PBS Frontline Episode
My dear coworkers in the Lord's vineyard, on April 19 the PBS journalism series "Frontline" will air a piece about the past abuse that took place in the diocese. The 30 minute episode will focus on the village of St. Michael, a site that witnessed terrible incidents of sexual abuse by various ministers, most notably the lay worker Joseph Lundowski. I believe the documentary will also show some of the positive efforts at healing we have instituted.
The diocese and Bishop Kettler cooperated with the producers of the documentary. While we have no editorial control of the product, Bishop Kettler has stated many times that the road to healing begins with an admission of error and contrition. Past abuse did take place and we must first acknowledge that fact and then help those who survived the abuse.
This program will undoubtedly be emotionally wrenching for many of us, rekindling old feelings of sadness, distress, anger or resentment. It will surely have the same affect on many of our friends, family and fellow parishioners.
Since you are a leader and minister for your community, let me urge you to prepare your communities for this program. It may be that many in rural Alaska will not see it on its initial airing, but certainly local and statewide media will notice it and respond. Let me suggest a few points you might use should your co-workers, family or friends approach you about this documentary.
- Safeguards are in place to help prevent abuse from reoccurring. We screen and do background checks on every adult who ministers or has contact with children or vulnerable adults. We also have in place training to alert children, parents and adults to spot and report suspected abuse.
- Bishop is actively engaged in traveling to every parish where abuse took place to offer aid and healing, including counseling to those who suffered abuse.
- We receive commendations for our thoroughness in the annual child protection audits called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- The vast majority of abuse incidents took place decades ago, long before most of those currently ministering in the diocese began serving.
Finally, if people have further questions
or you are not comfortable discussing the program with them, please do not
hesitate to have them call or email me. My phone number is 374-9510; my
email address is robert@cbna.org.
Thank you for your service. As always, I welcome your own questions or comments.
Robert Hannon
Chancellor & Special Assistant for the
Most Reverend Donald J. Kettler, JCL