Survivors’ Support News

****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

****Survivors Speak – Wellesley, MA
Submitted by Paul Baier

In a panel discussion sponsored by Survivors First, seven men and women who have reached settlements with the Church shared their thoughts with fellow survivors. The group met at the Wellesley Public Library on Saturday July 19. Panelists discussed the lessons learned in their respective civil suits. Prominent among the many lessons noted were the following:

• Settlement is not nirvana for relieving pain. The recovery process involves dozens of steps. Many victims thought their pain would go away after the settlement and found they had more work to do.
• A support system of friends, family, and other survivors is critical. Several survivors contemplated suicide during the settlement and mediation processes but were buttressed by those who stood with them.
• Do not blindly trust your lawyer or Church officials. Get smart by talking with many other survivors who have been through the process. Being informed is empowering.

****Message on recent Supreme Court decision
Reported by SNAP

United States Supreme Court Case DOES NOT AFFECT Civil Cases

The United States Supreme Court handed down the Stogner v. California decision that invalidated use of retroactive statutes of limitations in CRIMINAL cases. As a result, many perpetrators will escape the criminal punishment that they deserve. In this way, Stogner is a horrible decision. In any case, I write to you to assure you that the Stogner decision DOES NOT AFFECT CIVIL cases. Stogner specifically distinguishes civil cases as not being impacted. What Stogner does do is emphasize the importance of civil litigation in this critical area of childhood sexual abuse. In fact, for many, filing a civil lawsuit is the only option for exposing the abusers and those who assist them. We need to keep the faith that the
journey upon which we have embarked will result in heightened protection of children. Keep making those police reports. Keep reporting crimes. If the criminally, we will prosecute civilly. Stogner has no impact whatsoever on a survivor's ability to bring a civil lawsuit.

The Healing Tree
A reflection by Steve Sheehan,
Survivor Support Working Group

In front of the official residence of the Boston, MA Archbishop, on a tiny strip of grass separating the sidewalk from the traffic-laden Commonwealth Avenue, stands a tree. It is not a very large tree, and it is not a very imposing tree. In fact, it is quite unremarkable when compared to the hundreds of trees that border this impressive thoroughfare that stretches from the Public Gardens in Boston to the Wellesley town line.

Nonetheless, this is a very special tree, and what makes it special is a very special person, Steven Lynch. Twice in his life Steve has made this tree his shelter and his shrine.

In 1999, Steve spent 40 days under this tree in a meditative vigil, in protest of the intransigence of the Archdiocese of Boston in dealing (or failing to deal) with the survivor community in their search for justice in the continuing scandal burgeoning in the Roman Catholic Church. At that time, Steve was dealing with a great deal of anguish and rage resulting from being brutally abused by a priest, and the failure of the Church to admit its complicity and provide for the healing of its victims.

This year, beginning on June 26 and ending on July 6, Steve sat beneath this same tree, fasting and meditating, not to express anguish and rage, but rather to gain, for himself, inner peace and tranquility. Steve asked that friends, supporters and other survivors join him from time to time in meditation and bring, if they so desired, small offerings of a meaningful nature to affix to the tree, to increase its healing energy. That so many did, speaks volumes about the efficacy of simply coming together in love, in peace and in togetherness.

The result was a tree bearing the fruit of many personal spiritual artifacts, memories, hopes and pleas – a tree that represented the spirituality of all who visited and spent time meditating under its welcoming branches, a tree that brought together many diverse personalities and backgrounds and created out of them a community of love, hope and peace.

Steve left this site on July 6, and the artifacts were removed from the tree, many who visited taking with them some article in remembrance of their personal experience in the shade and companionship of the “Healing Tree." Whether Steve will return once again to the tree is uncertain.

What is certain is that the tree still stands. It still sheds it cooling shade over this small plot of land. But much more than its mere presence is detectable here. The energy given to the tree by Steve, his friends, and the many objects that hung from its branches during this ten-day period continues to be dispensed by the tree to those visiting or passing by, should they take the time to stop and sense its effects. For the energy once accumulated and set in motion continues to radiate and spread to all who are willing to accept it.

This is the true message of the "Healing Tree." This is the message of Steve Lynch. This is the message that needs to be heard.

Thanks to Survivor Supporters for the “Support Our Survivors Walk” The final tally for the SOS Walk is in. After all expenses were paid, the profit is $4745.00!

Each of the 5 organizations that The Survivors Appeal oversees:
SNAP (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests), Linkup, CCS (Coalition of Catholics and Survivors), STTOP (Speak Truth to Power), SF (Survivors First)
will each receive $949.00 to benefit their group.

Special thanks to John Olbert at Merrimack College for helping us to arrange this event and to the Merrimack College administration for being so generous with their beautiful facilities. Also, we are so grateful to Ed Connolly of Connolly Insurance of Westford for the generous contribution of $250.00 toward Event Insurance.

Thanks also to Paul Baier from Survivors First, Anne Barrett Doyle from CCS, Ann Hagan Webb from SNAP, John Sacco from Linkup, Ruth Moore from STTOP and Andrea Johnson from VOTF who provided us with wonderful enrichment by explaining their various survivor advocacy groups, and what they do, in speeches they made at the SOS Walk.

This event was carefully planned, organized and staffed by the dedicated Westford Chelmsford Area VOTF Monday Morning Meeting group. It was generously sponsored by Westford Chelmsford Area VOTF, No. Andover (St. Michael's) VOTF, Andover (St. Augustine's) VOTF & Seacoast Affiliate VOTF.

Walkers, please take the time to thank your sponsors personally. Their generosity and your many laps around the field at Merrimack College truly show how much concern and goodwill there is for the many victims of clergy abuse.

Many thanks to all who made this event worthwhile and successful in both the public awareness we raised and the money that was earned. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!

Sincerely,
Lauren Franceschi
Stacey Quealey
Co-Coordinators, SOS Walk

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