what we're about as a church

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Nov 15, 2003

Returned from the USCCB meeting, the articulate and always lucid Bishop Joseph Adamec of Altoona-Johnstown holds a news conference in which he laments the constraints on communication imposed by litigation:

“It’s sad. What we’re about as a church, it’s limited when we cannot do what we should do as a church. We can help the alleged victim. Also, the alleged victim can help us. We must walk together,” he said. So following the call to reach out to those allegedly sexually molested by any clergy could prove difficult, the bishop said.

Memo to J.A.: When you're dealing with the post-abuse healing process in abstract, general terms, how about dropping "alleged" from the boilerplate "alleged victim" formula? It's easier to persuade a man that you and he should "walk together" if you don't suggest he's a liar and a scoundrel.