Clergy Abuse and the Healing Process
A Room With A Pew
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Our Mirror Selves

12/19/2016

 
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“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”
​                                                                                                   --Shirley Chisholm

​
          During its annual meeting this past November, the board of directors of Instruments of Peace unanimously adopted a resolution to conclude business and dissolve the nonprofit. It was agreed that its main program, SafeNet, which John McCord and I co-founded in 2003, would revert to an all-volunteer advocacy group and continue its work without financial assistance. “SafeNet” is an acronym for “Survivors Alliance and Franciscan Exchange Network.” With a return to its roots, the “Franciscan” aspect of its name would once again impart a deeper meaning to a ministry of service.   
          The decision to end was not easy. It was in line with the reality of shrinking resources and the knowledge that we had done our best to fulfill our purpose. In its eight years of incorporation, Instruments of Peace had accomplished many worthwhile endeavors focusing its attention on programs that fostered individual and community reconciliations. There were the usual setbacks and frustrations that every nonprofit faced, but they only helped to remind us of the value of the work and those it served.
 
          Many people helped sustain the efforts of Instruments of Peace from the very beginning. This included survivors, their families, members of the community and those involved in law, education, psychology and journalism. It also received support from a handful of Franciscans and other members of the clergy. To these and many others we extend our gratitude.     
 
When Standing Up Counts Most
 
          With regard to the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara, it has been in a tailspin for some years now. It has been spiraling into the notion that its own survival may depend on consolidating with other Franciscan provinces in the country. It’s possible, then, that even the very little we did expect of new provincial David Gaa was, in a sense, too much to expect. The opportunities for corrective measures which the promise of his leadership held for many have all but dissipated among survivors. This has been a perplexing development. I believe Gaa is an honest man devoted to meaningful pastoral work. But core issues of healing and reconciliation for survivors and communities—which were raised during a private meeting between us—may have overwhelmed him. I can appreciate the many duties and concerns of running a religious order and the business of keeping it solvent. But I cannot accept that I or any other survivor should have to remind the church of its obligation to those it has harmed. 
 
          As for friars Dan Barica, John Hardin, Richard McManus, Brian Trawick, Angelo Cardinale and others, I understand why these men may never change. Theirs is a stubborn but clueless reality. In the world they occupy there are no winners in a pointless fight for sanity and reason. That the province will eventually suffer for their stupidities is no wish of mine. But it's clear from a strictly historical standpoint that their abysmal behavior will inevitably result in future harm to themselves and their order. If consolidation of the Franciscan provinces becomes a reality, you can be certain that inheriting each other’s sins and liabilities will become one, too.  
 
          The religious brotherhood that the Franciscans in this province profess loyalty to is often at odds with enlightened change. They are certainly not the only members of the clergy who fail to stand up and be counted when standing up counts most. But friars who act like spoiled children mistakenly believe the reflective lens they hold up reveals everyone's face but their own. Many simply cannot see that they have become the fools of their own narcissism.  
 
          This is the universe that the Province of St. Barbara is hurling itself through. I was taught and schooled by the friars and worked with them on and off for over forty years. I’ve seen how some have embraced truth and initiated painful but productive periods of growth and understanding. I’ve also watched as others have failed to grasp even the fundamental holiness of their task which the clergy abuse crisis helped magnify and define. Astonishingly, not one friar in the province has shown any interest in creating a ministry for clergy abuse survivors or crafting a sustainable model for helping communities cope with the fallout. The late Alberic Smith was the last friar to devote himself to this cause--and he was mostly mocked for doing so by other friars who seemed to cherish their denial as if it were a subscription to Boy’s Life.
 
          The distressing manner in which some Franciscans have conducted themselves on this issue comes as no surprise to those who understand a simple, basic truth: words without action and action without thought are the cynical tools of rogues and frauds. The red flag that has been raised here is that our acceptance of bad behavior in this confused brotherhood has created an anomaly which has grown steadily like a cancer deep within the very teachings of St. Francis.
 
          In the end, service work remains a spiritual practice that tenders no regrets, only humility. True instruments of peace may be those more willing to listen and speak with their hearts than with their heads. They may be the parish priests who remind us from the pulpit to pray for those the church has harmed. They may be the men and women who help us understand clergy abuse by sharing their stories with us. And they may also be our mirror selves who tend to offer us a hint of redemption in our desire to reach and be reached. 
 
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NOTE: A Room With A Pew has gained a loyal following for which I am truly thankful. With the partisan shadow of abnormal times upon us, the worst kind of hucksters are gearing up to market and sell a new brand of normal. This blog will remain part of the resistance that goes on offering an unorthodox slant on religious, social and political issues. As questions of abuse and trauma take on new meanings, I will continue to use this space to express opinions and feelings that convey and challenge the recovery process in all its diverse and complex forms.
 
