Since 1984 the
Church in the United States has been shaken by revelations of sexual
abuse of children and young people by priests. Failure by bishops
to deal honestly and effectively with the problem has further damaged
the integrity of the church. Throughout the last year, a widening
sense of crisis has enveloped the church, prompted by explosive
evidence that the Archdiocese of Boston ignored or covered up hundreds
of cases of sexual abuse. Across the country, thousands of victims
have come forward, hundreds of priests have been removed from ministry,
many criminal cases are pending, dioceses and religious orders have
paid huge financial settlements, and there is no end in sight. Having
failed to live up to standards of accountability promised a decade
ago when a number of sensational cases had come to light, the bishops
promised this summer to institute more serious reforms. Crises of
similar magnitude have come to light in Ireland, Canada, the United
Kingdom and Australia.
As an intellectual
community rooted in the Catholic church, the College of the Holy
Cross bears a special responsibility for deepening our students',
the church's, and the larger community's understanding of the causes
and implications of this crisis. Under the leadership of President
Michael C. McFarland, S.J., the Center for Religion, Ethics and
Culture, the Office of the College Chaplains, and the Jesuit community
have organized a series of events and discussions to achieve that
end. These events will invite open discussion of a variety of positions
regarding the renewal and reform of the Church, particularly in
regard to issues arising from this experience with sexual abuse.
The themes that
will be given primary consideration are:
- the extent and history of the abuse;
- the causes and impact of the sexual abuse of young people; the
proper pastoral, legal and moral response to abuse;
- implications of the crisis for pastoral ministry, particularly
priestly ministry;
- the structures of governance in the Catholic church;
- Catholic teachings on human sexuality;
- the responsibility of the laity in the church.
