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Survivors' Support News

David Cerulli, National Board of Directors and Co-Director, New York City Area Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) snapnyc@rcn.com, www.snapnetwork.org submits the following invitation. There is additional information on the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org.

****SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS.
SNAP Mid- Atlantic Meeting and Conference. THEME: BREAKING THE SILENCE. For all survivors and their supporters to share, listen, learn, support and plan. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) New York City, New York, 8th Avenue & 27th Street, "A" Building, David Dubinsky Student Center, Faculty Dining Room, 8th Floor. 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact snapoutreach@aol.com or call 718-492-2177. Indicate if attending all day, a.m. or p.m. $15.00 suggested donation (no one turned away). Breakfast included for morning arrivals. Lunch on your own. Be sure to visit our website at www.snapnetwork.org

Featuring these Speakers, a Panel Discussion and more: "

  • Professor Marci Hamilton: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law "
  • Marion White: Exec. Director Child Abuse Prevention Program "
  • David Clohessy: National Director of SNAP "
  • Sister Sally Butler, O.P.: Supporter of clergy abuse victims "
  • Panel Discussion on "Breaking the Silence"

****A Musical Tribute
Submitted by Steve Sheehan

On September 28, 20003 at 5:00 pm, a chamber music concert will be performed at the Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA.

Admission to the concert will be free. Concert attendees are asked to make a good will offering to support SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

The program will be presented by John Ferrillo, Elizabeth Ostling and Elita Kang of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Carol Rodland of the New England Conservatory, and Hugh Hinton of the Longy School of Music.

The program will consist of works by Bach, Schumann, DeBussy, Barber, Loefflre and Messiaen. PLEASE HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS!

For further information please visit the survivor pages of the VOTF web site or contact Steve Sheehan at: sheehan1777@aol.com

****The St. Mary's VOTF is sponsoring a MOVIE NIGHT on Wednesday, October 22 at the West Newton Cinema to benefit The Lighthouse in Boston and will hold a raffle at the theater. Tickets can be purchased through the Lighthouse Web site at http://www.thelighthousefoundationinc.org.

**** I wrote this poem as a reflection on the sexual abuse scandal in the Church and a tribute to those survivors. Linda Bennett

Survivors I began as a mere seed Then roughly pushing my way through, I emerged young and green and new. The bright light shocked But had a compelling quality Which I could not resist And I reached eagerly toward it, Accepting its vibrancy and life. Usually life was quiet, But sometimes puzzling And meandering voices Accosted my reverie and contentment. I tried to ignore and dispel those images and sounds And I usually succeeded and grew stronger, More majestic, and surprisingly beautiful. But one of those voice things began to come too close, Even touching, fondling me. I wanted to shout, "Go away, leave me alone." But I was voiceless, silent. And no one cared or showed interest. My apprehension grew as that thing Continued to come close More and more often. Then one day the unthinkable happened: Hands came about my neck, twisted, and pulled. I, spent and puzzled and aching, Heard, "This will work for the arrangement." And I, a prisoner, became a dying ornamentation.

SURVIVOR SUMMER: A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
A reflection by Survivor Support Working Group member Steve Sheehan

The summer of 2003 has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the survivors of clergy abuse. The ups and downs brought mixed emotions and varied responses across the survivor and advocate communities. Roller coasters, however, gradually diminish their vertical gyrations and come to an end. The survivor community hasn't had that luxury. They continue to experience emotional upheaval with no end in sight.

1. The arrival of Sean O'Malley

The permanent replacement for Cardinal Law arrived to mixed feelings and great expectations in the person of Bishop Sean O'Malley. While many survivors and supporters welcomed the Bishop, many felt that he had not gone as far as he should have and could have in the handling of abuse cases in the Fall River diocese. Nonetheless, it was almost universally acknowledged that Bishop O'Malley demonstrated a caring, open, compassionate and understanding presence that had been sorely lacking in the Archdiocese for a long time.

2. The Healing Tree

The "Healing Tree" was reported on in a previous issue of In the Vineyard and sought to bring some peace and comfort into an otherwise stressful and contentious atmosphere through the period of fast and meditation by Steve Lynch.

3. The Attorney General's Report

At long last, the report of The Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston," detailing the responsibilities and failures of the Archdiocese of Boston in the handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations and investigations by the chancery and its agents, was publicly released on July 23. Although it was clear from the investigation that crimes had been committed, charges would not be brought against members of the hierarchy due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and the lack of an applicable law governing accomplices after the fact. This failure to prosecute, although correct in light of applicable Massachusetts law, was felt as a re-victimization within the survivor community.

4. Art and meditation at The Lighthouse

An afternoon with Arthur Austin, Cathy Dwyer and Bob Hatch who displayed, read, and discussed their writings and art followed by a period of meditation led by Steven Lynch, was held at The Lighthouse on Saturday, July 19. This was the first in a series of planned events to bring more people to The Lighthouse and expand its sphere of activity in support of the survivor community.

4. Secrecy Institutionalized

The release of a document "Crimen Sollicitationis" issued by the Vatican on March 16, 1962 and signed by Pope John XXIII, detailing the level of secrecy to be maintained among the clergy in penitential cases of sexual crimes (including pedophilia) caused considerable upheaval in the survivor community. While further study indicates that this paper had no or little effect on the current situation as we have experienced it, the mere fact that the document exists and was released at this time has further alienated many survivors and their supporters from the hierarchy.

5. Musical Tribute to Survivors

To close on a brighter note, readers are reminded of the "Musical Tribute to Survivors" to be presented in Pickman Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts on the afternoon of Sunday, September 28. A program of classical music will be presented followed by a reception with light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the participating artists. The program is free. Donations will be accepted for the benefit of the Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests (S.N.A.P.)

 

 

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In the Vineyard
September '03
Volume 2, Issue 10

Page One

Survivor Support News

Jim Post visits the Pacific Northwest

Working Group Reports: Structural Change and Voice of Renewal

Parish Voice News

Events, Opportunities & News

Best Practices

Letters to the Editor

Education Corner

A VOTF Gathering Prayer

Request a Copy of Annual Report

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In the Vineyard Archives

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