On Clerical Sexual Abuse

Pastoral Statement to the People of God

In the Diocese of Brooklyn

March 19, 2002

                        “We, though many, are one body in Christ and individual parts of one another.”                                 

                                                                                                (Romans 12:5)

“If one part suffers,  all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.”

                                                                                                (I Corinthians 12:26)

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

          As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we are called to a close communion with Jesus, forming a single Body, united with Him as our Head.  At the same time, by baptism, we also establish a relationship of communion with each member of the Body.  This teaching is affirmed by the great teacher, Saint Paul, in many of his letters to the communities he founded, and reaffirmed in the Second Vatican Council.  This unity in a common faith, hope and love sustains us at all times, especially in times of trial.

          Indeed, this is a time of trial, and all of us who are the members of this Body are suffering.  What seems like an unending series of reports from across the country, focusing on cases of priest abusers that were not addressed appropriately in the past, attests to the terrible actions that have been committed by a small number of clergy against the most vulnerable of our family of faith – the children whom we are committed to love, guide and protect.  Such activity on the part of any priest is totally unacceptable and even one such instance is one too many.  These actions deeply wound the Body of Christ, most especially the victims, but also our communities and the vast majority of dedicated men who serve us as priests. 

          I recognize the lifelong impact such abuse may have on a young person.  It may affect his/her family, other relationships, even the precious gift of faith.  I am deeply concerned about the impact on the parents of young persons who have become aware of the abuse their children have suffered.  In trying to provide a good Catholic formation for their children, they are often called upon to make many sacrifices.  To experience a betrayal at the hand of a trusted priest is, indeed, painful and most difficult to endure.

          Are there words to console adequately the victims of such behavior?  We reach into the well of our humanity to find those that may help.  Often, words we select are simply not enough, falling short of relieving the suffering, anger, confusion and anxiety that such actions have created.  We want to – in fact, we must - ease the pain that our wounded brothers and sisters in the Lord are experiencing.

          At the same time, these events have served to undermine the communion of faith, hope and love that we so cherish as members of the Mystical Body.  All of us are deeply shaken.  Our good people in the Diocese are confused, sometimes not knowing what to think or believe.  The members of our clergy, especially the priests, are fearful that all will be painted with the same brush, and that this will impede the heroic ministry that they carry out in this challenging Diocese.  We cannot help but share in the feelings of anger, mistrust and doubt that have been brought forth by recent events.

          In the 12 years that I have been your Bishop, when a member of the faithful has come forward to report improper sexual activity on the part of a member of the clergy, we have followed a carefully prepared policy that I believe is responsible, just and compassionate, protective of the rights of every person involved.

          We take all such allegations very seriously, listening respectfully and with deep sympathy to the stories shared by the victims, knowing how difficult it must be for them to make such a report – oftentimes after many years of secret suffering.  Our primary concern is for these individuals.  We immediately offer them professional help, in order to assist and support them in the process of healing that they have initiated by coming forward.  We do so out of a deep pastoral concern for anyone in need, even before there is a substantiation of the allegation.

          Those entrusted with this most difficult of services labor to ascertain the facts, including conducting a careful interview of the person accused of the abuse.  It is important that the rights of every person involved in the reported incident are respected, therefore this investigation is done in an atmosphere of respect and compassion, providing the accused with the opportunity to respond to the allegations. 

           If the allegation is determined to be credible, the accused person is asked to undergo a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation in one of the facilities that specialize in this area.  The evaluation report then becomes the basis for determining future action.  A committee of experts - both clergy and lay - in various fields, including Church Law and pastoral ministry assists me in formulating that course of action.

          Where a priest admits to a charge, he is placed on a leave from active priestly ministry, and he is sent for immediate, thorough evaluation.  As our policy mandates, we rely on the professional psychiatric recommendations that are provided after the evaluation.  In the event that the recommendation indicates that a priest should not be returned to active ministry, we take all necessary steps to remove him from assignment. 

          On those occasions when the recommendation indicates that he may be returned to some form of priestly ministry, we then determine what should be the appropriate assignment.  At the same time, we leave to victims and their families the decision to present their case to civil authorities.  In such cases, we continue our practice of cooperating fully with the authorities.  If a priest categorically denies an allegation, our investigation strives to arrive at a prudent conclusion regarding the alleged incident.

