Newsletter of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
Rome, Italy
June 16, 2005

From the Editor

Have you discovered all the treasures of SCALA? Besides the news and stories you read in SCALA, we have also placed URL links that take you to places where you can find more information about Redemptorist life and ministry.

I would like to take a moment to point them out because much of what SCALA is about is not only what you actually see here, but where you can go to learn more.

In our Transitions section, you’ll always see a link that directs you to the Officialia. Officialia is the official promulgation from the General Government of decisions and actions taken by them. Transitions highlights some of the more significant items of interest. We direct you to Officialia, where you can get a complete report and see archived issues.

We attempt to bring you news on the activities of Father General and the General Council. They are a busy group and constantly “on the go!” You can know where they are and what they are doing by clicking on the links in seven languages that take you to their Calendar of Activity.

Every month we have a Photo Gallery. We link to photos instead of putting them in the text because many confreres around the world do not have the internet connections or computers to download photos easily. To keep them from the frustration of slow downloading or crashing computers, we link to our photos.

Every month we feature a link to one or more Redemptorist websites from around the world. It is worthwhile to visit these sites to see the creativity of design and apostolic mission these sites provide in spreading the Good News of Plentiful Redemption.

At the conclusion of every SCALA, we once again invite you to visit the official websiste of the Congregation, http://www.cssr.com. It is a rich and varied website. It is extensive and we invite you to navigate around its various menu items, which sometimes take you to even more menu items! There is much informational and background material on almost anything Redemptorist. We are constantly looking at ways to update it and make it useful to you.

And of course, at the conclusion or each issue of SCALA, we also direct you to where you can find the archived issues of SCALA, in case you might have missed one! That reminds me: if you are changing e-mails, or know of someone who received SCALA and now doesn’t, the most likely cause is we don’t have your current or new e-mail. Please send it to me and we’ll get you on the list or return you to the list! GaryZ@cssr.com Don’t forget to send us your news too!

An advance notice: There will be no scheduled issues of SCALA for August and September because of staff and translator vacations. If events call for it, we will put out an emergency edition. After next month’s SCALA#9, we will return with SCALA#10 in October!

Finally, have you signed up for CSSR-IM yet? Give it a try! Meet some of your confreres from around the world!

Grace and Redemption for all!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.SS.R.

Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of transitions visit the Officialia site

First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Augustine Mugambo Kiruja, Province of Bangalore, July 18, 2004
Raphael Kambella Kitheka, Province of Bangalore, July 18, 2004
Michael Anuwat Arsairat, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005
Guido Bamrung Kasaemtirayarn, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005
Michael Pornsil Mangla, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005
Chrisopher Sakanucha Panmeesri, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005
John Baptist Piyapong Siriviyanum, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005
Joseph Prud Thipthong, Vice Province of Bangkok, April 30, 2005

Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Anthony Lopez, Region of Mumbai, June 12, 2004
Shane Varghese, Region of Mumbai, June 12, 2004
Amable Antonio Salinas Tapia, Province of Quito, March 15, 2005
Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, Province of Quito, March 15, 2005
Héctor Olivo Sigüenza Suárez, Province of Quito, March 15, 2005
Noel Gerard Kehoe, Province of Dublin, May 8, 2005

Ordination to the Priesthood:
Moses Venu, Province of Bangalore, April 22, 2004
Henry Prasanna Kumar Fernandes, Region of Mumbai, May 10, 2004
Christopher Lonan Kuriyappilly, Province of Bangalore, May 15, 2004
Anthony Lopez, Region of Mumbai, April 13, 2005
José Luis Portillo, Province of Buenos Aires, May 1, 2005
Mykola Bychok, Province of Lviv, May 3, 2005
Ivan Horban, Province of Lviv, May 3, 2005
Vasyl Kravchuk, Province of Lviv, May 3, 2005
Andrij Olijnyck, Province of Lviv, May 3, 2005
Shane Varghese, Region of Mumbai, May 7, 2005
Jozef Kisák, Vice Province of Michalovce, May 15, 2005
Andrzej Stanislaw Michon, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Sylwester |Pactwa, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Maciej Plewka, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Waldemar Radoslaw Sojka, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Krzystof Grzegors Stankowski, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Andrzej Wróblewski, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005
Marcin Zubik, Province of Warsaw, May 28, 2005

