Victims of priestly sexual abuse share feelings about papal meeting

Published: 2008-04-18

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI held an unscheduled meeting April 17 with victims of priestly sexual abuse, shortly after pledging the church's continued efforts to help heal the wounds caused by such acts. "It's what I've wanted since 2003," said Bernie McDaid of the papal meeting, "and now I finally got it." He was one of numerous youngsters in the Boston Archdiocese abused in the 1960s and '70s by then-Father Joseph Birmingham, who has since been laicized. Faith Johnston, 23, who as a young teen was abused over several months by a Colombian priest inside her parish's rectory, told CNN of the papal meeting, "I had my mother's rosary beads, which she gave to me before I left home, and I was clutching those and praying for the strength to say the right thing." Johnston added, "I didn't end up saying anything (to the pope). I got up to him and I burst into tears. But honestly, I don't think any words I could have said ... my tears alone -- it just spoke so much." Olan Horne, abused by Birmingham after he was transferred by Boston archdiocesan officials from McDaid's parish to his own, told CNN April 17 that one thing he, McDaid and Johnston had to do during the meeting "was to allow the Holy Father to be the Holy Father. And I think there was a great balance between that and him hearing us."

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