          I would like to emphasize that persons who report that they have been victims of sexual abuse by a priest are never discouraged from reporting their incidents to the police, to whom we give total cooperation.  In our experience most persons who come forward desire to speak to my delegates in an atmosphere of confidentiality, seeking privacy, while nevertheless asking that the allegations they are making be addressed by the Diocese.  We respect their request for privacy, and we address the matter most seriously.

          Because of the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, I do not plan to issue the names and number of priests against whom allegations have been presented.  While the number is very low, there is no excuse or justification for such activity on the part of even one.  Furthermore, not every allegation proves credible, and I also need to be concerned about the way in which the media and other individuals are using this tragedy – with an almost exclusive concentration on the Catholic Church - to discredit our beliefs and values, and engender doubts in the minds of the faithful regarding other aspects of Catholic teaching.

          Some in the State Legislature appear to be looking to change statutes regarding the reporting of these cases, with the intention of expanding the categories of individuals who must report to include clergy.  I pledge myself to work with my brother bishops in the State and the professional staff of the New York State Catholic Conference.  We will review any proposal that may be brought forth to protect our beloved children.  We will, of course, have particular interest that any changes in the reporting requirements will respect unequivocally the priest-penitent relationship in sacramental Confession, which can never be violated.  That being assured, we will, as always, obey the law.

          If one can find comfort in any aspect of these painful cases of accusation, it comes on those occasions when persons who have come forward have expressed words of sincere gratitude for the way their complaint was handled by my delegates.  Our diocesan policy directs that victims of inappropriate behavior receive pastoral assistance, because “compassion, the keynote to Christ’s Gospel, is to be the guiding principle.”  It is gratifying when this is demonstrated to the comfort of those who seek to unburden themselves by telling about a painful past experience.

          The case of a former priest of the Archdiocese of Boston accused of multiple acts of pedophilia has stirred the consciences of the public throughout our country.  The former priest has been convicted and sentenced in a criminal case related to those acts.  Because of my responsibilities in that Archdiocese in the early 1980s, I was named a defendant in a number of civil cases recently settled.  In that situation, I acted in good conscience, with the knowledge gained from consultations, but in hindsight I profoundly regret certain decisions.

          I am keenly aware of the effect the revelation of inappropriate sexual activity with minors by some members of the clergy is having on all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Boston, and also on the people of the Diocese of Palm Beach - where I once served with great joy - who have suffered the resignation of two diocesan bishops under painful circumstances.  I pray that the healing comfort of the Holy Spirit may sustain them.

          Regarding our own Diocese of Brooklyn, two cases have drawn widespread attention, one concerning a present pastor, the other regarding a former pastor.  It is my conviction that my delegates investigated these matters with utmost care in their task of arriving at the truth.  In consultation with my committee of advisors, I accepted their conclusions, took whatever responsible steps were required, and expressed respect for their work.

          We are constantly learning about the illness that moves individuals to abuse the most innocent members of our community, and we incorporate new insights and experiences into our practice.  However, I firmly believe that our policy has served us well, and that we have taken responsible steps to protect our children.  Furthermore, I am convinced that, despite the present climate that is being created of confusion, doubt and mistrust, in the last fifteen years there has been no institution in our country that has done more than the Catholic Church to understand and address this horrific form of violation of the young that exists in every segment of our society.   We are committed to continue this effort.

          Months before there were any press reports regarding recent cases, I asked a group of experts, to review our policy and recommend changes that would further ensure the safety of those most vulnerable in our community.  I look forward to their recommendations, and will implement the revised policy as soon as it is formulated.  Likewise, while my committee of advisors periodically reviews cases, I have instructed my staff to begin to undertake an examination of any past cases, to ensure that they have been handled in conformity with our policy.

          I would like to address some words of comfort and assurance to my beloved faithful, whose spiritual well being and development has been my pastoral responsibility since accepting the awesome challenges of this Diocese. While I am proud of the record of the Diocese of Brooklyn in its response to the spiritual needs of the faithful by dedicated priests, deacons and religious women and men, and the provision of social services, education and health care to those in need, nothing has been more important to me than the protection and nurturing of our children.  

          The wounds in the Body of Christ, occasioned by the mistreatment of children, are deep and painful.  Even though we could never overestimate the suffering of the victims of these unspeakable actions, all of us in the Church are adversely affected by such violations of boundaries. 

