Passing through the eye of a needle would seem easier for priests and their parishioners than dealing with the knowledge that a few members of the clergy have sexually abused minors.

But a growing number of priests in the diocese are speaking out and reaching out to parishioners, who are searching for answers while living their faith during the national scandal which has put the Catholic Church in the spotlight in recent months.

“What has happened to a few individual priests will cast an eye of suspicion on the good ones,” said Father Ambrose Ugwuegbu, parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Carmichael. “I share the feeling of other priests who want to cry out: ‘I am not one of them.’”

During one Sunday in Lent, like many priests in the diocese, Father Ugwuegbu reflected on the Gospel reading to address sexual misconduct by the clergy in his homily.

He said “the dark side of the church has been exposed” which will lead to “the purification of the church and priesthood.”

“When I looked up, people were rapt in thought. Some came up and thanked me,” Father Ugwuegbu said. “They know many priests are doing their best and are good priests.”

He added that it is erroneous to conclude, as many in society have done, that the church itself is in crisis.

“What seems to be in crisis is the human face of the

church, but the church will move on. Our faith will not be shaken, because it is only Christ we are following,” Father Ugwuegbu said.

Msgr. James Kidder, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills, decided to host a forum for parishioners in mid-March to talk about sexual abuse issues. It included presentations on topics including the meaning and place of celibacy in the church, pedophilia among the clergy and within the general population, the impact of sexual abuse on victims, and the diocese’s policy on sexual misconduct.

Msgr. Kidder and Father Peter Bosque, who is returning to active ministry and currently assisting him, were the presenters. Father Bosque shared his expertise in the field of psychology, having worked for nine years in San Diego as a federal court specialist for violent and sex offenses.

“There was plenty of dialogue with a concern that policies for dealing with abuse have been handled or mishandled nationally, and a general feeling of satisfaction on the way the Diocese of Sacramento has approached it,” Msgr. Kidder noted.

“There was a major concern regarding molestation of innocent children, sensitivity to the possibilities of innocent priests being falsely accused, and acknowledgement that pedophilia is more widespread than is thought by the population at large.”

Holy Trinity parishioners John and Renee Healy were among the more than 60 people attending the forum.

“We appreciate that these issues were talked about immediately from an altar of openness,” said Renee Healy, who is admittedly a little indignant about misinformation published on sexual abuse by clergy. “I was glad to hear a discussion on celibacy and homosexuality because the newspapers lump them (issues) all together.”

The Healy’s, both educators by profession, also believe the most important thing the church has to do is to be an advocate for children, “caring for young people who were victimized.”

Dominican Father David Farrugia, pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Benicia, like his fellow priests is deeply saddened by reports of abuse of children by some of the clergy. But in his view, expressed to parishioners in a homily during two Masses on Easter Sunday, the sins of a few have made the Catholic Church an easy target for the media.

“Psychologists and police experts attest that most sexual abusers of children are relatives and male acquaintances. The clergy is at the bottom of the list of all professionals,” he said. “Sexual abuse is wrong, whether perpetrated by those at the top or bottom of the list. It can never be condoned. But…why the barrage by the media only on the clergy and the Catholic Church?”

Father James Murphy, rector of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, addressed the subject of sexual abuse by clergy in some of his homilies during Lent. The cathedral also sponsored a “town hall” meeting April 14 to give parishioners an opportunity to express their concerns in an open forum. One session was held in English and one in Spanish, following Sunday Masses at the cathedral.

While acknowledging the “media frenzy” surrounding the sexual abuse reports is painful, Father Murphy said giving people an opportunity to speak out is paramount.

“People need and deserve an opportunity to talk about this,” he said. “It is an especially difficult time for Catholics who are married to non-Catholics.”

Father Thomas Bland, priests’ personnel director for the diocese, said that priests have been using the pulpit in a “very positive way” to give their perspective by connecting Gospel teachings to the issues surrounding clergy sex abuse. As a presenter at a class for returning Catholics at St. Philomene Parish in Sacramento, Father Bland found people eager to discuss their concerns on the issue.

“These were people supportive of priests, embarrassed by a few,” he said. “I felt affirmation from the people who talked.”

Franciscan Father Anthony Garibaldi, pastoral associate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Sacramento, spoke on the fifth Sunday of Lent of the healing role the laity can play within their faith communities in response to sexual misconduct by the clergy. Referencing the Gospel story of the raising of Lazarus from death, he said that Jesus gives people life and the responsibility to live out their faith.

“The laity have a depth in relationships that clergy do not have,” said Father Garibaldi, explaining that many priests of his generation during formation were typically not encouraged to establish a variety of personal relationships. “Lay people need to make sure priestly formation includes relationships inside and outside priesthood…that their priests know how to relate.”

It was a message that resonated with Ellen Robinson-Haynes, a St. Francis parishioner. Watching how devastating sex abuse reports are to those called to be priests, she said, is heartbreaking.

“My husband and I (both converts to Catholicism) very much understand our Catholic faith. The church is the people,” she said. “We have to say what does this have to teach us, so we can go forward and heal.”

Salvatorian Father Michael Newman, director of the Newman Catholic Center in Chico and diocesan director of campus ministry, said out of the current crisis some pro-active steps can build the church up even as some try to tear it down.

“I feel we’re under siege right now,” he said. “What good can come out is vigilance on determining who can become priests.”

Father Newman said a more comprehensive screening process of candidates for the priesthood to determine their maturity level is one step that should be up for discussion.

Priests in the diocese have gathered at various venues to dialogue and discuss their concerns and questions about the problem of clergy sex abuse, including deanery meetings and the annual convocation preceding the Chrism Mass on March 21. It was also expected to be a topic of discussion at the annual priests’ retreat at Christ the King Retreat Center April 15-19, directed by retired San Francisco Archbishop John Quinn.

More than 100 priests participated in the March 21 convocation. Sulpician Father Melvin Blanchette was the presenter. He is a licensed psychologist based at the Vatican II institute in Menlo Park, which provides for the ongoing education of priests.

“The tone of the talk was extremely effective,” according to Father Brendan O’Sullivan, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Sacramento, who helped to coordinate the convocation as director of continuing education for priests in the diocese.

The primary theme—that now is both the best and worst of times to be a Roman Catholic priest—he said, was “an uplifting kind of exorcism.”

“There was an expression of sorrow,” he said. “It was like a sacrament of healing …The strength of the priesthood was very manifest, and there was a feeling that we must be strengthened and recommitted to who we are.”

The diocese also plans workshops for clergy, lay workers and volunteers to update them on the revised policies and procedures for sexual misconduct. Father Bland said that feedback from diocesan priests indicates that from the current crisis “there is an honest feeling good will come.”

“We live out our faith not through what people are doing wrong, but what they are doing right,” he said.

To aid parishes or schools that may wish to have forums or discussion groups about sex abuse issues, the diocesan departments of Catholic Faith Formation, family life, and Catholic schools are jointly sponsoring the production and distribution of a resource packet for all 98 parishes.

Directed to priests, directors of religious education, and Catholic school principals, the packet will include a prayer service, suggestions of how to prevent sexual abuse among children, and a model for conducting adult forums on sexual abuse.

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