Vision Quest conference Results - Phase Two

A report is available from the discussionand dialoque at the Vision Quest Conference - Phase Two, which was held in Regina on Saturday, June 1, 2002

Look for the report on the bulletin report in the Gerein Centre or at the Archdiocesan web site: http://www.archregina.sk.ca/VisionQuest.htm#Report

References will be made to this report at theHoly Cross Parish  web site:  http://www.geocities.com/holy-cross/ and at the hcvisionquest online discussion.

Here are the topics at the Archdiocesan web site:

Changes in Demographics 

Youth

Ecumenism

Education

Evangelization

First Nations/Urban  First Nations/Metis

Lay Ministry Formation

Supporting Our Priests

Reaching Out - Inclusion

Role of Women

Rural and Urban

Communication
 

OFFICE CLOSED

St. Gregory the Great

St. John Chrysostom

St. Cornelius & St. Cyprian

St. Andrew Kim Taegon

St John de Brebeuf & St Isaac Jogues

St Vincent de Paul

Recent reports of sexual abuse of minors in the United Sates and other parts of the world have once again raised anxiety and concern among some Catholic parishioners in the Archdiocese of Regina. It is therefore appropriate that the Committee for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse for the Archdiocese update you on the steps that have been taken here to deal with this issue.

Unlike the situation being currently reported in the United States, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published, a full decade ago (1992), a set of guidelines for responding to this issue in a document entitled From Pain To Hope.   These guidelines were immediately implemented in the Archdiocese of Regina. Accordingly two committees were established to respond to allegations of sexual abuse by clergy, religious and other church workers. The first is the Advisory Committee to the Archbishop, established to investigate all allegations of abuse. The second is the Committee for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse, dedicated to addressing the special needs of those people who suffered abuse. The two committees operate independently of one another.

The Archdiocesan sexual abuse protocol is direct and simple.  When the Archdiocese becomes aware of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, religious or Archdiocesan worker, a referral is immediately made to the Advisory Committee for investigation.  A "Minor" is defined by provincial legislation to be any person under the age of sixteen (16) years.  If the allegation involves an individual who is currently a minor, the matter is also referred to Saskatchewan Social Services or the Police.

Membership on the Advisory Committee includes two psychologists, a social worker, a member of the clergy, a lawyer and a health professional.      The professionals on this committee are experienced and have expertise in handling issues of sexual misconduct. Since the inception of the protocol, the Advisory Committee has investigated allegations of abuse involving three members of the clergy. All of these allegations date back 25 to 30 years. The investigations found that two of the clergy involved were culpable. In the third case no grounds were found for the allegation. Both of the accused found culpable faced criminal charges and were found guilty. A third priest against whom allegations were brought was dealt with directly by the criminal justice system and found guilty. There was no need in this case for involvement of the Advisory Committee. Of the three priests found culpable, two served time in correctional institutions and one was given a conditional sentence. These priests were removed from ministry and also received extensive treatment services.

The victims/survivors of the abuse were offered assistance to help them deal with the devastating effects of their abuse. This included counseling services of their choice, paid for by the Archdiocese. To date the total number of victims identified is fewer than twenty.

There are currently no allegations of abuse of minors under investigation involving the Archdiocese.

The courts have determined that the Archdiocese has no liability for abuses that may have occurred in Residential Schools within the boundaries of the Archdiocese that were owned by the Government of Canada.

To put the abuse issue in context, there are 108 active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese. Yet, because of the high profile of these cases, one is left with the impression that sexual abuse of minors is rampant within the church. These cases have the potential of tainting the reputations of all our clergy and discrediting the church itself, The fall-out is borne by all of us. This is a time when our clergy need our support.

Nonetheless, the actual incidents of abuse are real, and the damage inflicted on both the victims/survivors, and the credibility of the church is immeasurable. The effect on the victims is profound and usually invisible. We express our deep sorrow at this breach of trust.

Experience has shown that wounds inflicted by sexual abuse can have long lasting and serious consequences, not the least of which is a loss of faith and trust in others. We have attempted to reach out with compassion, sensitivity and justice to those who have been hurt. Most importantly, we have acknowledged that they have been wronged and that we as the church will provide them with assistance to bring healing and justice to their lives.

The Archdiocese also acknowledges that mistakes in handling allegations of abuse were made in the past. It is only in the past ten to fifteen years that the reality, incidence and devastating effects of abuse have been understood, let alone acknowledged. This is true both within the church and in society at large. This has been a difficult and painful awakening for all of us.

