Terrie Light, who was raped by a priest at age 7, has formed the statewide Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. Despite recent apologies, like the one delivered last week by newly installed Diocese of Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel Walsh, Light and other victims say the church has a long way to go to make amends. Prey Tell Bay Area dioceses are ready to talk about priests, power, and pedophilia.
Survivors just hope they are ready to listen, too.
Each spring the 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter emphasizes penitence, encouraging the faithful to face their sins and be accountable for past wrongs. It is part of the festival of Easter, meant to celebrate rebirth and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Terrie Light usually just gets ticked off. The church talks about turning away from sin, but it hasn't been doing that itself. As an institution, it has been abusing people who go to the church to get healed.