
— Sandra Reich, at St. Gilbert Parish
`One of the biggest problems about this crisis for me is that the church that is supposed to be our spiritual guide had acted without integrity. And it seems obvious that priests who are accused and have substantiated allegations should suffer criminal charges. But the other whole piece is a church that cared more about saving its face than about protecting the victims that this had already happened to, or potential victims.’
— Patricia Gerber, at Holy Name Cathedral
`The major problem is not with the church, but those who have covered what has gone on.’
— Raymond Pellelas, at St. Joseph Parish, Libertyville
`I was upset when I heard the cardinal say he wanted “wiggle room” on this [dealing with priests accused of abuse] when this is not a church that grants wiggle room on many subjects.’
— Betty Vitale, at St. Joseph Parish, Wilmette
`Be very careful with that witch hunt, ladies and gentleman, please, I beg of you, be very careful with that witch hunt. Make sure. … And if someone is guilty, hang ’em, out, done!’
— Kay Cosgriff, at Holy Name Cathedral
`It’s almost as if the Catholic Church is being picked on. This problem is widespread–it’s not just a Catholic problem. But nobody should be above the law.’
— Dave Gudewicz, at St. Gilbert Parish
