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Release of Documents - Archdiocese of Milwaukie
"Love One Another" email ^ | June 25, 2013 | Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki - Archbishop of Milwaukee

Posted on 07/04/2013 4:07:08 AM PDT by haffast


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

Click here to read this blog in Spanish.

On April 3rd, I informed you of my decision to authorize the release of documents related to diocesan priests with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. These documents are scheduled to be posted to the archdiocesan website next week and I’m sure they will generate many stories in the news.

We have worked with the attorneys for abuse survivors who identified almost 6,000 pages of documents they believe should be made public and that best demonstrate how the archdiocese handled allegations of sexual abuse, responded to reports, and dealt with offending priests. Those are the documents that will be posted.

My hope in voluntarily making these documents public is that they will aid abuse survivors, families, and others in understanding the past, reviewing the present and allowing the Church in southeastern Wisconsin to continue moving forward. We can never tell abuse survivors enough how sorry we are for what they endured. My apology goes out to all who have been harmed and I continue to offer to meet with any individual abuse survivors who would find it helpful.

What we do today in responding to reports of abuse is different than in decades past but that fact does not erase the past. The documents present one part of the history of what happened and demonstrate how people tried to do their best with what they knew at the time. We may never have the complete picture because the records are not always clear and there is no way to delve more deeply because many of the people involved are dead or have had memories fade as 20, 30 or 40 years or more have passed.

But, we know that bad things happened to innocent children and youth. The arc of understanding sexual abuse of a minor progressed from being seen as a moral failing and sin that needed personal resolve and spiritual direction; to a psychological deficiency that required therapy and could be cured; to issues of addiction requiring more extensive therapy and restrictions on ministry; to recognition of the long-term effects of abuse and the need to hold the perpetrator accountable for this criminal activity.

Acknowledging our past means examining how the Church, especially its bishops and priests, dealt with this issue over the years. It includes facing up to mistakes that were made, even if some of those mistakes become apparent only in hindsight. It means demonstrating our resolve to make sure nothing like this can ever happen again. Today, I am confident that no organization in the world does more to combat sexual abuse of minors than the Catholic Church in the United States.

Needless to say, there are some terrible things described in many of the documents. Reading accounts of sexual abuse, whether by a priest, teacher, coach or family member, are ugly and unpleasant. I worry about the reactions of abuse survivors when confronted again with this material and pray it doesn’t have a negative effect on them. I want everyone to be aware that systems are in place for professional therapy and counseling. These brothers and sisters of ours need and deserve all the prayers and support we can provide.

I also worry about our Catholic people and people in general. News about this topic can shake one’s faith. In fact, if you decide to go and review this material, prepare to be shocked. There are some graphic descriptions about the behavior of some of these priest offenders and one must be prepared before encountering such material.

I’ve heard people say, what was so difficult? A child was abused; the priest should be put in jail. That sentiment probably best reflects the change in societal thinking over the decades and these documents show the progression and evolution of thinking on this topic. In the documents are examples of parents wanting the bishop to know about Father’s behavior, but not wanting the police involved. There are examples of doctors and therapists in the 1970s, seemingly more concerned about “Father” than about the children, operating on a professional belief that there would be no long-lasting impact on a young child. The vast majority of reports were not about events involving a current minor, but about adults reporting something in the past that happened to them decades ago, meaning no criminal charges could be pursued.

I do not offer this as an excuse, but rather, as examples of the complexity of the topic and the context in which decisions were made. In dealing with reports, I am convinced those who served in positions of authority may have been ill-equipped to deal with the topic and relied upon the advice of medical professionals who provided therapy to perpetrators. I’m convinced that those professionals did their very best, given what they knew at that moment in time. It is easy to question decisions of the past with the insight of today, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s and early 1990s that the Church and society began to better understand this topic. It was then that the first formal programs of response and outreach to abuse survivors emerged and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was a leader, nationally, in that area, along with the development of policies and protocols to deal with offenders.

In general, the documents show some of the following themes:

- Terrible things happened to innocent children.

- People were ill-equipped to respond -- to victims and families, and to perpetrators.

- Church leaders and other professionals tried their best to deal with the issue given the knowledge available at the time.

- Reports of abuse were often not brought to the archdiocese or civil authorities until decades after they occurred.

- The archdiocese consistently showed care and concern for abuse survivors, and paid for therapy for individuals who were harmed.

