Is there a babysitter in the house? I know I already gave you the conclusion to the Griswold Family vacation, but I thought of another story that was worthy of a “bulletin mention.”
Given everyone’s schedules, we planned our family vacation from a Wednesday to a Wednesday. It was going to be a smaller crowd than normal for the family vacation simply because my nephew Patrick and his new wife Hannah’s wedding was the previous Saturday. So the crowd for the journey north was only my mom, dad, Jackie, Sandy, Jim and me. Jim and Sandy were there from Thursday night through Sunday; they left early Sunday evening of that weekend. Once they left, the remnant crowd had a simple dinner on the beautiful deck. After dinner, it was time to plot out the evening activity. It was obvious, given all the work that was done setting up the new TV that something “TV related” was going to be in the works. After a bit of discussion, a movie night was hatched. Now I’m not one for sitting down for a full length movie so I was just as content to get them situated and then go about doing my own things around the cottage.
After getting Netflix working on the TV, I let them pick what they wanted to watch. I made sure they were amply supplied with snacks and ice-cream. It was a picturesque evening; the setting sun was shining into the cottage and it was just a beautiful ending to a beautiful day. My dad was off in a corner chair, and based on all the visuals he was well on his way to snooze through the entire movie!
Everyone was set. The house was quiet. The movie had started and the “kids” were all content. Just as the opening music was coming to a close, Jackie lifted up her head and announced, “Mike’s like our babysitter …. he’s got us all set and now he’s off to do what he wants.” “You bet ya,” I thought to myself. “Two hours of freedom here I come.”
Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal: This past week, the grand jury report on the sexual abuse of minors by clergy in six dioceses of Pennsylvania was released. The content of that report and the recent news about the allegations brought forward against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, highlight once again the atrocious acts that minors and vulnerable adults have had to endure at the hands of some clergy. Watching the press conference of the release of the grand jury report was difficult. It was difficult because of what those 1,000+ victim survivors had to endure at the hands of some clergy. Watching clips of the prepared video and hearing victim survivor testimony was nauseating. I found it absolutely deplorable to hear what they had to endure and how they struggled – often in silence – to seek some sense of peace in their lives.
Listening to victim testimony is not new to me. As many of you know, for the last nine years I have been the Archbishop’s point person and part of a team of people who have been entrusted with dealing with matters of clergy misconduct and cases involving the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy in the Archdiocese of Detroit. I get to hear firsthand the testimonies of abuse and misconduct. I get to sit with victims as they tell their stories to the Archbishop. Each time I shake my head and wonder how and why any of it could ever have happened. It should never have happened!
Just as I find it mind boggling to hear of the atrocities victim survivors had to endure, I find it mind boggling that some of the faithful question whether these stories are true or they wonder if these stories are made up so someone could win a big settlement. Believe me, no dollar amount could ever help adequately repair the hurt and anguish victim survivors had to endure. In my nine years on the job, I can only think of one case that could not be substantiated. The stories are real.
I have learned much as a result of my conversations with victims over the past nine years. The victim-survivors I have been privileged to meet have taught me much about the power of faith and the power of a deep and profound relationship with Christ in the midst of the clergy sex abuse crisis. I have heard repeatedly that it was that profound faith and deep relationship with Christ that helped victims survive. In most cases, while their relationship with the Church was significantly tarnished their relationship with Christ was not. I remember one poignant conversation with a victim survivor many years ago. We were sitting in Archbishop Vigneron’s office and behind the victim was a large crucifix on the wall. As the victim was recalling his story in tears, I remember him talking about how no one in his family at the time would believe him. He then pointed to the cross and said there was only one who would listen, and that was Christ. It was his prayer that helped him recover and survive. It was his conversations with the Lord that helped him heal over the years and eventually have the courage to report the story to us. As reported in the news, as a result of the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the Bishops of the United States, it doesn’t matter how old an allegation might be, we encourage victims to report abuse. We encourage all victims of sexual abuse by clergy to contact civil authorities. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, reports of abuse can also be made by calling our Victim Assistance Coordinator at 866-343-8055.
Archbishop Vigneron released a letter this week addressed to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit following the release of the grand jury report. A copy of that letter can be found on the home page of our parish website (www.sjascs.org). I encourage you to read it. If you don’t have access to the internet, copies of that letter are available on the bookcase shelf in the Gathering Space or at the Parish Center. Further information about the Church’s response to the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other church personnel can be found at http://www.aod.org/our-archdiocese/protecting-children/.