Doctoral Defense:
Father Luis Antonio Rojas Lòpez, of the province of Bogotá, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, “Los Redentoristas en Colombia y Sus Misiones Populares (1884-1928)” at the Gregorianum on May 13th. The community of San Alfonso celebrated his achievement with a festive meal. ¡Felicidades! (cf. photo gallery)

Electoral News:
Rev. Freddy Enrique Reyes Romero elected Vicar Provincial of Quito.
Confirmed on May 13, 2005

Rev. Assisi Francis Saldanha elected Vicar Provincial of Bagalore.
Confirmed on May 13, 2005

Rev. Joeph Touraynne re-elected Provincial Superior of Lyon-Paris
Confirmed on May 18, 2005

Rev. Georges Darlix elected Vicar Provincial of Lyon-Paris..
Confirmed on May 18, 2005

Rev. Carlos Flores Rodríguez elected Vicar Provincial of México.
Confirmed on May 20, 2005

Rev. Edmund Woga re-elected Provincial Superior of Indonesia.
Confirmed on May 22, 2005

Father Matheus Selan elected Vicar Provincial of Indonesia.
Confirmed on May 22, 2005

Father Jovencio Ma elected Provincial Superior of Cebu.
Confirmed on May 23, 2005

Father Peter Burns elected Vicar Provincial of Dublin.
Confirmed on May 25, 2005

Supression of House:
St. Gerard in the city of Riedlingen, Germany
May 30, 2005

Deaths:
Rev. José Braz Periera Gomes, 87, Province of São Paulo, March 13, 2005
Rev. Johan Eelens, 74, Province of Flandrica, April 21, 2005
Rev. Wallis Walter Herbert George, 80, Province of Denver, May 12, 2005
Rev. Gottlieb Steger, 75, Province of Helvetica, May 15, 2005
Rev. Clément Lucas, 85, Province of Lyon-Paris, May 16, 2005
Rev. John Ronald McPhee, 86, Province of Denver, May 20, 2005
Rev. Edward Joseph Byrne, 87, Province of Baltimore, May 24, 2005
Rev. Séamus Malachy Quinn, 74, Province of London, May 24, 2005
Rev. Antoine Vuong Dinh Tai, 74, Province of Vietnam, May 27, 2005

   Index

News from the Provinces

Argentina
Viceprovince of Resistencia,
Fiftieth Anniversary
Fr. Emilio Szopiñski, CSSR.

When the Polish Province was asked to begin a foreign mission in Resistencia, Argentina, the Polish Provincial was highly motivated and had many enthusiastic volunteers for the assignment. But circumstances beyond his control tested his goodwill and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. The first two priests to voyage to Resistencia, Frs. Alfredo Muller and Estanislao Misiaszek, arrived in Argentina in 1938. Another father and brother arrived without too much trouble. But when another three priests who followed were at sea, the Second World War broke out cutting off all communication.

The diocese of Resistencia was established in 1939. It covered an immense area with a population of 268.000 and with a very small number of Franciscans. The priest could only visit the localities once or twice a year. In such a situation Mgr. Nicolas de Carlo welcomed the Redemptorists from Poland with open arms. The Redemptorists were always focused on the most abandoned.

The Polish Redemptorists were busy with the task of “insertion.” They learned the language, got to know the customs and traditions of the people and almost all became citizens of Argentina. They were the driving force and promoters of great social, cultural and religious changes. What can we say of the living conditions, food, climate, roads and means of transport? The Diocesan Archives bear eloquent testimony: “Nothing daunted the first heroic missionaries, neither the climate, the lack of transport, nor even the huge black Polish soutane (The Redemptorist habit, which to the natives must have seemed out of place and too warm to wear in such a climate). It is certain that they came to the most backward and remote parts”.

