Posted: 7/3/02

St. Peter's fields questions on abuse

Branden Peterson
Staff Writer

In a stormy night of thunder, heavy rain, and threats of tornados, St. Peterís Catholic Church parishioners and the community gathered safely indoors Tuesday, June 25. They were staring in the eye of an unprecedented storm of their own.

Agreeing with reports of pedophilia sweeping through catholic ministry, St. Peterís acknowledged knowing of three former ministers with a dark history that possibly included the corruption, as well.

Former ministers Joseph Heitzer, Robert Zasacki, and Jerome Kerns, were discussed by the listener gathering of over 100.

Now gone from St. Peterís, these priests are accused of acts of abuse that were reported through other churches, and have grown varying accounts from victims.

Last weekís meeting was St. Peterís and dioceseís reponse to understanding the concerns of their members and the community.

ìThe most important thing we can do tonight is listen.î Father Robert Sipe of St. Peterís reminded the group at the beginning of the session.

Prayers and psalms precluded the listening session, hoping to ease the pain, and inviting people to come to the podium to share their feelings and thoughts.

James Lundholm Edes of the Archdiocese, and Father Sipe encouraged people to step forward.

Sharp and introspective at times, the questions and comments came quickly.

One meeting member asked the question, ìWhat will this do to the church?î

Father Edes responded calmly.

ìWeíre all hurting. Itís tough, we feel a lot of shame, pain. When this whole thing started I was angry. We dealt with this here in Minneapolis, St. Paul, 10 years ago, but apparently it is still going on.î

Family members of alleged abused victims in the past stepped forward as well.

Pain ran across many faces, often times saying, ìthis has affected all of my family, all of us.î

Optimistic to the future, Father Sipe talked to the group with a loving gentle smile. In certain occasions, listeners didnít want to smile back.

They just wanted answers.

ìWeíve listened, and listened, and listened, but now itís time for action. When are we going to see some action being done? I want accountability,î a stern woman said.

Edes responded,îI share your frustration and pain. The planning will begin.î

As angry as some listeners grew, a process of forgiveness appeared to surface among some listeners.

ìAs angry and upset as I am, this church is still my church. I believe in the Catholic church, and I will not let this wreck this church,î another anonymous member said.

People also had concerns over sending their children to school at St. Peterís, and making sure they are safe.

Father Sipe explained several policies now in place for checking the background of working ministers, including hiring a private company to investigate ministersí histories.

ìIím really sorry for the policies we havenít had in the past. I only hope we can gain your trust again.î Edes continued.

Even though many listeners expressed a loss in trust caused by the pain of the scandal thatís sweeping the nation, many last week expressed hope of overcoming the unprecedented scandals.

And parishioners here said they feel the change is coming.

A woman parishioner finished off the meeting with thoughts to the future:

ìWhen this is over, there will not be the unclean, God is clearing out the unwanted, and we will become new again.î

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