Catholics seek healing at forgiveness mass following clergy abuse report

(Harrisburg) — Three days after the release of an extensive report detailing sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests throughout Pennsylvania, the Diocese of Harrisburg held a mass for the Catholic community to repent and heal.

The community has responded in various ways to the report, from a survivor of clergy abuse stressing the importance of “remembering the good priests” to those who say the allegations have strengthened their faith.

Lifelong Catholic Irene Youngman said she is “horrified” by what she read in the grand jury report. She and others started a white ribbon campaign to honor victims, with white symbolizing their innocence.

“I think there’s a tremendous sense of betrayal and anger,” she said. “When I listened to the report on Tuesday I was just sick to my stomach.”

Linda Braasch from Middletown attended the mass. She said the grand jury report accusing 300 clergy of child sex abuse has led her to “turn toward Jesus” for guidance.

“I’m just thankful that the victims now have a voice,” Braasch said.

Bishop Ronald Gainer read the opening section of the grand jury report during mass.

“We all know the saying ‘words are cheap,’ but my words in these last weeks and my words now at this mass are invested with profound remorse, firm resolve and consistent action that these horrific actions by some members of the clergy, which violated the dignity and innocence of children, must be absolutely eliminated from the church’s life,” he said.

Gainer touted changes in the church’s approach to allegations since 2002.

But Gainer was criticized in the grand jury report for advocating two accused priests not be defrocked.

The report said Joseph Pease was part of a group of “predator priests” within the Harrisburg Diocese who shared victims with each other. He was no longer in active ministry when Gainer became bishop in March 2014. Several months after being installed, Gainer wrote a letter to the Vatican outlining the history of allegations against Pease, the church’s responses and the potential for scandal. He closed the letter:

I am not seeking the initiation of a trial, nor dismissal from the clerical state. Instead, I request from the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith that Joseph Michael Pease be permitted to live out his remaining years in prayer and penance, without adding further anxiety or suffering to his situation, and without risking public knowledge of his crimes. Allow him, Your Eminence, to live out his life peacefully, in prayer and penance, recognizing the harm he has caused in the lives of others, and making amends for it.

Gainer also alerted the Vatican to allegations against the Rev. James Beeman, who admitted to sexually abusing seven girls while serving in the Harrisburg Diocese, including one while she was recovering from tonsil surgery in the hospital. In his letter to Rome, he wrote: “I believe that the scandal caused by his admission of the sexual abuse of minor girls has been sufficiently repaired by his acceptance of the penal precepts.”

The diocese says Gainer tried to promptly get those men out of the church.

More: Read the full grand jury report and dioceses’ responses

Pennsylvania’s bishops are under pressue to support legislative changes that would help survivors of abuse file lawsuits. Speaking on behalf of the state’s dioceses, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has said it is not the time to discuss legislation.