- The incidents of abuse date back 25, 50, even 80 years.

- The majority of perpetrators were not known to the archdiocese until years after they committed the abuse.

- In the 1970s and 80s, priests were often removed from their parish for “medical reasons,” sent for counseling and, based upon a recommendation from their therapist or medical professional, reassigned to another parish.

- Twenty-two priests were reassigned to parish work after concerns about their behavior were known to the archdiocese.

- Eight of those 22 priests reoffended after being reassigned.

- Civil authorities did not always pursue investigations and neither did the archdiocese.

- Even when priests were prosecuted and found guilty or pled no contest, they often received probation as a sentence and did not go to jail.

- People often reported concerns about a priest that were not instances of sexual abuse, but rather concerns about unusual or questionable behaviors, such as uninvited attention/affection -- what we know today as possible signs of “grooming.”

- In the early 1990s, a more formalized approach of outreach to abuse survivors and in dealing with offenders began to emerge.

These are not easy moments for the Church, but I am strengthened by the consistent promise of prayers and support from the people in the archdiocese. Our hope is that the publication of these documents can help bring this chapter of our history to a close and allow us to continue to focus on our desire to work with abuse survivors, and to focus on education and prevention. We pray for those who are abuse survivors and pledge our continued support for those who have been harmed, following the Lord’s command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the June 25, 2013 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; cultureofdeceit; listecki; sexualabuse
Feedback on this blog

Title: Preening Fraud By: Sean Hellier Comment:

I live in New York, am a Catholic who left because of the scandal, and am sickened by Cardinal Dolan's scolding ways and his cozying up to right wing power.

The new Pope should put the Vatican on eBay, and turn the Bishops in to the police.

Title: Love and hate By: Faithfull Comment:

I love the Church, but I hate those who abuse minors.The truth is that people always attacks the Catholics and forget others institutions who also have committed these crimes and in greater numbers. Like the army, school system and other churches.

Title: I grew up in Catholic Schools in Milwaukee By: Megan Comment:

The animosity people still hold against the Church seriously saddens me. Comments made about damning people to Hell are so against what Christ taught that I can't help but throw them in the same boat as the molesters. I pray for you and the victims.

Title: Still Not Responsible By: No Longer Catholic Comment:

This attitude, this continued obfuscation, blame shifting and lack of accountability is the reason I will never ever set foot in a church again.

Title: Oh brother By: Rhino Comment:

This essay could easily have been edited to one sentence.

The Church hierarchy values money and its reputation more than the safety of the children in its congregations.

Title: In my prayers By: Kevin Comment:

I am troubled that you continually write "bad things happened to innocent children and youth." It didn't just happen. Faithless priests raped and molested them. They were targeted.

Title: Misleading By: Martin Comment:

You "voluntarily" decided to release these documents one day before a judge would have forced you to do it. How magnanimous of you. You spent years their release. You omitted how Dolan tried to hide church money from victims

Title: Thanks By: Nick Comment:

They should burn in hell, all those who have done this but hide behind the shroud of religion are worse than the worst dictators and murderers in the world, nothing can make this better for the victims, its still happening, they should flogg them

Title: Listecki and Dolan forgot about Jesus By: Danno Comment:

I was severely abused little altar boy.Now a discarded flock creditor.You asked me to come forward for healing then tried to get cases thrown out. Really, you thought abuse would have no long-lasting impact on a young child. Take care of the victims

Title: Terrible things By: Chris Roberts Comment:

You forgot to mention another terrible thing shown in the documents: your predecessor shielded more than $50 million from litigation by hiding it in a cemetery fund.

Title: Weird By: BenJammin Comment:

Funny how no one is propagating for the church here. Petulant annoyance in what others say...abuse.Isn't that a tad obtuse to attack a persons comments? There is never worthy dialogue. I'm ashamed these people are alive. Devine msgr of God,my ass.

Title: Shame By: Chuck Comment:

Child rapists supported by the Archdiocese. And, shame to an earlier post by Carl, who writes "Do not be ashamed." Money is worth more to the Vatican than a child's innocence. Go to hell, where you will be most welcome.

Title: Still blaming others! By: Marco Comment:

What is not revealed in this letter is that the church has a strict policy that forbids any priest from calling the cops on another priest even if he caught him in the act. Pope Benedict wrote that policy and now lives in hiding from Italian courts

Title: Those without sin may cast the first stone By: Steve Comment:

All segments of society have people who are immoral. What is the saying about people who live in glass houses? It is terrible to blame the current followers/ clergy for abusers of the past or to blame the church in general for the horrible actions.

