Open letter to Asian bishops, 1

BY FR. SHAY CULLEN

DEAR ASIAN Bishops, servants of the People of God.

In years past, I was an invited speaker and advisor to your conference meetings in Bangkok on the protection of children especially those children who are vulnerable to clerical sexual abuse.

There remains a growing problem of clerical child abuse that is not being challenged sufficiently and it seems that as leaders of the community and the People of God, God is challenging you and the people of God to take this terrible crime more seriously.

Reports of child abuse by priests in parishes and seminaries are increasing and the victims are crying out for a response and action to the violation of their rights by Church leaders, not only in words of condemnation but, action for healing and justice.

We defenders of children’s rights, healers of victims and seekers of justice in the Church, admire and are inspired by the commitment of some prophetic bishops in Asia who have dedicated themselves to defending human rights and child rights, taking a stand against clerical abuse and trafficking above all.

They see and dedicate themselves as servants of the poor and oppressed. They have cast aside clerical ambition for red hats and are dedicated “washers of feet” in spirit, following the example of Jesus of Nazareth who washed the feet of his disciples as an example, by serving and helping the oppressed victims of clerical child abuse and human trafficking.

The truly dedicated bishops are encouraging the parents of victims to come forward and report abuse. What is at the heart of faith is the belief, as Jesus of Nazareth taught, that goodness, truth and love of neighbor will overcome injustice and evil.

Some bishops’ first response to reports of clerical child abuse in their dioceses is to get the offending priest out of the parish and away to a remote district or send him to a “House of Cure.” In fact, they should follow the advice of Pope Francis who has made it clear that care of the victim-survivors is the first priority.

Some bishops think that their priority is to protect the reputation of the church as an institution. They fear the shameful publicity, the loss of donations and revenue, the disgrace and failure not to have rooted out the child offenders within the diocesan priesthood.

The pedophiles in a diocese know and help each other cover up crimes. They tend to surround the bishop and influence him. Do not tolerate them. Challenge and confront each suspect to discover the truth. The good priests who wish to speak out the truth are silenced.

The real followers of Christ are those good, courageous bishops who are faithful to the Church teaching and that of Pope Francis by bringing the offending priests to justice and accountability and helping the victims/survivors. That is the true rightful protection needed by the children and the community.

Pope Francis has made it clear that there can be no turning away, no cover up and has even said that bishops must report cases of clerical sexual abuse to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors headed by the Commission’s president and Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., making the protection of children a top priority within the church. (To be continued)/PN