| For those who didn't see it, below is the
article which appeared in last Thursday's [9-12-2002] Union-Tribune announcing
the formation of the local "review board".
Of course among the inital questions a victim of abuse would ask about this board would be: 1. Why are there no abuse survivors on the board? 2. What "qualifications" do these board members have in the area of clergy sexual abuse? 3. What is the "criteria" used to evaluate and asess cases of abuse? 4. Why are there no members on the board who could be regarded as "independent" voices; free from any influence or conflicts of internal interest? 5. Why is Msgr. John Dicky, a priest known to have denied any clergy sexual misconduct on the part of priests in this diocese in the past in additon to being part of the attempted concealment and cover-up of the seminary scandal on the board? I am sure our fellow members could add a few questions of their own. In any event, for those who missed the article.....read on. * * * * * * * * * * Lawyer leads Catholic review board Panel to help assess allegations of abuse
By Sandi Dolbee
September 12, 2002
A retired deputy attorney general for California, who converted to Catholicism five years ago, has been tapped to lead a local review board that will help the Catholic diocese assess cases of clergy sexual abuse involving minors. "I feel honored and I feel challenged," M. Gayle Askren said. In an interview yesterday, Askren, a Coronado resident, said he supports the zero-tolerance policy U.S. bishops adopted in June. "We are very shocked when anything like this ever happens and surprised," he said of the misconduct accusations against priests in decades-old cases. "But the overall message that is finally getting clear to all of us is that there will be zero tolerance." Askren's appointment by Bishop Robert Brom was announced yesterday by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, along with the appointments of five other lay people, one priest, one deacon and one nun. Establishing local review boards was part of the sweeping policy adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at its Dallas meeting. The nine-member board will help Brom assess allegations and policies involving the sexual abuse of minors. The other members include: Adlin deCardi, a marriage and family therapist and a parishioner at St. Gregory the Great in Scripps Ranch. DeCardi also will serve as assistance coordinator for the diocese, helping with the pastoral care of people who say they were abused as minors by church personnel. Monsignor John Dickiem, pastor of St. Mary Magdalene in San Diego and a former rector of St. Francis Seminary in San Diego. Dr. Sue Hauwiller, a periodontist who also served as an advocate for victims of sexual harassment and assault in the military. Hauwiller is a member of Blessed Sacrament in San Diego. Anne Hendershott, professor of sociology at the University of San Diego and author of the recently published book, "The Politics of Deviance." Hendershott is a member of Immaculata church on the USD campus. Deacon James Scull, who is assigned to diaconal ministry at Ascension parish in Tierrasanta. Scull also is director of laboratory services at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center. John Shean, former vice president of sales and marketing for the Chargers who is a religious education teacher at Mission San Diego de Alcala. Rodrigo Valdivia, a canon law expert and vice chancellor of the diocese. Sister JoCeal Young, director of mission services at Scripps Mercy Hospital and a member of the Sisters of Mercy since 1955. In addition to the local review boards, there also is a national panel that will oversee the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy nationwide. USD President Alice Hayes is among its members. Askren, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Coronado, retired from the state Attorney General's Office last year and is now an attorney in private practice. The first meeting of the local board was held two weeks ago, Askren said. The next meeting is set for November. As he spoke about his appointment, Askren said yesterday that he was reminded of something his parish priest observed recently about this scandal. "The historical aspect of this is that it's bringing people together,"
Askren said. " . . . It's bringing us into this issue like never before,
and it's inviting us all to participate in this."
Sandi Dolbee: (619) 293-2082; sandi.dolbee@uniontrib.com Copyright 2002 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Local Contact:
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