Title: Ignorance By: Erin Stahl Comment:

I am very tired of non-Catholics shooting off their mouths, and implying ALL priests are molesters. That would be just like saying ALL teachers, coaches, stepfathers and uncles are molesters. Quit being so absurd, and consider the era. And shut up!

Title: Read this and try to apologize By: Vinnie Comment:

Benedict XVI as a cardinal wrote a pastoral letter against homosexuality. He called it "Objectively Disordered." He never wrote a Pastoral Letter about the ills of child abuse. Here is the letter now

http://www.catholica.com.au/gc2/vn/007_vn_

Title: your final judgement, not of man, but of the one true judge By: Laura Comment:

Covering up for rapists and pedophiles is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. I would be shaking in my boots if I were you. Your judgement is coming and you can hide nothing from the Lord. Good luck in Hell, youre going to need it.

Title: REALLY? By: Razzle Comment:

I do not believe that it was your decision to release these documents. You are under control of a higher power and I'm not necessarily referring to God.

Development of policies and protocols to deal with offenders?

Luke 17:1-2

Title: Liar By: Martin Comment:

"My hope in voluntarily making these documents public.."

Voluntarily? Are you kidding me? The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has spent 2 years fighting to keep these documents from going public. You did not volunteer you were forced to by a judge. Liar

Title: Repent, and be saved By: Scott Comment:

The church of rome needs to do simply this. Repent, and turn from your man made teachings, and turn to your only hope- Jesus Christ. God is allowing these things to happen for your good, that you might be saved. Turn from your works, and to Jesus.

Title: In your own words, you do not care! By: Anonymous Comment:

Read in general the documents show ---you will see this statment - Terrible things happened to innocent children. That statement reflects the continuted attitude of the Catholic Church. Terrible things did not happen, they were done to them

Title: my son is a sex offender By: Theresa Reese Comment:

In 1985 my son William Joseph was sexually abused by Father Bill while he attended a gathering at Pius High School. My younger son David came home when he realized what was going on. Billy is now at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex U44B

Title: Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda By: Annonymous Comment:

What a shame. "Demonstrating our resolve" with training that would be laughed at if proposed in a corporate environment. Lies about "voluntary" release of these documents. Does this Bishop hold anybody accountable? Is he accountable for hiding assets

Title: I went to catholic school By: Pat Comment:

I attended catholic school with siblings, and alter boys, the priest should pay the price as any rapist and not be allowed to be sheltered by catholic churches, they get retirement pay, slap on hand! need to meet the MAKER and go to HELL and BURN!!!

Title: I went to catholic school By: Pat Comment:

I attended catholic school with siblings, and alter boys, the priest should pay the price as any rapist and not be allowed to be sheltered by catholic churches, they get retirement pay, slap on hand! need to meet the MAKER and go to HELL and BURN!!!

Title: Their Best By: Anonymous Comment:

The church is paying for a terrible act. Priests and those around them didn't do their job by reporting it. I think that the Archbishop is doing what he can to make up for it. Whether or not people like how he's handleing it, hes doing his best.

Title: Secret For a Reason By: Louise A. Erbe Comment:

Parent expects the church to uphold values. Would Jesus have used children for his/her own needs? Dance around the issues all you want to, a wrong was forced on children, and their hard-working parents are footing the bill. Secret for a reason.

Title: Hope for the Future By: Mark Sedarski Comment:

Thankfully our Archbishop has seen the value in releasing these documents. Let ALL the skeletons out of the closet for once and for all, so we as a Church and as a community can move onward and put these crimes & sins behind us!

Title: sad for our future By: Sherri Comment:

At 41 and a parent teaching the faith its very hard to explain this to my kids. This should have been dealt with right away and not in pieces. All Gods children program does not address it because parents and volunteers are not the issue.

Title: Don't blame VII By: Chris Rosland Comment:

Abuses occurred pre-VII, many abusing priests were ordained pre-Vatican II, and almost all bishops who hid abuses in the 70's and 80's were ordained and trained before VII. Do not blame post-VII priestly formation; but rather the clerical culture.