At the end of the war the small group had many difficulties. They could not receive any new confreres, because, as a result of the war, more than 30 Polish Redemptorists died or were sent to concentration camps. Moreover, the Polish province needed to take over five houses left by the German Redemptorists. Then the Soviet “Iron Curtain” came down over Eastern Europe and neither Fr. General could travel to Poland nor could anybody travel out. Communication by mail was out of the question! As a result, the fate of the Polish mission in Resistencia was debated by the General Government. There was a suggestion of joining the Pilar Mission or moving the Resistencia group to the Mission in Peru. But in the end, on 2 February 1955, Fr. General William Gaudreauestablished the Viceprovince of Resistencia.

For a long time the Vice province could only dream of native vocations and parish missions. There were no elementary schools and little secondary education. As regards parish missions they had first to form parishes and build outlying chapels, which eventually became established parish churches. It is said that the community builds the Church and the Church forms the community.The pioneers had to construct houses and parish halls and form catechists to begin forming communities. The number of new parishes, new dioceses and territories assigned to the care of the Redemptorists was very large. The Redemptorists were aided by various congregations of religious sisters who helped to establish foundations in different places. Lay movements, such as the Cursillos and the Renewal in the Spirit, also assisted as did many catechists.

Over the years the works of the mission became very widespread. We must mention the apostolate of the pen, collaboration with the mass media, the radio broadcasts, video programs and collaboration with Cable Colour. There were the formation of theatre groups, choirs and the setting up of a cooperative, a bank and even the construction of roads. When required, the Redemptorists ministered to the army, the prison, the police, nursing homes and hospitals. On many occasions the missionary was a technician, electrician, even a photographer so that people in more remote areas could have the photo necessary for their identity card.

We must also mention the establishing of primary and secondary schools, an Institute for training teachers, workshops for the development of women, social centers, cinemas, kindergartens, housing for the very poor as well as the ‘Mocovi Center’ a center for the aborigines. As a result of our vocation development efforts, there are many native vocations. A novitiate and seminary have been built. At the moment native vocations comprise 9 priests, 1 deacon, 3 brothers, 16 students and 2 novices. Two Argentinian priests are studying in Rome and the native Argentinians are in charge of vocation ministry.

All this vast amount of labor, past and present, has been imbued by the Alphonsian missionary spirit and the members of the Vice province have given innumerable missions, especially in the poorest areas. Little by little, the Argentinian Redemptorists are taking over leadership and continuing the work in the Vice province begun in 1938.

In other accomplishments among the members of the Vice province, Ceslao Stanula, has contributed much to the formation of the new Vice province of Bahia and is at present Bishop of Itabuna, Brazil. Fr. Adalberto Kotlinski helped form the Region of Tupiza and now works in Russia. An Argentinian seminarian is studying in the seminary of Tuchów, Poland with the intention of becoming a missionary in territories once occupied by the Soviet Union.

We remember with reverence and thanksgiving, seventeen of the early missionaries who have passed to their eternal reward.

Fr Peter Nguyen Van Khai
Provincial Secretary
Province of Vietnam

We have received SCALA Number 7 in French. Thank you very much. We hope everyone in the Congregation is well and everything is going well.

Last month, our Province had a meeting of all the Superiors and Directors. We are very busy right now because we have decided a lot of things and approved a lot of pastoral and formation projects.

Here are some small news items:

We are preparing summaries of the reports of different communities. Our confreres are doing various pastoral works in 21 cities (or provinces) throughout Vietnam, including many missionary stations in 16 dioceses. Some confreres are working overseas.

Easter past, about 4,000 people were baptized in our communities. In Gia Lai, a mountainous region, around 100 mission stations are under our pastoral care. Recently, the government has allowed us to build a small church for each station. In our two communities in Saigon and Hanoi there are more than 1,000 converts each year.

