Print Issue: March 14, 2002

Archbishop States Policy Of Archdiocese On Priest Pedophilia Cases

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have been watching with deep sorrow the media coverage of pedophilia cases involving priests in Boston and other Catholic dioceses across the United States. Each day I become more and more saddened as the list of accused priests grows longer and the faithful gather together to weep for the victims, their families and what they perceive to be the betrayal by the Catholic Church and its officials.

In light of these disclosures, I want to communicate clearly to you what my position is and what the policy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta is concerning priest pedophilia cases. I would like to confirm my commitment to protect the youth of this archdiocese.

This archdiocese will not tolerate pedophilia or any other form of child abuse, by any clergy, Religious or lay person, whether an employee or a volunteer. In accordance with established archdiocesan policy, accusations of child abuse will be reported to law enforcement authorities immediately. The archdiocese will cooperate in a prompt and thorough investigation. The accused person will be removed from work immediately, pending investigation. If the accusations are true, the person will be permanently banned from ministry.

Unfortunately in our archdiocese a few priests have been accused of sexual abuse of children in the past. One example occurred in the fall of 1987 when Father Anton Mowat, a parochial vicar at Corpus Christi Church, Stone Mountain, from late 1985 until October 1987, was accused of such acts. A grand jury indicted Father Mowat on April 4, 1988 on ten counts: two counts of child molestation; two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes; two counts of cruelty to children and four counts of simple battery. Father Mowat has served a lengthy prison sentence for his crime. He does not hold and will never be allowed to hold any position in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

While the situation with Father Mowat was very painful, it was a public wake-up call that these problems exist and must be dealt with quickly and in a manner that reflects the damage both physical and emotional that results from this sinful and criminal conduct.

In the months following the arrest of Father Mowat, the archdiocese issued a report on how to respond should a similar situation arise in the future. The guidelines govern our response to any allegations involving a priest, deacon, Religious or lay employee or volunteer:

1. All such allegations receive the bishop's personal attention; he consults with experts in psychology, law, etc. as he deals with the situation.
2. The appropriate civil authorities are informed and the archdiocese gives its pledge to cooperate fully in their investigation.
3. Meanwhile, the archdiocese does everything in its power to accomplish healing for all involved.

The sexual abuse of children by any adult is a heinous and tragic thing. It betrays the trust which children naturally place in adults, especially those responsible for their upbringing, welfare and guidance. For victims of sexual abuse, the pain and suffering is not, and may never be, over. In this archdiocese we have attempted to be as responsive as possible towards the victims by offering assistance with appropriate therapeutic counseling.

The archdiocese also uses extensive vocational screening procedures in selecting candidates for the priesthood. These include additional background screening including criminal background checks. Our sexual abuse policy is also being reexamined in light of the new disclosures outside of our archdiocese.

We are thankful and appreciate the many priests who serve with a loving and gracious heart the people of God in this archdiocese. It is a tragedy that the sins of a few have brought into question the vocations of priests throughout the nation.

Bishops also need the prayers of the faithful as they do their best to protect the children of their dioceses and all Catholics.

The church does not ordain angels or ready-made saints, but ordinary men. Yes, priests are ordinary men, as much in need of the faithful's prayers and support as the people are in need of theirs. Yet these ordinary men are called upon to do extraordinary things for and with the people of God. Only the grace of God can make that possible. However on a human level, while we can acknowledge that priests are simply frail human beings, we do expect an honest commitment to the truths they teach and preach to the faithful. We absolutely do not expect them to hurt or betray the trust of children.

Child abuse is a sin as well as a crime; like all sin it has a ripple effect, touching innocent members of the body of Christ and leaving them violated in body, mind, emotion and especially in trust. We must pray that the victims of these heinous crimes can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, someday forgive those who harmed them, to learn to trust again and to heal as they strive to become whole.

As we remember the painful past we must work and pray together for healing as we ask forgiveness for those situations in which we may have failed our people.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta