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Date: 02/23/2006 Money does not cure victims' anguish Victims say that suing the dioceses was the only course of action available to them by MARY NEVANS-PEDERSON Dubuque -- A monetary settlement alone will not end the pain suffered by the victims of predatory priests, but it can offer them a sense of validation. "It's not over for those people in Dubuque. There are still rough roads ahead every day of their lives," said Mike Hitch, 53, a victim of a serial molester, former priest James Janssen. Hitch was part of the $9 million settlement paid by the Diocese of Davenport in October 2004 to 36 men and one woman who were abused by priests in that diocese. Craig Levien, who represented the 37 plaintiffs, said the money provided "significant emotional and financial help" for his clients, but the story is not over for any of them. "Sadly, they still live with the burden (of having been abused) daily, and money alone does not right the wrong," Levien said. The Archdiocese of Dubuque agreed Tuesday to pay $5 million to 20 victims of abusive priests. Last week, the Davenport Diocese settled with five more clergy sexual abuse victims for $870,000. Levien defended the use of lawsuits against dioceses as the catalysts that pushed church leaders into action in the clergy sexual abuse crisis. "No matter what the bishops say they are doing, no changes happened until the lawsuits began," he said. In Levien's experience, victims do not decide to sue their church in response to monetary awards. "This is a difficult decision for the whole family. They only come forward after the name of an abuser is made public and they realize they were not the predator's only victim," he said. For Don Green, 39, having his diocese agree to pay settlement money to the victims made church leaders accountable for what happened to him and the other plaintiffs. Green said he was another of Janssen's victims, assaulted on a trip to Florida when he was 14. "It was the only time I've felt they've done anything. I consider it an admission of guilt," said Green, 39, of De Witt, Iowa. Green said when he confronted diocesan leaders 10 years ago, "I was believed, but there was no response." Receiving settlement money from that same diocese has bolstered his self-confidence. Although it was difficult for him at first, Hitch now tells his story publicly and started a victims' support group chapter in Oklahoma, where he now lives. Hitch said he was 11 when Janssen first demonstrated sexual functions on him in the basement of St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Madison, Iowa. Over the next several years, Janssen continued to abuse Hitch sexually, including in the teenager's own bedroom on overnight stays with his family. Although Hitch struggled with a variety of mental and emotional problems throughout his life, he had no plans to join in the lawsuits against his diocese until he tried to discuss his situation with church leaders. "I didn't like their attitude. They made me mad. A nice apology up- front would have stopped a lot of this," he said. Even though he was part of the $9 million settlement, Hitch was not satisfied with the diocese's response. "It felt like they were following the letter of the law and not the spirit. It was like, 'Here's your money. Now go away,'" he said. Levien described the bonding that developed between the abuse victims, before and during the settlement process. "They are there to support each other. This is not a self-motivated campaign. These people were working for a greater common good," he said. Copyright: Copyright 2006 Telegraph Herald |
Date: 02/26/2006 Archdiocese-victims settlement a positive step This acknowledgment might allow further healing by TELEGRAPH HERALD EDITORIAL The Archdiocese of Dubuque took a major step toward making amends last week when it settled lawsuits with 20 men and women who, as children, were molested by archdiocesan priests. Writing the victims a check does not mean an end to the tragedy. It does not make everything "right." It will not make victims whole again. Nobody is claiming that it will. However, settling the lawsuits demonstrates an effort by the current administration of the Catholic Church in Dubuque to stop the denials and the resistance and face this horrific reality. Children suffered life-altering abuse at the hands of some Catholic priests, 30 to 50 years ago. That abuse was compounded by the way church officials - and in many cases, even the victims' own families - responded to the revelations and accusations. Parents of these children could not believe what was being said about their parish priest; victims were the ones accused and made to feel guilty. Meanwhile, perpetrators were quietly transferred elsewhere, where the tragedy was repeated. It was a terrible - make that tragic - way to deal with these incidents and complaints. Officials of today's church are fully aware of that. Settling these 20 claims indicates that the current administration understands the gravity of these incidents occurring long before they assumed their current roles. This recompense is an act of contrition. While the $5 million figure is what grabs headlines - as it should - it should not be overlooked that money is only part of the settlement. For victims, it is likely not the most important stipulation. The archdiocese also agreed to make public the names and assignments of priests who have been publicly accused of abuse. Victims may have their day at the pulpit; those who choose to will be allowed to speak at their home parish or in the parish in which they were abused. And Archbishop Jerome Hanus has apologized to the victims - publicly and privately. In that apology, Hanus said his hope was that victims gain some sense of affirmation and validation from the settlement. He knows there are no words that can undo the tragic past. He also knows that genuine sorrow and compassion from current church leadership is important to the victims. It has been a long time coming. It is positive that it is here. Editorials reflect the consensus of the Telegraph Herald Editorial Board: Jim Normandin (Publisher), Brian Cooper, Ken Brown, Monty Gilles, Amy Gilligan and Sharon Welborn. Copyright: Copyright 2006 Telegraph Herald |