C A T H O L I C Graphic by Rufo Noriega BETRAYED: THE CHILD SEX SCANDAL ROY BOURGEOIS’ NEW BOOK REVIEWED- p.4 EFFORTS TO SURPRESS THE SCANDAL HAVE TARNISHED THE CHURCH

CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL

“Apparently, no one has enough integrity to take responsibility for the scandal. Their pathetic ham-handed efforts to suppress the scandal and save face have only more deeply tarnished an already besmirched Church.” BETRAYED We realize the Catholic Church’s hoping to put the past behind him sex abuse scandal may be offensive and move on with a somewhat clean to some of our readers. However, slate. However, it seems that neither with the February 2 court-ordered coordinated their mutual responses release of 50,000 sensitive Archdi- because the next day the Cardinal ocesan documents, and the ensuing came out on the front page of the media storm, we could not remain Los Angeles Times counter-rebuking silent. The following article is our Gomez and defending himself. Ap- response. parently, no one has enough integrity to take responsibility for the scandal. By JEFF DIETRICH Their pathetic ham-handed efforts to suppress the scandal and save face y family home was lo- have only more deeply tarnished an cated in the comfortable already besmirched Church. ocean-side community In some sense it is easy to under- Mof Manhattan Beach, stand the prelates’ fear of, and mis- California, where in 1983 the first steps with, the media. Historically, national media-covered child sex they are used to their internal affairs abuse scandal erupted into public being conducted in secrecy, beyond consciousness. The alleged events public scrutiny. And it is true that, at the McMartin Preschool, which at least since the French Revolution, involved scores of children, endless the “liberal press” has had a justifi- tales of demon worship, underground ably skeptical perspective toward the tunnels, and abusive sex rituals, were church that provoke their simplistic eventually deemed by the court, after responses of denial and its bunker years of trial and investigation, to be mentality. untrue and unfounded. However, that Unfortunately, the Church’s efforts decision did not come until after the of denial, suppression, and bunker defendants had lost their good name, retrenchment have provoked the their home, and their livelihood. scandal to far greater proportions What the McMartin case clearly than if the Bishops had just faced it, illustrated was that sex abuse actu- begged forgiveness, resigned, and ally happens most frequently in the offered to spend their lives in prayer home, with trusted relatives and and penance at a Trappist Monastery; friends, rather than in churches or sought a life of humble service at and schools—something that most “the February 2 release of the local Catholic Worker. parents do not want to hear. There- However, what we must realize is fore, for a long time I approached 50,000 pages of previously that sexual abuse of children, along the Church sex scandal with, if not with numerous other moral and ethi- sympathy for the Church, at least closely-guarded cal scandals, has occurred for cen- with a bit of skepticism. documents, the Los turies within our Church. Today’s However, by the February 2 re- lapses of morality, while reprehen- lease of 50,000 pages of previously Angeles Archdiocese has sible and entirely unacceptable, pale closely-guarded documents, the Los in comparison to the scandals of the Angeles Archdiocese has revealed revealed what many have Borgia popes, the inquisitions, the what many have suspected for a long suspected for a long time: crusades, the burning of thousands time: that Church officials are more of women accused of witchcraft concerned with the preservation of that Church officials are in Medieval Europe, as well as sacramental rites and rubrics than the abuse of young Vatican choir they are with preserving the rights more concerned with boys, who up until the twentieth and dignity of the victims of child century were castrated to preserve abuse. They are more concerned the preservation of their soprano voices. For centuries, about finances and image than they sacramental rites and popes, bishops, and priests have kept are about truth and justice. In con- mistresses, concubines, fathered formity with a consistent pattern of rubrics than they are with children, had homosexual lovers, and abuse reports around the country, abused choir boys and altar boys. sexual predators used the confes- preserving the rights and It takes the Church a long time to sional as a means of both seducing dignity of the victims of catch up with changing public mores. as well as forgiving their victims. Gay liberation, women’s liberation, When church investigators were sent child abuse. They are women’s ordination, as well as child out, they were more concerned about sex abuse have unfortunately not the abuse of the sacrament than more concerned about made it onto their moral radar. After they were about the sexually abused all, it took the papacy two centuries victim. finances and image to approve of the democratic system In the revelatory wake of archdioc- than they are about of government and 15 centuries and esan misconduct, Archbishop José six million victims of the Nazi Gomez publicly rebuked Cardinal truth and justice.” holocaust before the Church apolo- Roger Mahony, laying blame for past gized for the historic Christian sins squarely on his shoulders, thus Continued on page 2

ONE WOULD HOPE FOR SINCERE CONFESSION, CONTRITION, HUMILITY

CATHOLIC AGITATOR / 1 BETRAYED: THE CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL

