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Archdiocese of Hartford Reaches Settlement Agreement

The following commentary, delivered by Fr. John P. Gatzak, was originally broadcast during Crossroads Magazine™ on November 5 and 6, 2005.

This week, the Archdiocese of Hartford settled forty three claims of sexual abuse, following over two years of structured mediation.  The reported incidents of abuse occurred primarily during the 1960’s and 1970’s with a few cases occurring in the first half of the 1980’s.  The total settlement amount, 22 million dollars, is being paid to 43 claimants who reported acts of sexual misconduct experienced by them as minors, involving 14 priests of the Archdiocese.  This settlement is funded primarily by insurance and long-term savings.  None of the funding is coming from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

So what does this mean?  As a Connecticut Catholic, what am I to think?  I too am a Connecticut Catholic, and as spokesperson for the Archdiocese, I have been intimately involved with this week’s events.  I can only tell you what I know, and how I personally have come to terms with all this.

Young people’s lives were shattered… there was indeed much pain and suffering, and the handful of priests not only brutally damaged their victims; their actions also brutally challenged our faith.  But, mostly what I’ve come to realize this week, these months, is that this is a horrible chapter of our PAST… in Hartford, these events took place mostly 30 + years ago.

Also, what I know is that the Archdiocese is not backing away from that past… rather, we are facing the challenge to learn from these very sick mistakes, and never to allow history to repeat itself.  In reaching this settlement, the dollars are a symbol of the Church’s pain and sorrow, and a plea for forgiveness.  This settlement is just part of a comprehensive program the Archdiocese has in place to make sure that, never never again will a child suffer at the hands of anyone who is associated with the Church.  The Archdiocese is proactive in keeping our children safe.

We have established a Safe Environment Program which is being implemented in Archdiocesan elementary schools and in parishes.  It sensitizes children and young people to the sad fact that not all adults should be trusted.  It teaches them how to protect themselves from predators.

All archdiocesan clergy, employees and adult volunteers who deal with children on a regular basis are required to attend an intense training session on sexual abuse.  And, complete background checks are done on all these employees and volunteers.

The Archdiocese has in place a Review Board, consisting mainly of lay-persons not employed by the Archdiocese.  They are responsible for the independent review of any charges of sexual abuse and serve as advisors to the Archbishop.  Of course, any claims of abuse are immediately reported to the State Department of Children and Families.  And, full cooperation is given to the authorities.

The Archdiocese has a Victim Assistance Coordinator who works closely with all victims with an offer of therapy, and pastoral care by Archbishop Mansell.

The Archdiocese of Hartford is in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002.

We’ve learned a great deal.  Forty years ago, very little was known about pedophilia.  It was believed to be treatable, and rehabilitation was wrongly assumed in many cases.  Today’s Church leaders are working very diligently to make sure that children are safe from sexual abuse everywhere… not only clerical sexual abuse… but the even more prevalent abuse that happens in the home, by families and friends, and strangers.

When I read the details of these cases in the news, I like you, cringe… my heart is broken for the victims… my heart is also broken for the rest of us who knew and trusted this handful of sick men who called themselves our spiritual leaders.  But, in my heart I know that the vast majority of my brother priests are good, dedicated, prayerful men who hate these events as much as I do.  I also know that the sins of a few urgently remind me of my need for faith… and for hope and love.  One answer is prayer.  Prayers for healing, for forgiveness, for changes of heart.  And, of course, prayers for the future… that no child will ever be caused to suffer again, at the hands of any vile predator, and that the Archdiocese and our Archbishop continue on their vigilant chosen path, leading the way for society, to protect our children.

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