Next month our 14 novices will make their first profession; 10 will be ordained deacons; 20 postulants will enter Novitiate; 30 postulants are going to be in our Philosophy program.

We are united in prayer. May our Redeemer bless you all with His grace and peace.

Announcement
Special Request
150th Anniversary of the General House in Rome

This fall we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the General House in Rome. We would like to compile as complete a list as possible of those who have lived here over the years, but there are gaps in information. In order to complete the list of those who have lived in this House we are appealing to SCALA readers for help. If you ever lived at the General House it would be of great assistance if you were to send to Fr. Jean Beco (jbeco@tiscalinet.it) the date of your arrival and departure from Rome, what office you filled and/or studies pursued. If you know of someone who lived here and don’t think they have seen this message, please pass it along! Thanking you in advance.

Index

In Spiritu Redemptionis

Discovering God
By Vincent Vaz C.SS.R.
On behalf of the 2nd year theologians
Mt. St. Alphonsus, Bangalore

In this modern day and age when we are able to send spacecraft into outer space to discover other planets and submergible vessels to explore the extreme depths of the sea, it is but natural for the human mind to seek beyond its limits. There is a supernatural parallel. Events in our world today draw us to see God’s spirit actively working in all religions and to examine the seeds of His truth being revealed through them. The Church encourages us, through the Second Vatican Council, that by dia1ogue and collaboration with followers of other re1ìgions we recognize, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral good found in other’s beliefs and their socio-cultura1 va1ues as well (Nostra Aetate, No.2). Also we must see in other faiths the "seed of truth and grace" (Ad Gentes 9), and "seeds of the word" (Ad Gentes 11, 15). Various, ordinary reasons, however, prevent us from visiting and exploring the faith shrines of other people.

India has been the cradle of many religions. Most religions share Abraham as their Father in faith. In India we have the ancient custom of 'Athiti Sathkar’ whereby the guest who comes to the house is treated as God. We see this expressed in the Old Testament story about Abraham when he met three strangers and invited them to dine with him and then go on their way. Hospitality is very much part-and-parcel of many cultures but especially an essential part of our Indian tradition and culture. We received first-hand an enriching experience of this hospitality when Fr. Ivel Mendanha a1ong with Fr. Clement Vadakeddath, Fr. Edward Raju and Fr. Raja Arulanandam took 14 of us theologians of the Bangalore Province to visit the holy shrines of other religions and faiths. (cf, photo gallery)

Our first visit was to the Jain temple where we were awe-struck by the reverence they had for the Tirthhankara – a holy man in the Jain tradition. Jain do not belìeve ìn God but they do have saints who have shown them the way. Thev come to the temple and recite a form of eulogy that praises their saints for achieving liberation and now the worshippers seek to achieve it. Each one has to discover for themseves the path to heaven through the path of self-realization. They believe in Ahimsa, that is, non-violence; and a1so the three-fold path of right knowledge, right conduct and right faith. Their temples are rich in symbolism and each symbol is so rich in meaning. They believe in self-renunciation. We were amazed by the number of people and youngsters coming to the temple in special attire which symbolizes renunciation to express their desire to do good and to renounce all that is bad and evil.

We then went to the Rama Krishna Mission, Samaj, where the Swami – the religious leader - seemed so serene and his face radiated grace. He said as there are many faiths so there are many paths to God. He emphasized that a purified mind was the vehicle to reach the goa1 of liberation. The spiritual path recommended was one of Ahimsa, that is, non-violence, but also not to have ill feelings towards others. He emphasized the need to always look at the positive in others and not on their weaknesses and shortcomings. We must be other-centered people, thinking less of ourselves and more of others; we must lead lives of contentment and surrender ourselves to the will of God. He believes that Rama Krishna Paramhansa, the founder of the Rama Krishna Mission, was an Avtara, or “incarnate” like Jesus Christ, who came with a mission and to show us the path to God.