Since the first revelation of the problem, some ten years ago, the Committee for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse has conducted workshops on sexual abuse for any parish that was interested in learning more about the issue. As a result more than twenty workshops have been held across the Archdiocese. These were provided free of charge by the professional volunteers that make up the Committee for Victims. This was an attempt to provide our parishioners with information about the dynamics of sexual abuse and its relevance to the situation in the church.

Seminaries across Canada have now devised psychological protocols and assessment devices aimed at screening out potential abusers. The training and formation of seminarians now pays more attention to the 
overall social preparation of our future priests.

Let us hope and pray that this painful chapter in our long history will be a cleansing and healing process from which the church will emerge as the true servant of the healing ministry of Jesus.

This document is respectfully submitted on behalf of Archbishop Peter Mallon by the Archdiocesan Committee for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse.

FAMILIA – Parents of Young Children: Learn better ways to share your faith with your children and enjoy the fellowship of others who are committed to marriage and family. For information call Jason and Rose at 789-8849.  Information/registration nights: 7:30-8:30 p.m. at  St. Martin’s on Tues, Sept. 3 and at Holy Child on Wed., Sept. 4th.

GARAGE  AND CLOTHING SALES – Sat. Sept. 7, 9 to 4, 3018 Doan Dr. (at Arcola).  Garage sale & mini-fair. Tables may be rented for $15.  Contact Jackie: 585-9879. Sponsored by: Bread of Life Lutheran, Eastside United and St. Philip Anglican Churches. Children’s Quality Used Clothing Sale – Broadway United, Sept. 28, 1 – 3 p.m.

CELEBRITY ROAST – Fund raiser at Holy Rosary. Roastee: Mayor Pat Fiacco, Thurs., Sept. 19.
Tickets available at Holy Rosary Cathedral office, 565-0909.  Tickets $50, $35 tax receipt available.

ATTENTION PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM – Holy  Trinity School of Religion invites you to attend an Information/Registration Evening Sun., Sept. 15, 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Parish Centre.  No late registrations will be taken.  The School of Religion is held Sunday mornings at St. Mary School beginning Sept. 22.  For info, call Susan: 545-6876.

FAITH SHARING SUPPER – Guest Speaker: Ron Wormsbecker, Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Hall. Advance tickets available until Sept. 18 ($10; at the door $15) at Burns Hanley Church Supplies or from members of the Prayer Group. 

FALL SUPPER – Sacred Heart Church, Sat., Sept. 21.  Sittings: 4:45 and 6:15 p.m.  Adults $8, children 5 –10 years $4, under 5 free.  Advance tickets only, call Audrey 545-5005 or Theresa 352-2379.

ST. MICHAEL’S RETREAT – “The Winding Path”  A centering Prayer/Labyrinth Walk Day, Friday, Sept. 20, 9:30 to 4:00 p.m.   Guest speaker –Terence Marner. Cost -$25.  See literature racks for more programs at St. Michael’s.

JOHN PAUL II CENTRE WORKSHOPS
The Wind of Bluesky: Exhibition of paintings by artist Jeff Crowe. Sept. 3-Oct. 20, Mon. to Fri., during office hours  9-12:00 and 1:30-4:30. 

Christian Mediation according to John Main:  Mondays, Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 14, Nov. 4 & 11, Dec. 3& 9.  Sister Hilda Lang.

Christopher Leadership Course – 7-9:30 p.m. Thurs. Sept. 26 to Nov. 28.
Copies of the complete list of the John Paul II Fall program are available at the entrances. 

DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE – hosted by Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy, Sept. 27-28, Miller High School.  Contact EADM, Box 82 Lumsden, S0G 3C0 or call 1-306-731-2131.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Catholic Family Services is in need of volunteers to work in a one on one group setting relationship with children under the age of five years while the young parents of these children attend a parenting group.  Volunteers are needed for Wednesdays and/or Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Sept. – June. If you can help out call Dorothy: 525-4857. 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Holy Child Parish is in need of a banquet cook – part time/weekends.  Requirements: food handling course, previous banquet cooking experience for over 150 people.  Submit resume to Hall Committee, Holy Child Parish by Sept. 15.

THE MUSICAL STORY OF JEREMIAH 
Oct. 11 – 13, 7:30 p.m. Centre of the Arts.  Based on the Jewish Biblical Old Testament Prophet, Jeremiah’s ancient and timeless encounter with God is brought to life in a fresh new musical of great beauty, power and passion.  This is an exciting multi-denominational production,  written, directed, composed by Canadians, with additional out-of-town performers, and has international involvement with production design coming from South Africa.  Holy Cross parishioners: Karen Eisler, Daryl-Lynne and Paul LeMieux are involved (singing or acting) in this musical!