COMMENTARY

Response to Archbishop Chaput
Gaile M. Pohlhaus, Ph.D., National VOTF secretary

How extraordinary that Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M.Cap., Archbishop of Denver, has chosen to accuse Marci Hamilton of making a statement that “does not withstand scrutiny.” Her statement is supported by facts and statistics. The archbishop’s is supported by his personal assumptions of motives.

His first point on targeting Catholic institutions draws a cause and effect assumption about the activities of lawyers and then quotes an unsupported statement by a California state senator. Evidently Archbishop Chaput does not realize that the support for better SOL laws and window legislation is supported by many secular and various religious (not only Christian) groups.

The window is designed to bring forward predators that have not yet been publicly identified. If institutions would let grand juries and public officials inspect records of malfeasance, such a step might not be necessary. Although Catholic bishops have promised to bring allegations to the attention of law officers immediately, recent cases in
Chicago and California show this does not happen.

Voice of the Faithful has been advocating for accountability at all levels of our Church from safe environment training to justice for survivors to financial transparency.

The slogan “if you want peace work for justice” applies here in the U.S. as much as it does throughout the world. Survivors are entitled to a just response to their abuse. Many are not looking for “payoffs” but for the assurance that their predators will not harm another child. We expect much more from our pastoral leaders. His letter is an embarrassment to all concerned Catholics.



In the Vineyard
October 5, 2006
Volume 5, Issue 17 Printer Friendly Version (PDF)


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