Archbishop's Column

Archbishop Speaks on Mediation, August 25, 2006

As many of you are aware, the Archdiocese has been involved in four legal actions making claims of sexual misconduct by clergy. Three legal actions were resolved recently through the mediation process, including the action which named Msgr. Murphy. One action remains, which we hope to see resolved soon. That case involves the action of a layman in the Dillingham area from a period prior to the establishment of the Archdiocese of Anchorage when that territory was part of the Diocese of Fairbanks.

I know over the course of the last few years many questions have come up as a result of the legal actions taken against the Archdiocese. I hope the following information will answer some of the questions you might have regarding these settlements or other issues related to clergy sexual misconduct.

Many have asked why mediation. There are several reasons that we chose this route:

It provides a more rapid process for coming to resolution;
It only occurs if all parties agree that this is a viable option;
It is a just solution that provides a forum for all involved to express their concerns and desires, in a manner which respects each party involved;
A successful mediation is one where all parties feel that a mutual agreement is reached;
It protects the privacy of the plaintiffs.

When all parties in each of the individual actions agreed to mediation, we agreed at the request of the mediator that the content of the mediation discussions would be confidential, including the settlement information. I am abiding by that agreement. It is discouraging to me that others who signed this agreement have not upheld this commitment.

As a result of the mediations, the total Archdiocesan financial commitment to all three settlements is $795,000. Our insurers provided support for legal costs and will cover a large portion of the settlement payments. That portion of the settlement fees not covered by our insurers will be paid from funds earned through the sale of properties, which were reserved for this purpose, such as the Archbishop’s house. No funds from parish collections or the annual appeal were used to pay these settlements.

It is important that we not forget these events. We need to be vigilant as a Church and as a people of God, to address the reality of abuse and prevent it from ever happening to anyone, child or adult. We continue to provide a Safe Environment program in the diocese that includes background checks for all pastoral ministers, volunteers who work with youth and children, and diocesan and parish employees. Additionally, there is mandated training for all priests, deacons, parish directors, pastoral leaders, catechetical leaders and youth ministers. A column in the Anchor on Safe Environment tips is provided, and there are education opportunities in parishes to explore and discuss abuse, what to watch for and how to report.

Further, the U.S. Bishops have commissioned the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to conduct a thorough study of the causes and context of past sexual abuse of children and youth by clergy. The results of this study will give us insight into what more we can do to provide a safe environment for children in the future.

I share all this with you in a continuing effort to be a faithful and transparent steward of the resources entrusted to my care. I am committed to seeing that justice and healing are served. I seek justice and healing for those who were harmed by past actions while at the same time seeking justice and healing for those parishioners who continue to faithfully support their Church and its dedicated priests and clergy.

I invite us to continue our fervent prayers for all victims of childhood sexual abuse. Thank you for your patience and support throughout the painful experience this has been for everyone. May God in his infinite love bring about good from what we have experienced.

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Meeting of U.S. bishops was an inspiring time, June 30, 2006

June 15-17 saw the U.S. Catholic bishops gathered in Los Angeles for their spring meeting. In many ways, it was a significant meeting.

First, it enabled Cardinal Roger Mahony the opportunity to invite the bishops to celebrate the Eucharist with him in his newly completed massive cathedral. The celebration was truly impressive. It is clear that the structure was planned with large celebrations in mind.

As the nearly 300 bishops, archbishops and cardinals processed in, the choir sang the litany of saints, which was made visible in the massive tapestries of the saints lining both sides of the main body of the church. It was an inspiring experience.

The meeting also was the first opportunity for our new apostolic nuncio (the pope’s representative to this country) to address the body of bishops. Archbishop Pietro Sambi came across as approachable and humorous but with extensive experience and intelligence.

I had the opportunity to speak with him personally later in the meeting and invited him to visit Alaska. He said that he is just beginning to get a sense of how vast a country the United States is but that he would like to make the visit sometime.

The assembly considered and approved several proposals: the continuation of the collection for retired religious, the drafting of a document entitled "Stewardship and Teenagers," and the continuation of the planning process to downsize the conference (reducing the number of committees).

We also heard a heart-rending report of the extensive devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina from the bishop of Biloxi, Miss.

What took up an extensive amount of time was the presentation, discussion and voting on the English translation of the Latin version of the New Roman Missal. It was clear to the bishops that some changes were necessary. The English translation made nearly 40 years ago was rushed in order to get the Mass in vernacular to the people. The ensuing years of experience and the development of principles of translation made it possible to prepare more accurate texts. At the same time, the bishops want to keep to a minimum the changes in the responses and prayers learned by the people. Some adjustment by us all will be necessary.

Thus we accepted the more Scriptural response to "The Lord be with you" as "And also with your Spirit" instead of what we say now: "And also with you." The new response is reminiscent of St. Paul’s writings. On the other hand, we voted to retain other responses. For instance, in the Creed, we kept Jesus as "one in being with the Father" while other English-speaking countries accepted what the translators preferred, "consubstantial with the Father."

We also voted to retain the American adaptations that we are used to, for example, the acclamation "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again," which is not in the Latin text but permitted by the Holy See. The approved text now goes to Rome to be considered by various offices for final approval.

Whatever the final text turns out to be, as Cardinal Francis George of Chicago remarked at the meeting, "It is a much better translation, and richer in its reference to Sacred Scripture."

Hopefully it will enable us to pray together in an ever more respectful and inspiring way.

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Implementation of the General Instruction for the Roman Missal, March 24, 2005

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you know, in the local diocese, the bishop, as chief pastor, is charged with the responsibility of overseeing liturgical worship. Practices adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as principles of universal liturgical law serve as guidelines for bishops as they fulfill this important responsibility. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal has given directives that are to be implemented throughout the universal church as well as options for local or regional adaptation.

In matters of worship, the unity of the assembly assures the sacred and respectful atmosphere, which contributes to the building up of the local church. The bishops of Alaska have elected to promulgate common liturgical gestures for the celebration of the Eucharist throughout the state of Alaska.

These gestures also conform to the guidelines issued for the two other archdioceses in our region, Portland and Seattle. These gestures and postures at the liturgy are to be considered the norm beginning with the Celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, May 14 and 15, 2005.

The instructional aids, which will be appearing in the next several issues of our Catholic Anchor, will help in understanding the background and reasoning for these guidelines. It is my prayer that our common practice will contribute to the dignified, prayerful, and orderly celebration of the Eucharist consistent with the practices of the universal church and those of our fellow Catholics throughout the region.

Sincerely yours in Christ and Mary,
Roger L. Schwietz, OMI
Archbishop of Anchorage

Postures of the Faithful (Effective May 14-15, 2005)

From the beginning of Mass until the First Reading: STAND
From the First Reading until the Gospel Acclamation: SIT
From the Gosepl Acclamation until the end of the Gosepl: STAND
During the homily: SIT
From the Profession of Faith (bow at "by the power of the Holy Spirit...and became man") until the end of the general intercessions: STAND
From the preparation of the gifts until the completion of the invitation "Pray my sisters and brothers that this sacrifice...": SIT
From the beginning of the assembly's response "May the Lord accept the sacrifice..." until completion of the Holy Holy: STAND
Upon completion of the Holy Holy until after the Great Amen: KNEEL
From the beginning of the Lord's Prayer and continuing as each receives Holy Communion (may bow head to venerate the Holy Sacrament) STAND
Upon return to pew following reception of Communion: STAND
After all ahve received Communion during sacred silence following Holy Communion: SIT or KNEEL
From the beginning of the Prayer after Communion until the end of Mass: STAND