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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 1988)
The Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta Vol. 26 No. 24 Thursday, June 23, 1988 $12.00 Per Year ARRESTED BISHOP — Auxiliary Bishop Austin B. Vaughan of New York pensively awaits arrest June 11 for the second time in some six weeks for participating in an anti abortion demonstration. The story is on page 11. (NC photo by Chris Sheridan) Guidelines Will Be Response In Sexual BY GRETCHEN REISER A set of guidelines is expected to be in place soon that will outline how the archdiocese and its workers are to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct made against priests or others employed by the Church. The guidelines are to be drafted by a committee of people on the archdiocesan level, Archbishop Eugene A. Marino said June 17. In general, the guidelines will say that serious allegations of sexual misconduct by Church employees would receive the personal attention of the archbishop, with the help of ex perts who would assist him. Civil authorities would be in formed of the allegations and the archdiocese would cooperate with them, and the archdiocese would do all it could to help bring about healing for all involved. The archbishop gave a statement June 17 that summar ized his response to a one-month internal review of the way the archdiocese handled allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Anton Mowat and other priests. In a press conference he also spent nearly an hour answering ques tions about the topic. In an interview, Archbishop Marino said that he hoped guidelines would be in place before the school year reopens Pope, New Cardinals Will Take Part In Archbishop's Pallium Ceremony BY PAULA DAY Archbishop Eugene Marino, S.S.J., will be given the pallium, the symbol of the office of archbishop, by Pope John Paul II at a special liturgy in Rome on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. At a concelebrated Mass with the 25 new cardinals who will have been inducted into the College of Cardinals at a consistory June 28, the pope will give the new cardinals their official rings and pallia to newly-appointed arch bishops. During the consistory, the new cardinals will have received their red birettas — tiny, stiff square hats with three ridges on top, identifying them as cardinals. Archbishop Anthony J. Bevilacqua of Philadelphia will be the only other U.S. archbishop to receive the pallium. Another American prelate to be present for the ceremonies will be newly-appointed cardinal, James Hickey of Washington, D.C., who was Archbishop Marino’s superior for the eight years preceding his coming to Atlanta. A group of approximately 90 persons from the arch diocese are expected to attend the ceremonies. They will leave for Rome on June 26. A Mass, celebrated by Arch bishop Marino and attended by the Atlanta delegation, is planned for Friday, July 1, at the basilica of St. Mary Ma jor. The group will return to Atlanta July 2. The Georgia Bulletin will cover the pallium ceremony in Rome. The pallium is an ancient vestment dating to the fourth century, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. Since the sixth century it has been conferred by the pope on bishops of the Latin church, especially metropolitans, another title for archbishop, as a symbol of the archbishop’s office. It is a circular band about two inches wide, made of white wool, Issued To Outline Misconduct Cases so that should any accusation be made in the future against anyone, “the one to whom the accusation is made would know what he or she is expected to do.” “We’re vulnerable without them,” he said, referring to the guidelines. He said the need for them is “one of the things that seems to be a clear lesson” in the events of this spring, when Father Mowat was indicted on 10 charges of child molestation and the archdiocese was criticized by the district attorney’s office in DeKalb County for the way the matter was handled. Based on the review given him, Archbishop Marino said that the archdiocese gave a “very cautious response” to the families when allegations against Father Mowat were brought to archdiocesan attention in 1987. “At this point it seems that the archdiocesan officials did not move as quickly or as aggressively in responding to the human needs of the families and alleged victims,” he said at the press conference. But he also said that events were not as clear at the time as they are now. “I think we have to look back at what they were faced with,” he said at the press conference. “It’s clear now. There’s an indictment. That was not all that clear at the time the charges first surfaced. Even the early (Continued on page 13) and worn over the chasuble about the neck, breast, and shoulders. Two pendants hang, one in the front and one from the back. Six black crosses of silk adorn the pallium, one each on the breast and back, one on each shoulder, and one on each of the pendants. The pallium is made from the wool of two lambs — sug gesting Christ, the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd — (Continued on page 13) Priest's Assignment Most Reverend Eugene A. Marino, S.S.J., arch bishop of Atlanta has announced that Reverend Kevin J. Guidry, recently returned to Atlanta from two years of study in Canon Law where he received his Licentiate from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, and his Master’s from the University of Ottawa, has been appointed parochial vicar at the parish of Saint 'Thomas Aquinas in Alpharetta. During his years of study Father Guidry had been assigned to residence at Saint Anthony’s rec tory. wmm 1 - sPP Wm HI f | " \ Archbishop's Statement (This is the statement given by Archbishop Marino June 17.) In response to allegations of child molestation by certain local priests and questions about the response of the archdiocese, on May 111 commissioned a com prehensive internal review of the entire matter. The review is now completed. I have studied its findings and recommendations along with all the related background material including documents, letters and written accounts of interviews. In regard to the allegations themselves I am confi dent that the review provides me with a comprehen sive understanding of the complaints so that I am in formed of the scope of the situation and its various details. The review also provides an evaluation of the of ficial response by Church officials from the time the allegations were made until my installation as arch bishop of Atlanta. The nature of this response has occasioned some questions. While my own response might have been different, in retrospect I believe that the actions taken were adequate under the cir cumstances. Since my arrival in Atlanta I have assumed personal responsibility for directing the of ficial actions of the archdiocese in these matters and the review process has been very helpful to me. This report has provided me with recommenda tions on how to respond should a similar situation arise in the future. Accordingly I have begun, with the help of the appropriate archdiocesan officials, to formulate specific guidelines which will be based on the following procedures: 1) All such allegations will receive my personal attention with the assistance of experts. 2) The civil authorities will be informed and the archdiocese will cooperate fully in their in vestigation. 3) Meanwhile, the archdiocese will do everything in its power to effect healing for all involv-
