Editor's
note: The following letters were received through the magazine's
React Online form. Also, beginning on web page 5, are letters received
by postal or e-mail.
The article by Mr. Salveson was quite disturbing
and tends to lend support to the emerging popular realization
that the Catholic Church in this country has long been guided
by a mafia-like corps of cardinals and bishops. This is becoming
more obvious with each passing month, and Mr. Salveson's story
is another example of someone coming forth to expose the corruption,
deceit and cowardice which apparently exist at the highest echelons
of our leadership. The coverup by bishops and cardinals of sexual
abuse by priests seems to be part of an overall pattern of behavior
we are only now beginning to notice.
Now that I think about this, the same group of bishops and cardinals
have covered up or not spoken out publically on many other moral
issues of our time, such as abortion -- isn't abortion an excommunicatable
offense for those in high political power who endorse the practice,
such as Senator Ted Kennedy and others like him? Has Cardinal
Law ever once spoken out about this? Why hasn't Kennedy been excommunicated?
I think I now get the big picture!
Anyway, I was shocked by the article, and the only response
I can think of is to be much more discriminating when I make financial
contributions to the church. It makes me ill to think that some
of the money I have given to the church has been used to silence
abusers and/or pay legal fees for cardinals and bishops who covered
up these offenses. I commend the courage of folks like John Salveson
who are beginning to turn on the lights in the attic.
John F. Rathman '61
Indianapolis
John deserves an award for the life that forms
the basis of his story, and for writing it. Notre Dame Magazine
deserves an award for printing it. Father Hesburgh's action, as
usual, probably was its own reward ... God bless him! God bless
John!
Rev. Thomas G. Landry '78
Worcester, Massachusetts
Despite all the lurid stories we've read in
the press about abusive clergy, John Salveson's article took my
breath away. Though I'm not naive, it is hard to believe the evil
done to him, disguised as authoritative good. Thanks to Mr. Salveson
for his battle--I admire his courage. And thanks to ND Magazine
for printing the story, an editorial choice that may have also
required courage.
Ann Gleason '80
Durham, North Carolina
Like most people, I'm sure, I found this article
expressing unimaginable horror. I cannot find the words to express
my thoughts and feelings. Moral Holocaust is the only term that
comes to mind.
That being said, how wonderful it was to read the author's final
paragraph. For certain, Father Ted has never let down his students,
his Church, his ministry, his God and . . . Our Lady.
Through it all, there is a witness to Christ's love, even in
the midst of unspeakable wickedness.
Douglas Marvin '69
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
John Salveson is a brave and great man. My brothers
Frank, Leo and I are sorry for all he suffered. He was a great
friend at ND. An overall great ND. man. We will anything to help.
This was one of the best articles I have ever read.
Bob Dricoll '77
Hingham, Massachusetts
Honestly written. It is amazing after such abuse
that John can be so level headed and fairminded. However on the
other hand his description of his treatment by the bishops and clergy
when he revealed his abuse is exactly the reason that I personally
have lost all faith in the clergy and the institutional Church as
the successor to Peter. The wealth of the Vatican in the face of
overwhelming world poverty, the righteous preaching to other nations
despite its own self centered aloofness; the denial, cover up, and
legalistic machinations of the bishops in the face of the sex scandals,
leads me to think: "how and why should I pay any attention to these
clowns when they profess to speak to me on matters of faith or morals.
They don't have a clue and have not for centuries. Jesus Christ
must be very disappointed if not outright disgusted. He would have
driven them all from the temple.
Peter H Moriarty '70
Washington, D.C.
I am saddened and ourtraged by John Salveson's
article. That he may well have been dominated by his abuser is
made understandable by reflection upon how dominant and controlling
a role priests had in the life of my (Catholic) generation. That
they still largely do so is demonstrated by the ability of the
many involved bishops and cardinals to cling to their rank despite
their wrongful (if not criminal) continuing conduct in the matter.
Though not a fan of Father Hesburgh, I am proud of his response
to John's recital and only wish it would be publicly emulated
by the hierarchy.
How "the Church" resolves the abuse problem -- and, more importantly,
how it seeks to redress the victims -- will determine whether
practice of doctrine is its primary goal. So far, it's not easy
to be confident or optimistic.
Edward Hanrahan '43
River Forest, Illinois
I am proud to say that John Salveson is my cousin.
He needn't have worried about family reaction to his abusive experience.
We are all behind him, and I, for one, admire his taking the time
out of his full life to reach out to help others. I was abused
by a family member and "didn't tell." I should have so that the
person was exposed and punished. Therapy, and people like John,
has helped to put it in perspective. Congratulations, too, to
your magazine for printing an important story.
Barbara Harrod
Juno Beach, Florida
First of all, I am proud that you
published the article by John Salveson in Notre Dame Magazine.
It lets the world know that Notre Dame has not been exempt from
the sexual abuse scandals within the Roman Catholic Church. Second,
I am impressed that you will publish responses on the website.
Many need to comment on it and, or share further Notre Dame stories
needing healing and reconciliation.
Kerry Temple''s editorial comments give the impression that the
Church has been suffering through a crisis "for more than a year
now." In many parts of the country we have suffered through the
crisis for decades. I refer you to the archdiocese of Santa Fe
and the crises in the dioceses of Lafayette and Dallas. When sexual
abuse issues were uncovered on the East Coast, the crisis somehow
became more real and immediate and has been addressed more thoroughly.
When I read John Salveson's article I thought back to a day in
the early summer of 1961. I had been accepted into a graduate
program at ND and was one of seven women who would be testing
the waters for women at Notre Dame, which eventually led to women
undergraduates at the university. I was excited about the opportunities
and excited to be going to the school where my two brothers had
gone and would go. My dad said to be sure and look up Father Phil,
a family friend who was one of the vice-presidents. It was a thrill
to go into the administration building for the first time. I will
make short the telling of what seemed like a long visit, I will
just say that this priest (who must have been about the age I
am now) began to hug, kiss and touch me very inappropriately.
I didn't know what to do. I was so surprised that this was happening.
I got out of there the best and fastest way I could with him urging
me to come back soon.
Like John Salveson I had no idea what to do with this info. I
certainly didn't imagine that I could tell Father Hesburgh, much
less my parents or friends. I knew as one of so few women in a
relatively new program I did not want to "cause trouble." I do
remember going to the grotto. I did not get an inner voice telling
me to do anything. So I told no one and tried to put it out of
my mind. One thing I knew was that no one would believe me, certainly
no one in the Church or at Notre Dame. It wasn't possible that
an elderly priest in high office would act that way. But it was.
One thing I know, it set me up to believe stories of victims
which surfaced here in New Mexico in the mid-1970s and on into
the early '90s. Some of the hierarchy has "gotten it" about sexual
abuse and its rippling effects, others, many others, have not.
It won''t change until the face of the Church changes and the
lines of authority change radically.
Catharine Stewart-Roache '62
Socorro, New Mexico