Title: i am puzzled By: raphael walker Comment:

i am puzzled to hear an archbishop indicate that of chastity, poverty, and obedience, the first one was entirely mysterious to Catholic priests and bishops until only a few years ago.

Title: One small step, yet many to go. By: Erin LaVelle Comment:

Sexual abuse will continue until clerical celibacy and the church's archaic views on modern sexuality are addressed. Did paying millions of dollars stop Megan Garland from abusing two Messer high school children last month?

Title: Comic Strip By: Bob Schwiderski Comment:

"What we do today in responding to reports of abuse is different than in decades past" --- in the past they tried to say "we did not know." --- I wonder what their next cartoon statement will be

Title: Scandals in the priesthood By: Sam Ferraro Comment:

A lot of this can be attributed to the changes in priestly formation called for by the Second Vatican Council. Before the changes it was much more difficult to become a priest, and that was a good thing. It kept out the problematic candidates.

Title: Do not be ashamed By: Carl Comment:

To writer number one: do not condemn the entire sacred priesthood by the actions of a misguided few; and do not EVER be ashamed of being Catholic, or of your brother being a priest; he is courageous in answering God's call; support him all you can

Title: Why the change? By: James Chevalier Comment:

First the diocese fights release of the documents, then promotes it as an act of transparency! Isn't this turning the inevitable into self-promotion? The church already has far too much public relations spin, what it needs is genuine honesty.

Title: Rn other dioceses too By: Karen Jensen Comment:

Regretfully, this crime has been comitted in almost every diocese in the western world. So much in fact, that I am ashamed to call myself a Catholic and that my brother is a priest.

Title: What about your priests? By: Will Williams Comment:

Thank you for addressing a difficult topic. My concern is that there are priests with one allegation removed from ministry years ago who have moved on and pose no threat. These good men may be harmed or hurt themselves as a result. NOT THE GOSPEL!

Title: Thank you! By: Joe Luedtke Comment:

Thank you Bishop for the transparency and communication. I appreciate the willingness to open and communicate what has happened and what steps the church is taking to correct these abuses.

Provide your own feedback

Blog Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by bloggers and those providing comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is not responsible for the accuracy of any information supplied in any of the blogs on archmil.org. The webmaster reserves the right to exclude comments deemed to be inappropriate.

1 posted on 07/04/2013 4:07:08 AM PDT by haffast
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To: haffast
What rank and obvious hypocrisy! The many sincere Catholics are finding their hard earned resources are being used to protect the very people molesting their children and this guy offers the same tired old excuses for failure and complicity.

There are not enough mill stones.

2 posted on 07/04/2013 5:12:20 AM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough)
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To: count-your-change
What rank and obvious hypocrisy! The many sincere Catholics are finding their hard earned resources are being used to protect the very people molesting their children and this guy offers the same tired old excuses for failure and complicity.

Today, the safest institution for children is the Catholic Church. That said, people are so willing to criticize, lambast, with the desire to take a wrecking ball to the organization. How silly and misdirected!

Here we are, with a government passing laws that celebrate, encourage and protect sexual perversion.

The BSA supports openly gay scouts, and thus celebrates sexual deviancy. Never mind that deviant behavior is unacceptable and has been for more than 100 years. Today the cowardly, greedy and fearful BSA Executives have damaged a once, revered and respected institution to honor a transient popular culture.

Perhaps you need to redirect your anger and energy to restoring faith in this country, starting with respect for the Sabbath.

3 posted on 07/04/2013 6:44:01 AM PDT by olezip (Time obliterates the fictions of opinion and confirms the decisions of nature. ~ Cicero)
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To: count-your-change

A concern troll for Catholics, how novel!


4 posted on 07/04/2013 6:53:37 AM PDT by Trailerpark Badass (There should be a whole lot more going on than throwing bleach, said one woman.)
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To: haffast

Is the “minor” a boy or a girl?

It’s funny how they never make the distinction.


5 posted on 07/04/2013 6:53:52 AM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Democrats: Robbing Peter to buy Paul's vote.)
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To: olezip
I guess being better than the BSA is now the standard to be met.

The wounds of the Catholic Church are self inflicted, money laundering, billions paid out for the scandals of “ontologically changed” shepherds that “discerned” a calling from God, the enablers, protectors, partners whom the Catholic Catechism says are equally guilty....lecture these about the meaning of the sabbath first.

6 posted on 07/04/2013 9:23:17 AM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough)
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