Then we stopped at the Mahabodhi Society, a place of worship for the Buddhists. We heard a most striking thing: A Buddhist told us that we were all called to be, not a Buddhist, but a Buddha! Not just a Christian, but be Christ in our lives and by our actions. After this we stopped over at the Gurudwara, the religious shrine for the Sikhs. Here we saw the reverence they pay to their holy Scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib by giving it the central place in their holy shrine, reading from it and expounding the teachings from it for the entire congregation of faith gathered there. They sit reverently and patiently listen to the teachings proclaimed. They then exhort the people to put into practice all they have heard. They too have a lot of symbols, for example the Kara (a steel bracelet), which signifies that their hands are bound by the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and that their actions shou1d be in accordance with their teachings. The Kirpal (sword) signifies the use of power only to be used to defend one’s prestige, to establish justice and to do what is right. All who enter the Sikh Shrine must cover their heads. Their Pagadree (head covering) signifies that they are under the shelter or protection of God who is supreme. One of the forms of prayer that they use is Nama Jappa (reciting God's name over and over again) and they believe one gets purified by meditating on God's name. They say one must earn his livelihood by the sweat of his brow and hence you will never find a Sikh who is a beggar. They also are very generous and believe in sharing with others; and since God is the only giver, never look down on the person we give to. After their prayer service we visited the place where they share their meals and break bread with the poor. It is a place where all people, poor and rich alike, sit together and partake of the meal.

Lastly we went to the Mosque where again we were happy to see their reverence for God. They believe God is one. They believe God is the same God as the God of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and the prophet Mohammed. The have a strict ritual of purity to be observed before entering the mosque. Their prayer postures also indicate their respect and reverence for God. The Muslims, like the ancient Jews, pray many times in a day. The Muslims pray five times a day, especially calling the faithful to the mosque for prayer before sunrise and after sunset to worship God. They are ever conscious of the aspect of sin. They believe in Allah, which means “The Most Merciful One.”

In all the religious shrines we visited we witnessed the intensity of belief and conviction of faith in God. Some of the virtues we witnessed were non-violence and self-renunciation, personal responsibility for ones actions, zeal for God and a strong community form of worship, equality among all members whether man or woman, rich or poor; and in other areas of their lives we saw their commitment to be just and bring about justice in the world, fidelity to God, fidelity to religious practice, love, and simplicity of life. All of them exhibited amazing reverence for God and a hunger and longing to follow in his ways. They also exhibited a sense of openness and respect for other religious beliefs other than their own. They believed in God the ultimate giver, and love of neighbor. Some of them ran charitable organizations such as schools, hospitals and shelters for the poor.

This experience reminded us of a story about a missioner who traveled to an obscure tribal people in the hope of being the first to bring God to them and share God with them. But when he reached them and lived with them for awhile, he experienced that long before he arrived, God had ALREADY made inroads into their lives, their customs and into their hearts. At the end of our journey, though we were exhausted, we had a spiritual journey which uplifted us and we were grateful to Fr. Ivel for helping us making this discovery of God active and alive in other religions and faiths.

Index

Redemptorists in the News

Philippines
Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, C.SS.R.
Bishop in hostage drama
Story from BBC NEWS

Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, C.SS.R. found himself answering an unusual call on March 18th, 2005 when he agreed to drive the get-away truck for a group of hostage takers.

Bishop Cabajar sat in the front with three gunmen while about a dozen hostages were in the back. The bishop had agreed to drive them away from local police if the hostages were later released unharmed.

The gunmen freed the hostages south of Pagadian on southern Mindanao island, then abandoned the bishop nearby.

The drama began the day before with what police believed was an attempted robbery of a bus travelling to the southern city of Zamboanga.

The gunmen, who got on at Plaridel, are thought to have panicked when spotted by police at a checkpoint and taken passengers hostage.

A stand-off with police ensued, and the gunmen, armed with grenades, a machine gun and pistols, agreed to release some of the hostages.

Crash

Police then agreed that they could travel somewhere unhindered, where they would leave the passengers unharmed.

But the bus' driver is reported to have deliberately crashed the bus into a ditch and fled.

