Comments on: Repairing the Harm From Clergy Sex Abuse

By: Elizabeth Linehan

Elizabeth Linehan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:31:21 +0000

I have seen the one-hour version of this film, and it is powerful (even haunting at times). The one thing I missed in it is the participation of an offender — at the level of seriousness of the offenses described by victims — who really “gets it” about the harm he has caused. The offending priest in the film portrays his offenses as relatively minor, happening only once, and seems to see himself as a victim. There is validity to that, considering the way accused priests have been treated, but there is still a missing perspective for a fully restorative process.

By: Miguel Prats

Miguel Prats — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:52:04 +0000

Ms. Geske,
I applaud your efforts to help survivors of abuse. Don’t know if you’ve ever heard of Bridges to Life but I think you’d find it very interesting since they also are into restorative justice. Their website is http://www.bridgestolife.org.

Best Wishes,
Miguel Prats Founder
Maria Goretti Network

By: Kelly Mathews

Kelly Mathews — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:11:55 +0000

Dear Ms. Geske,

I run a support group for clergy abuse victims/survivors in the Diocese of Marquette. This is a lay group started by survivors.

We would very much like the oppurtunity to view the film. Please contact me.

Thank you,

Kelly Mathews
“Mended Wings”
Marquette, MI
Marquette Diocese Clergy Watch

By: Benjamin Barrientes

Benjamin Barrientes — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:49:42 +0000

I am glad to find out about the Healing Circle project. The clergy sex abuse scandal makes it difficult not to remain skeptical of the Catholic Church’s future. A most disheartening aspect of the scandal is the type of response by the leadership of the church. “Repairing” is a term that places the onus of the church’s future on the true believer. I look forward to viewing the documentary some day.

By: Peter Heyne

Peter Heyne — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:46:32 +0000

What a laudable project! As a young Catholic just out of college, I was deeply confused and ashamed when I heard about the heinous scandals breaking in 2002 (e.g., concerning my own native diocese of Dallas) and the decided lack of ecclesiastical, particularly episcopal, accountability and proper response. For a sobering perspective on the abuse crisis, especially the failure of many bishops, I recommend reading George Weigel’s The Courage To Be Catholic: Crisis, Reform And The Future Of The Church (Basic Books (March 2, 2004)).

This 2009-2010 year, could MULS host a screening of the documentary, e.g., in the Weasler Auditorium, not only for law students, but for the whole Marquette University community, the Archdiocese, and the Milwaukee area at large? I can also see great benefit from a panel and audience “talk-back” afterward.