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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