Jesus Reyes
12/19/2016 03:33:38 pm

Thanks for expressing the courage to move ahead, in spite of the obstacles and challenges. As a student at St. Anthony's during the 1980 Freshman Class of 1984. I know past victims and the those who victimized them. I was fortunate to have not been one of them, but still hurt for my brothers that were. In spite of the hazing that was allowed, even condoned, they were my brothers and will be as long as we remain in contact, and everafter. I think we, the class of 1984 were the only class without a yearbook. What happened to our pictures, drawings and poetry?

Paul Fericano link
12/19/2016 04:05:54 pm

Thanks for sharing, Jesus. The closing of St. Anthony's Seminary was painful and traumatic for a great many students. It didn't help that the Franciscans had inadequately prepared for its demise; or that the rector himself (friar Robert Van Handel) would eventually be arrested and convicted for molesting boys.

After more than thirty years, survivors and other schoolmates from your specific era (the eighties) are beginning to tell their stories. It often takes decades to speak of what happened and to look for answers. I compare it to survivors from the fifties and sixties who eventually came forward in the nineties.

Regarding your class memorabilia, I'll check my various resources and see what I can discover.

Lois Klein
12/19/2016 03:34:39 pm

Paul, your work and words inspire us, and remind us that every voice counts. Thank you!

David Bennett
12/20/2016 01:22:39 am

Paul, you are a mensch. I admire how you've established what you -- and others -- need, and you spent years to accomplish it ... and now you have what seems the wisdom and fortitude to move on, not really satisfied but knowing your efforts are part of the public record and can't be erased. In fact they have a life of their own. Best of luck in what comes next for you. David

John Gronbeck-Tedesco
12/21/2016 10:43:55 am

All peace and goodness, Paul.

John

Elsa Granados link
12/21/2016 05:08:04 pm

Paul, thank you for your words. I have been and will continue to be a supporter, personally and professionally. Please let me know if Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center can assist in some way.

Catherine Stryker
1/10/2017 10:24:29 am

Aloha Paul,
I am so sorry to hear the time has come to discontinue Instruments of Peace, but happy to see you will continue SafeNet. It is not in vain.
Only comment I have is regarding McManus, and friends. They cannot acknowledge the unthinkable evil and harm done to innocents, anymore then Goering, and other gestapo during WW11. They would self destruct for shame of knowledge of what they allowed to go on.

May God bless you, strengthen you, guide you in your purposeful ministry,
Catherine

Miguel Prats link
1/11/2017 02:32:03 pm

You said:
"With the partisan shadow of abnormal times upon us, the worst kind of hucksters are gearing up to market and sell a new brand of normal. This blog will remain part of the resistance that goes on offering an unorthodox slant on religious, social and political issues. As questions of abuse and trauma take on new meanings, I will continue to use this space to express opinions and feelings that convey and challenge the recovery process in all its diverse and complex forms."

Thank you for continuing your fight for good causes Paul. You are in MGN's prayers.

Charlene Niemi
1/11/2017 08:19:05 pm

Paul, You have such a gift to put into words what is in your heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. Sadly, the work is not done.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Charlene


Comments are closed.

    Author

    A Room With A Pew is a thought-provoking column on clergy abuse and the healing process. Its content reflects the observations, opinions and experiences of Paul Fericano, a former student who attended Saint Anthony’s Seminary in Santa Barbara in the sixties, and a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. Fericano co-founded SafeNet in 2003, and returned to Santa Barbara that same year to assist the community in recovery. As a poet, satirist and author, he is actively engaged in advocacy, social justice and reconciliation efforts. He supports and encourages those who have been harmed by the Catholic church to explore the healing process, pursue justice with compassion, and to reclaim their past. He is the editor and co-founder of Yossarian Universal News Service (YU News Service), the nation's first parody news syndicate established in 1980. His spiritual practice includes challenging himself to look for humor in the shadows.

    Archives 
    A Room With A Pew
    Memories of Better Days Persist
    Many St. Anthony's students have contacted me, and one asked about the barbershop, where he had sought refuge one day after his offender beat him. Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    TUES., APRIL 1, 2014
    ---
    No Matter How High the Hedge Grows
    The Solidarity Project memorial for clergy abuse survivors at Mission Santa Barbara was vandalized for a second time by a person employed by the Franciscans.
     Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    WED., MARCH 5, 2014
    ---
    Mario (Walter) Cimmarrusti, OFM: 1931 - 2013
    The Worst of What We Lived
    My offender, a notorious Catholic priest and Franciscan friar who abused many boys at St. Anthony's Seminary, died on November 23, 2013. 
    Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    THURS., FEBRUARY 13, 2014
    ---
    The Roots of Pastoral Response
    Pastoral response is the kind of outreach by the church that is absolutely essential to the healing process.
    Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    WED., FEBRUARY 5, 2014
    ---
    Looking for Francis in the Franciscans
    Among survivors of clergy abuse, what puzzles, angers, and disappoints many is the shortage of moral courage among the friars in general. 
    Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    WED., JANUARY 8, 2014
    ---
    From Survival to Forgiveness
    In 1965 when I was 14 I was sexually abused at St. Anthony’s, a Catholic minor seminary in Santa Barbara operated by the Franciscan religious order. 
    Read story.
    by PAUL FERICANO
    THURS., DECEMBER 5, 2013

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