At least 260 people attended the Listening Session at Holy Angels in West Bend on May 16, 2002. About two thirds were women and about two thirds were older rather than younger. The general tone of the meeting was respectful, notwithstanding expressions of anger, frustration and embarrassment. Opinions about the process were varied. Some people found it good to gather in groups, to speak to our priests who were present and recognize the good in priests generally. Many expressed gratitude for the information in the Question & Answer Sheets, and the general sentiment was that they would have preferred to have received and read them before the meeting. Others found the Question & Answer Sheets and the small group process “controlling.” One person submitted an abuse policy used by a social service agency for the Archdiocese to consider. Three former priests submitted a request for optional celibacy in the priesthood. Some wished the Archbishop or another Church official had been present. One individual thought the table conversations should have been tape recorded and transcribed by someone at the central offices.

Five major themes surfaced in the listening session based on the written table reports and the individual responses submitted in writing.

1. Credibility of the Church, trust of the hierarchy
The Church needs to go overboard to be open and honest to restore credibility. We need to be able to believe our bishops. Credibility has diminished because we do not know the names of the six priests (or twelve priests) still in active ministry who have allegedly abused minors. If a priest is removed from active ministry the people deserve to know why he was removed. The credibility will be enhanced as secrecy is eliminated. Silencing victims hurts the Church. It would be a great advantage if there could be uniform policies across dioceses in the United States. Many stated that “covering up” this problem is unacceptable. Was “covering up” necessary because of the priest shortage?

2. Seminary Screening, Training and Recruitment
People suggested better screening and training of candidates for the priesthood so that the abuse would not happen in the first place. Let’s work on prevention.

3. Optional Celibacy, Married Men Clergy, Women Clergy
Priests should be allowed to get married and have a family. That will increase the pool of candidates to the priesthood. One person questioned how we can support homosexual persons in the seminary and in the field and let 20,000 married priests not minister as priests and claim there is a priest shortage? Let priests who are married come back and be active priests. Ordain women.

4. Financing the care of victims/survivors
Many expressed the need to support victims and their families. Questions were raised about how much and the source of the money spent to help victims. (This information will be forth coming from the Archdiocese and published in the Catholic Herald.)

5. Special Commission Report and Zero Tolerance
Most groups felt that there needed to be a strict enforcement of zero tolerance. A few people felt that forgiveness should be considered in the policy. Some people were insulted that acceptance of zero tolerance even needed to be discussed. Most people felt that zero tolerance should be extended to past offenders.

One group expressed some concern about laicizing an accused pedophile priest, because if he is laicized and out on his own, who will monitor him to protect the victims?

The groups supported all the recommendations of the Special Commission. Many commented on how important it was to have independent agencies and civil servants investigate allegations, rather than anyone at the archdiocese.

General comments about priests

1. Many expressed gratitude for the priests who are and have served so faithfully and want them to feel affirmed.
2. Recognize that we are all victims of this crisis.
3. Priests should be held to a higher standard of behavior than lay people.
4. Some commented on abuse of adults by priests because the priest still has the “Upper Hand.”
5. Project Benjamin is not working properly.
6. One person expressed concern about pastors who have not addressed, or who minimize this issue. How will victims/families come forward if the topic is not opened for discussion.

Suggestions for the future

1. Have town hall meetings rather than small group “canned” process.
2. Become more proactive in educating adults especially, parents and children regarding child abuse.
3. Somehow make it easy for parents and children to come forward.
4. Be sure there is “due process” for the accused.
5. Have meetings on different days and schedule so parents can attend.
6. Reevaluate Project Benjamin and make it stronger, more compassionate to victims.
7. The results of the Listening Sessions should be put in the Catholic Herald.
8. We need sessions for survivors, where media is not present. I am a professional person. I do not want my picture on the evening news.

Some comments and questions not included in what has been previously stated:

1. Are offending priests kept in their positions because there is a shortage of priests?
2. Statute of Limitations should not be used as a guideline.
3. Make known the names of people who serve on Project Benjamin and tell who appointed them.
4. All accusations need to be brought to civil authorities.
5. There needs to be better communication about these issues. We want to see more openness in the Church regarding problems that face the Church.
6. Don’t blame therapists for the advice they gave years ago (Q & A #7.). This should not be an excuse for letting priests continue to serve.
7. We learned more from the Question and Answer Sheet than we learned in the media.
8. Pedophilia and ephebophilia implies “multiple victims.” We should not allow an opportunity for more than one substantiated victim.
9. Are other religions having this problem or is the press just picking on Catholics?
10. Why was 1917 Canon Law 2359 paragraph two changed in 1983 (1395, paragraph 2) to remove defined response into subjective decision?
11. Why isn’t evil mentioned? Number 4 (Q&A;) is a whitewash.
12. Priests who commit a crime should be treated like criminals.
13. What is covered in the word ministry? What does permanently removed from ministry mean?
14. How can we deal with false allegations?
15. There is confusion about cases dismissed in court and court costs.
16. Priests guilty of child abuse should not receive any compensation from the Archdiocese.
17. Question & Answer Sheet is a cover up.
18. How was Fr. Haen allowed to say Mass without another priest with him?
19. There are still many individuals who have not healed from abuse. Neither the Archdiocese nor Project Benjamin has helped them. Who will find and help them?
20. Apologies must be forth coming. No more payouts.
21. The Holy Spirit is working overtime at the present in the Church. Let’s open the windows and let the Spirit in.
22. The laity should help deal with rubric violations in the Church.
23. How is an accused person monitored? How much has been paid for priests legal fees? By whom?
24. Make sure there is due process for the accused.
25. Become proactive in educating parents and children about child/sexual abuse, its warning signs and what to do if/when it occurs.