Newswire

Led us astray, angry flock says

Beyond angry. Beyond demoralized. Beyond repulsed.

by John Grogan

In case Cardinal Justin Rigali still doubts how deeply scarred the Archdiocese of Philadelphia clergy child sex-abuse bombshell has left lay Catholics, I'd like to introduce him to a few members of his flock who have been e-mailing me this week.

Cardinal, meet Susan Nunnamaker of Jamison, a product of 12 years of Catholic schools in Philadelphia, including Cardinal Dougherty High School, where she recently learned several abusive priests had been shipped.

"I am so saddened and angry about the abuses, but absolutely devastated by the cover up," she wrote. "The scope of the abuse by these men that we were told were 'God's messengers on Earth' just leaves me speechless."

Cardinal, say hello to Georgann Brophy of West Chester, who wrote: "Our church leadership worried more about safeguarding the institution than about protecting the most innocent members of that institution. No amount of apology or future concern will ever make up for the destruction of the lives of those children."

Meet Michael West of Cherry Hill, who wanted you to know this: "After much thought and soul searching, I have decided to leave the Roman Catholic Church. This is not to say that I am leaving my faith... . I am embarrassed to call myself a Roman Catholic."

A tenuous faith

Talk to Chris Pentz, a lifelong Catholic from Levittown, Bristol Township, who told me: "My faith in God survives, but my faith in the Church has eroded completely."

Listen to Dolores Smith of Richboro, who wrote: "As a practicing Catholic all my 64 years... my rage is with the hierarchy. Shame, shame on all those that knew and turned their heads. My money will no longer contribute to their cover-up."

Feel the burn in the voice of Mike Worthington of West Chester when he noted acidly: "If Christ were in his grave still, He would surely roll over."

And then there is John J. Hoda of Schwenksville, who wrote with disgust: "I am 75 years old and consider myself a good practicing Catholic. I am concerned that my spiritual leader is just another member of the 'good old boys club', and he does not want to offend them with the criticism they deserve. I still have my Church and my faith, but if it were possible to impeach Cardinal Rigali I would be the first one to cast my vote."

Hear Debbie O'Connor of Philadelphia, when she said: "As a lapsed Catholic, I can only feel revulsion and then anger at these arrogant fools. It's just too tragic to contemplate."

An ashamed sister

Hear the pain in the voice of a Catholic nun who shall remain nameless because she works in the archdiocese. She told me: "Wearing a holy habit, which I love dearly, I am ashamed, to say the least. How could all those despicable offenses be allowed to continue, much less be covered up? The crimes now being exposed have scarred young children for a lifetime."

And from another nun: "Oh, how deep the hurt! How painful to realize the enormity and the horribleness of it. It tears me apart that our people have loved us and trusted us so much and some are suffering for doing so."

And then there is Emilio Celona of Glen Mills, who struggles with his faith: "I don't know what I will do, but I have serious reservations about entering another Catholic church. I don't see how people can trust priests again unless there is serious reform."

Sleep on this message from Kathy Burns of Bala Cynwyd: "What the priests did was awful. But what the Church leaders did was 10 times worse. They traded children for image and money."

And finally, try to answer Theresa Kumor of Northeast Philadelphia: "Years ago I was told by a priest that I would be excommunicated if I continued to practice birth control with my husband. None of the pedophiles were excommunicated even though they were defrocked. The Church has lost all credibility. How can they tell us we are sinners and deny us the sacraments when they have covered up the most egregious of sins?"

Cardinal Rigali, this is your flock. Beyond angry. Beyond demoralized. Beyond repulsed. Please tell us, how will you heal the wounds?


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Posted by Editor at September 30, 2005 06:17 AM