The rebels and their hostages then transferred to a pick-up truck and Bishop Cabajar, who had become involved in the negotiations, said he would drive.

Their vehicle was trailed by police and journalists, before the gunmen ordered the hostages to jump out of the truck along a road south of Pagadian. They were then taken to hospitals.

The bishop was abandoned in the remote town of Lakewood, west of Pagadian. He went on to hold a thanksgiving mass.

One of the gunmen told local radio that they belonged to the New People's Army communist rebel group, but a local rebel spokesman, Ismael Marte, denied the men were guerrillas.

Italy,
Materdomini
May, 2005

A new Italian stamp was issued in May in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the death of St. Gerard Majella. The stamp bears the image of the saint in the foreground with the Sanctuary of Materdomini (Avellino) in the background. A first day issue was made available at Materdomini. (cf. picture gallery)

Index

San Alfonso,Via Merulana

Doctoral Defense
Father Luis Antonio Rojas Lòpez, of the province of Bogotá, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, “Los Redentoristas en Colombia y Sus Misiones Populares (1884-1928)” at the Gregorianum on May 13th. The community of San Alfonso celebrated his achievement with a festive meal. ¡Felicidades! (cf. photo gallery)

25th Anniversary of Profession.
Father Teodulo Holgado, of the vice province of Manila, whose ministry is to the English speaking of Venice and San Alfonso, Rome, celebrated his 25th anniversary of profession with a Saturday evening Mass and Sunday “pranzo festivo” at San Alfonso the weekend of May 21, 22. Tanti auguri a te!

25th Anniversary of Ordination.
Fathers Dennis Billy of the Baltimore Province and Stephen Rehrauer of the Denver province, both professors at the Alfonsianum, concelebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for their 25th anniversary of priesthood at San Alfonso, May 28th. Joining them was Father Richard Welsch of the province of Baltimore, a former resident of San Alfonso. A festive Anniversary dinner was held the following afternoon. (cf. photo gallery). Tanti auguri a voi!

 Index

Monthly Picture Gallery (  for online viewing only)

Photo Captions:

1) Father Luis Antonio Rojas López of Bogotá successfully defended his doctoral dissertation (Gregorianum): “The Redemptorists in Columbia and their Popular Missions (1884-1928).”

2) The Co-founder of the Resistencia mission, Father Alfredo Muller

3) The first Vice provincial of Resistencia, Father Kazimierz Kalemba

4) Bangalore students visiting the religious shrines of India

5and 6) Fathers Dennis Billy, Steve Rehrauer, and Richard Welsh celebrate their 25th anniversary of ordination with a Mass and dinner at San Alfonso, Rome.

7) Vicar General Father Fiore meets the wisemen of Burkina-Niger!

8) Vicar General Father Serafino Fiore and General Consultor Athanase Nsiamini gather with the Redemptoristines of Diabo, Burkina Faso

9) Bishop Cabajar checks on the condition of the hostages

10) Italian Postal Stamp issued in honor of St. Gerard

Index

Activities of Father General and the General Council

Visitation to South Africa
April-May, 2005
Sean Wales

Sean Wales, the provincial of South Africa writes: “As I write, the Visitation is in full swing. Frs. Ray Douziech and Athanase Nsiamina arrived last Friday and on Saturday they met with the OPC in Bergvliet. They have received a warm welcome in the Cape and I am sure the same will be true in KwaZuluNatal and in the North West. As part of the Visitation Fr. General will arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday May 10th; he will move on to KwaZuluNatal on the 12th and from thence to Rustenburg on the 15th. The closing meeting of the Visitation will take place on Monday the 16th . This will involve the Visitors, Fr. General and the EPC. On the evening of the 16th the meeting of all English-speaking superiors with Fr. General, Athanase, Juventius Andrade and Enrique Lopez will open at Hartebeespoort Dam. Larry Kaufmann, as a member of the General Restructuring Commission, will also participate in that meeting. So too will the superior of the unit in Mozambique.”

