Thank you to Archbishop for his courage in mandating a thorough investigation into abuse claims and facts and publishing the results. While this must be a hard and difficult exercise for all the wonderful priests in our diocese, the earth did not shake and the sky did not fall.
I also hope that people will send a complaint to The Vancouver Sun, which placed under the picture of our bishop a big headline reporting that many vulnerable young boys were abused. Only when you read the text below does it turn out they were talking about severe abuses at the Oakalla prison.
By the way, how does one report abuse or any abuse of power within the Church? Kindly let me know.
Marianne Werner
Vancouver
(To report abuse by clergy or layperson, visit the Archdiocese of Vancouver website, www.rcav.org.)
Using the language of the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse, I identify as a victim-survivor of clergy abuse. Over the last five years I have encountered many members of the Church who have simply said “I hear you, I believe you, and I will walk with you.” It is because of these individual members of the Body of Christ that I have found peace and justice in my life.
I would like to thank the members of the Archdiocesan Case Review Committee. Their witness gives me the courage to write this. Their dedication renews my hope that the Church indeed is a Mother to whom we can turn in times of need.
I would also like to thank Archbishop Michael Miller for publicly acknowledging the weaknesses in the policies, procedures, and practices of the archdiocese.
Karen Hoyer
Chilliwack
