Pope John Paul II and Bishops Address Sexual Abuse Scandal

By Fr. Dan McKean
St. Patrick Parish, Brighton

April 21, 2002

Remember what it was like to get called to the principal's office - you knew it couldn't be good. Well, in a rare move Pope John Paul II has summoned the U.S. Cardinals to Rome. Wouldn't you just love to be a fly on the wall in the Vatican? Despite what the media would like you to believe, the Pope's intervention has nothing to do with a fear of the Church's financial standing. Pope John Paul II is a strong moral leader and he will not stand for injustices in the world, and especially not within the Catholic Church. Whether you agree with the Pope in all matters or not, his pontificate has been about insuring that the Catholic Church has a strong voice in matters of morals and the gospels.

Moral leadership is what this all comes down to, and quite frankly what is frustrating to Catholics, including priests, is the feeling that our Church's leadership could use some lessons in leadership. In the past 4 months since this scandal came to a head, it has been my observation that the real leadership has come from the pulpits of parishes by priests and pastors. For the most part our Cardinals and Bishops have been too besieged to say, or do anything. This doesn't mean that they aren't doing anything.

Our bishops are working feverishly just to keep their heads above water. Dioceses across the nation are getting new allegations every day. Rest assured that, at least according to our own bishop, most, if not all of these allegations are groundless. Still, they have to deal with each of them. Take it from me; the making of an allegation against a priest has almost become a national past time. In all cases, both the rights of the accused, as well as their accusers need to be safeguarded.

Last Sunday Bishop Carl Mengeling met with the priests of our diocese on this issue. Here is what you should know is happening in your own diocese, as well as the direction that the nation's bishops are taking. Bishop Mengeling spoke very frankly about his belief that the press reporting of this scandal has been a mixed blessing for the church. The truth will not only set us free, but makes us face our challenges. As a relatively new bishop, he expressed just how much he has come to understand the horror experienced by the victims of priest who abuse minors. In very plain terms Bishop Mengeling told us that the Diocese of Lansing has a zero tolerance policy. Any priest convicted will not be given a new assignment in a parish, or be in contact with minors.

Should a creditable accusation be made against a priest, the priest (who is still innocent until proven guilty) will be placed on Administrative leave and his parish informed that an allegation is being investigated. This is different than a medical leave when a priest is on leave for other reasons. Should the claim be substantiated, it will be turned over to civil authorities.

Unfortunately, while many wonder why the bishops aren't more open in addressing the needs of the victims of abuse, most commonly attorneys are retained and lawsuits initiated. Once this happens, communications only happen between the lawyers. Very soon you will see that there will be a national policy adopted, or imposed by the U.S. Conference of Bishops making these policies mandatory.

For my two-cents, if I were the Pope, I would have some pretty stern words for the Cardinals. I would also begin to wonder what qualifications made me choose them in the first place. If reform is to happen in the Church it must come from all levels - this includes strong moral & religious leaders and not those happen to have power or position.

Bishop Mengeling reminded us that abuse of minors is a plague in our society. While it's not much of a comfort, clergy abuse of minors is a mere fraction of what it is in wider society. We will continue to create a church environment that would eliminate even the possibility of abuse.