          We acknowledge that trust has been violated and our faith is shaken.  These painful circumstances offer opportunities to those who have a negative attitude towards the Church, its teachings and discipline, to blame these scandalous occurrences on what they label as “an unwillingness to keep up with the times.” We all must admit that not all so-called societal developments are supportive of basic Christian human values.  Indeed, the so-called “progress” of our society has not always been responsive to the higher law of morality.   Likewise, a number of comments have centered on the discipline of celibacy as contributing to the problem of sexual abuse of minors.  We reject this assumption, because experts have noted that most cases of molestation of young persons occur with men who are, or will be, married.

          I never cease to be amazed and emboldened by the prophetic nature of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council: Yes, while it is essential that our Church always renew itself if it is to be faithful to its mission, as the Council Fathers insightfully noted, this renewal must have as its goal “that we may be found increasingly faithful to the Gospel of Christ” (Message to Humanity issued at the beginning of the Council by its Fathers, October 20, 1962).  This must remain our primary goal and cannot be replaced by other agendas.

          Regarding candidates for the seminary I wish to bring out that our process of application includes a thorough psychological evaluation.  In the years involved in the program of priestly formation, careful supervision and evaluation is provided by the faculty.  Likewise discussions are conducted regarding abuse and other boundary issues.  I am committed to ensure that worthy and healthy candidates are recommended for priestly ordination and service.

          I want to reach out to the victims who have still not found the courage to come forward, and I encourage them to contact my staff at the Chancery Office.  I am grateful to those who maintain the distinction between the misbehavior of a small number of priests and the many who serve faithfully.

          I want to assure you that, with the continued assistance and support of advisors, men and women – deeply committed to the Church - whose expertise include a range of disciplines, I am committed to continue to periodically review and update our policy for addressing any serious allegations of sexual abuse brought forward against a member of our clergy.

          I very much desire to address some words of comfort and encouragement to my priests, without whom I would not be able to carry out my pastoral mission of salvation.  I truly consider you my closest collaborators in the ministry.  As I told you on the occasion of my Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Ordination as a bishop, I would give my life for each one of you. 

          I know the pressures that you are experiencing these days, including the fear of being ‘stereotyped,’ as a result of the wounds caused in the Body of Christ, and dishonor brought on our sacred call, by the actions of a few of our brothers.  The circumstances in which we exercise our essential role as priests add significant tensions to our already challenging and demanding ministry to God’s people. 

          Is there anyone among us who, having experienced the tremendously positive influence that the sacred priestly presence has had in the lives of so many of our young people, does not now hesitate to become involved in their lives, lest he be suspected of having other motives?  A good number of us are priests today because of our admiration and respect for a priest who took a personal interest in our Christian development.  Likewise, some of us felt the mysterious call to the Priesthood because, in our youth, someone who had already responded with joy and fidelity to such a call made us part of his priestly life.  What effect will all of this have on priestly vocations, which are so needed in the Church today? 

          Despite all these heart-wrenching experiences, we must continue to carry out our ministry to all sectors of the population, prudently but without fear.  Through the ‘signs of the times,’ God is calling us to re-dedicate ourselves to our sacred vocation, and to renew the “Spirit of holiness” invoked at the time of our priestly ordination.

          We cannot stop serving – and loving - those entrusted to our care.  We must take steps to support each other in concrete ways as we strive to collaborate in our service to God’s people.  In our own lives we need to overcome mistrust, jealousy, destructive criticism, and any other remnants of sin that can have such a deleterious effect in our lives and the lives of those whom we serve.  Only when these are transformed by the power of grace into gifts of the Spirit of Love, will our thoughts, prayers and actions – indeed, every aspect of our lives – become a manifestation of the One in whose very Person we have been configured by Sacred Ordination.  We must continue to pray for one another, so that “the Lord may bring to completion the good work He has begun in us.”

          As the one responsible – first before God, and also before the community of believers – for caring for the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens, and as a member by Baptism of the Church we love so much, I carry in my heart the distress, sorrows, longings and hopes that this time of trial has engendered in all of us.   I believe that this is a time of renewal, learning and growth, and that God is giving all of us the opportunity to make a difference.

          Jesus Christ, our Savior and Head of the Body, is closest to those who suffer.  In faith, hope and love, all of us – including victims and abusers – must seek His comforting and guiding Presence.  We especially do so in prayer, with the firm belief that “the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him”(Luke 11:10).  We do so with special intensity during these sacred days, when we join Christ as He endures his sufferings and death on the cross, in the hope of our own rising to a new and ever more faith-filled life with Him in His Resurrection.

                                                                        Sincerely in Christ,

                                                                        Most Reverend Thomas V. Daily, D.D.

                                                                        Bishop of Brooklyn

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