For Immediate Release

May 3, 2009

National Survivor Advocates Coalition to Bishop Wenski: Sexual Abuse is a Life Issue

Bishop’s Mass of Reparation Should Acknowledge Clergy Sexual Abuse

In the Name of the Gospel of Life Publish the Names, Photos of Credibly Accused Priests in Orlando Diocese

Orlando, Florida – The National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) urges Diocese of Orlando Bishop Thomas Wenski to acknowledge that clergy sexual abuse is a life issue for which the Church should seek reparation. Bishop Wenski should include the graveness of clergy sexual abuse in the Mass of Reparation scheduled for 6 PM Sunday in the Cathedral of St. James in Orlando.

The coalition said in taking this step Bishop Wenski could advance the cure for the laryngitis in the Church’s moral voice.

Bishop Wenski is asking Orlando Catholics to “come and pray” with him for “all of our transgressions against the Gospel of Life.”

Bishop Wenski’s announcement of the Mass and his recent column The University of Notre Dame and President Obama seem to indicate that this Mass of Reparation is solely for reparation for abortion.

In its urgent call to Bishop Wenski, NSAC said “ it is inconceivable to us that when any bishop celebrates a Mass of Reparation based on the Gospel of Life it would exclude those who have suffered what in essence can and has been called soul murder.”

The coalition added, “unlike other survivors of sexual abuse, other crimes and difficult life events, survivors of clergy sexual abuse face immense, if not impossible odds,  in finding the comfort and strength that the Church in its best sense can bring. This is due, in large measure, to having suffered at the hands of persons Catholics have viewed as the “alter Christus”, the other Christ, an exalted position with a distinct and tight tie with Catholicism.”

NSAC also noted that Bishop Wenski’s announcement of the Mass on the diocesan website says” As Catholics we are aware of the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world. “

The coaltion said, “We expect Bishop Wenksi to be true to his word. The dignity and sacredness of human life is assaulted by sexual abuse.”

The coalition further urged Bishop Wenski to release the names of all credibly accused priests in the Diocese of Orlando, publishing their names, photographs, and parish assignments on the diocesan website.

The National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSACoalition) works to assist and protect the vulnerable in our communities. NSACoalition further seeks to reveal the truth, promote healing, demonstrate dignity and encourage respect for clergy sexual abuse survivors and their families. We stand in communion with all sexual abuse survivors, their families, those still suffering in silence and those who have died of suicide or been murdered. We stand with those who have, to date, found the courage to speak their truth and stand up for those burdened by the shadows of silence.

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