General Government Calendar Links:

Interested in knowing where the members of the General Government are and what they are doing? The following link will take you to the Calendar of the General Government.

English: http://www.cssr.com/calendars/CalEN.htm These links are in our cssr.com website under the Redemptorist section and require passwords. If you do not have them, a pop-up box will direct you to request them from the Secretary General.

Featured Redemptorist Website

This month’s featured website is that of Reality, a Redemptorist Publication from the province of Dublin, Ireland. It is accompanied by a website for teenagers.

http://www.redemptoristpublications.com

http://www.faceup.ie/

We also present a new webpage on our cssr.com site that presents a history of the Seal of the Congregation and its evolution over time:

http://www.cssr.com/english/whoarewe/cssrseal-EN.shtml

  Index

Reports from the Curia, Secretariats, Institutes, and Committees

Commission on Sexual Misconduct
April, 2005
Rome, Italy

The “think-tank” on professional conduct organized by the General Government proved to be a very useful occasion for all involved. From the start the practice of speaking about principles, not people, was adhered to. No names were mentioned. The meeting began with a sharing of experiences by superiors from Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. Experiences ranged from countries where there is no protocol of any kind in the local Church to the highly detailed mechanisms in place in North America and the United Kingdom.

Early on it became a goal of the meeting to provide support for Superiors in situations where the local Church has, as yet, no protocols in place. Two experts (Fr. Robert Geisinger S..J. and Fr. Charles Scicluna, Promoter of Justice at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith) addressed the meeting, one from the point of view of the rights and duties of religious and the other from the perspective of the CDF. Both were vigorous and compelling speakers and both helped greatly with the canonical aspects of professional misconduct, especially with minors. Most of the protocols in place have not taken adequate account of the Motu Proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela of Pope John Paul II (30th April 2001) which placed sexual offences against minors ( those under the age of 18) among the
“delicta graviora”. This means that sexual offences against minors are on the same level as breaking the seal of Confession or desecrating the Holy Eucharist. All such offences must be referred to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

The experience of many Provincials showed that canonical jurisprudence has not kept pace with that of civil jurisprudence in many countries and that the laity in many places no longer trusts church authorities to make the right decisions in these matters. There seems to be general agreement that however heinous sexual abuse is, the response of church authorities has massively compounded the problem. It was recognised that the fastest growing sexual addiction is internet pornography. When this is child pornography, it is normally a criminal offence. Downloading such material comes under the strictures of the Motu Proprio mentioned above. There is an internet programme, called “netmop” which blocks access to pornographic material. To protect all involved, some Provinces have installed some such device on those computers to which the public have access.

Considerable time was spent in reflecting on the impact of sexual misconduct on formation. Clearly the sexual abuse scandal has implications not only for the screening process but for the quality of our formation process itself. It is acknowledged that no amount of psychological testing can give complete insight into a candidate much less prevent future misconduct. Rather, our energies should go into what really drives formation : the life of faith and growth in community sensitivity.

The meeting discussed the strengths and weakness of various strategies under the topic of “return to ministry”. “One strike and you’re out” was seen to be bad law and bad pastoral practice. The paramount principle (what best protects children and vulnerable adults from harm) is sacrosanct and in all ‘return to ministry’ it is important to have a “safety plan” for the minister concerned. It was acknowledged that sometimes the only conclusion can be permanent unsuitability for ministry.

The working party drew up a document “First Procedures for responding to an accusation of child sexual abuse” for use in situations where no local guidelines exist. This will be circulated later to all confreres. Work in progress will include details of a “Safety Plan” and something on professional standards or “best practice”.

It was encouraging to witness how these delicate issues were spoken of, the level of respect and concern for all involved and the way the conversations were integrated into the daily liturgies. It was said that the publicity surrounding sexual abuse in the Church, while painful, was also a grace. The whole Church is being called to greater integrity, transparency and honesty. As Brothers together, we too are being offered another dimension of plentiful redemption.

Index