Reflections on Bishops' Meeting in Dallas

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 6/20/02)

As you know, the bishops of the United States held their spring meeting last week in Dallas (June 13-15). The one fundamental goal that united us was the formulation of a national policy which would embody our strong and clear commitment to protect children and young people and to prevent sexual abuse, especially by priests or deacons. The policy that we approved is entitled Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth. We also approved Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests, Deacons or Other Church Personnel. Unlike the Charter, these Norms do not become effective until the Holy See gives its approval. Many of the provisions in these Norms are already contained in the Charter, and we bishops have committed ourselves to implementing this Charter immediately. Moreover, we bishops pledged to observe a day of prayer and penance on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The Charter contains 17 articles, framed by a Preamble and a Conclusion. In this issue of The Arlington Catholic Herald, the major provisions of this Charter are outlined along with an overview of the meeting itself.

I find the Charter comprehensive in its scope to protect children and young people from sexual abuse by priests or deacons. I am firmly committed to implementing this charter fully in our diocese. We have had a very strong policy in place since 1991. With the assistance of an oversight committee, which I shall soon form, I will review our present policy and incorporate into it any new provisions contained in this Charter.

Article five of the Charter deals with the situation where sexual abuse by a priest or deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate investigation in accord with canon law. In this situation, diocesan policy will provide that even for a single act of sexual abuse of a minor — past, present, or future — the offending priest or deacon will be permanently removed from ministry. There was much discussion by the bishops on this point and strong opinions on both sides continue to be heard from our people. Some victims say that abusive priests should be removed from the priesthood, which is not mandated by this charter nor by the norms. In my judgment, removing a priest permanently from ministry is a very serious action with painful and lasting consequences. Such a priest can no longer: exercise his priestly ministry, celebrate Mass publicly, wear clerical garb or present himself publicly as a priest. This is not laicization as such — dismissal from the clerical state, but its effects at the practical level are surely similar.

As I stated above, I give my full support to this Charter and will wholeheartedly implement its provisions to the best of my ability. I do know priests who had offended in the past, who were not diagnosed as pedophiles or ephebophiles, who had undergone extensive psychological treatment as well as an intensive spiritual renewal, who had continued counseling for the required time or still remain in counseling and who have never offended again. I have also looked into the eyes of repentant priests who had offended and I have heard beyond words their sorrow and pain over the terrible hurt and injury which they inflicted upon an innocent person. Although what they have done can never be condoned or excused, these priests should also receive God’s forgiveness and ours, even if they can no longer minister as priests. I am saddened for these priests, who can no longer serve in any priestly ministry and for the parishioners who have benefited in a positive manner from their ministry after rehabilitation. However, given the present crisis, the common good must take precedence over the individual good.

I have also looked into the eyes of victims of sexual abuse and their families, and am likewise deeply saddened by the pain inflicted upon them by any act of sexual abuse, especially by a priest, deacon or other Church personnel. In listening to how the lives of victims of sexual abuse where irrevocably changed by the sinful and criminal actions of a priest or deacon, I feel a deep compassion and solidarity with them. I echo again the profound and sincere apology I have expressed in my own name and in union with my brother bishops. "In the light of so much suffering, healing and reconciliation are beyond human capacity alone. Only God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness can lead us forward, trusting in Christ’s promise: ‘for God all things are possible’ (Mt 19:26)" (Charter, Preamble). We must continue to offer to victims and their families our prayerful support, counseling and support groups.

What I am saying is that both the victims and the offending priests and deacons are members of the same flock to whom God sends me as a shepherd in the Church. I must love both groups, reach out to both and allow God to use me as an instrument of His healing, reconciliation and mercy.

As a shepherd, I must also do all I can to protect children and young people now and in the future from sexual abuse. We bishops began to do this in a new manner last week. From this foundation, we must continue to build. I join my brothers in pledging "that we will work to our utmost for the protection of children and youth, … that we will devote to this goal the resources and personnel necessary to accomplish it, … that we will do our best to ordain to the priesthood and put in positions of trust only those who share this commitment to protecting children and youth [and] … that we will work towards healing and reconciliation for those sexually abused by clerics" (Charter, Conclusion).

Please pray for me that I may have the wisdom and insight, the fortitude and courage, to fulfill faithfully this commitment to all God’s People, especially to the children and young people, who are the specific focus of the Charter and the Norms approved by the full body of bishops on June 14, 2002.

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