By TONI FLYNN The stories went on, each more FOR MICHAEL unbearable than the previous one. s a teen, I curled my hair I wept. with orange juice cans, WITH The next morning I avoided the wore a Miraculous Medal SURVIVED GRACE café and the newspapers. I walked Aon a silver chain around loved. way to fatal head-on collisions. on the beach and my thoughts my neck, and liked to write po- I took it hard. Jealous husbands beating wives returned to earlier years when etry during Algebra class. Michael For the rest of the month, a gauzy and wives stabbing wayward hus- Michael and I were teens and the Thomas Horton was my classmate layer of my being, the one that filters bands. whole world—just prior to President and best pal at St. Monica’s Catholic out the full spectrum of despair, Cocky cops banging the heads of Kennedy’s assassination—still felt High School in Southern California. vanished. I missed three days of handcuffed men on cement walls. innocent, at least to us. He was a red-headed, freckle-faced work, hiding in bed, dreaming fitful Young gang members driving One hot summer night, we subver- Venice Boy who loved to surf at dreams. I was sick with a sense of down inner city streets in their cars, sively sneaked over a wall and under Sorrento Beach and wore Hawaiian my own mortality. shooting rival gang members and a fence and into the back lots of shirts to Mass on Sundays. The morning that I finally got up anyone else caught in the crossfire. Desi-Lu Studio where, on contrived I first met Michael at a sock hop and dressed and drove myself to the Foot soldiers and airmen, return- Western sets, we scripted, directed during our freshmen year. By the Steaming Bean Café, I purchased ing home after multiple deployments and acted out cowboy scenarios bor- time we completed our senior year three different newspapers and in combat zones, departing planes rowed from the real and imagined and marched up the aisle in caps and darkly dissolved myself into the in their hometown airports legless, comedies and tragedies of our own gowns to the tune of Pomp and Cir- news of the day. Maybe I wanted to armless, blind, scarred. Others young lives. cumstance, we had seen each other find news of things more insidious injured in less visible ways, feel- We watched James Bond mov- through our respective heartthrobs than cancer. And find it I did. From ing soulless, leaving suicide notes ies outdoors on beach chairs at the and heartbreaks and had sealed a the front page to the back, stories on their beds, putting guns to their back entrance to our local drive-in friendship that would last longer than unfolded like a child’s night terrors, heads and killing themselves. movie theater. We tried our best to any of our high school romances. bad news, sensational news, scandal- Enlisted men, behind the controls solve Sherlock Holmes mysteries on We kept in good touch over the ous news; violent and fear invoking of Predator Drones, striking vari- the black and white TV at Michael’s decades. Eventually, we both found news. ous targets as though it were a video Granny’s house. We drove to LAX ourselves living with our respective It was all there in black ink on the game, knowing that collateral dam- and watched planes take off and families along the California Central paper: age may include innocent children land. Coast, and visited often. Pimps scarring prostitutes who did and pregnant women. Michael experienced hard times in Last month, Michael died of an ag- not perform for enough profit. Manufacturers of B-2 Bombers adulthood, battling alcoholism for gressive form of cancer. It struck. It Drug dealers executing dopers who continuing with production so that, years before finally finding his way hurt. It killed, robbing him of more ratted on them. at a moment’s notice, the Bomb- to recovery. He had a sense of hu- precious time with his beloved wife Homeless addicts dying in gutters, ers can be commissioned to fulfill mor and used it, rather than his fists, and awesome children. It denied me ignored, dismissed, and disdained. the unthinkable task of delivering a to overcome conflict. He once saved more years with someone I really Drunk drivers passing out on their nuclear payload to any place on earth. Continued on page 6

DIETRICH, cont’d from p.1 that 20% are involved in heterosexu- sex was and remains the privileged mentality that saw the clergy as the persecution of the Jews. Obviously, al relationships or patterns with 10% theme of the confessional.” Sipes real church.” (p. 12) the moral ship of the Church has involved in homosexual behaviors, goes on to quote Nietzsche: “‘Sins Thanks to the whistleblowers, the an extremely wide turning radius. and 4% involved with adolescents, become indispensable in any society abuse survivors who despite dis- Therefore, do not hold you breath while 2% or about four to five organized by priests; they are the missal, derision, and demonization, for greater sensitivity to the victims thousand priests are child molesters real handles of power. The priest pressed forward with their cause of the child sex abuse scandal. Of (statistics from chart, p. 69). Yet we lives on sins; it is essential for him for justice and vindications. And course, one would hope for a Christ- are deluded into thinking that we can that people sin.’ (the) Supreme prin- ultimately, in prevailing, they have like response from the Church—sin- trust children with priests. Of course ciple: God forgives those who repent, revealed the heartless, scandalous cere confession, contrition, genuine all this is going on while the laity is in other words, those who submit to Church that pains us so deeply. humility…but that is not going to being held to the strict moral teach- the priest.” (p. 99) My wife recently received a note happen. Because in the end, the ings of the church. The sexual-celibate system is a sys- from a thirty-year employee of the issue is not actually about Christian The important element then, for tem of power that is pervaded with L.A. Archdiocese, ending with a virtue, it is about power. Church officials, is not the lack of secrecy and the bond of the confes- quote from St. Catherine of Siena In his recent book, Sex, Priests, adherence to celibate practice by sional, and while it may not be the addressed to the fourteenth century Power: Anatomy of a Crisis, psy- priests, but the maintenance of the cause of priest sex abuse, it provides cardinals: “You are flowers that shed chologist and former priest Richard façade of celibate practice. As long a protective hiding place for abusers no perfume, but a stench that makes Sipes finds the locus of the sex abuse as no one tells, as long as there are and forms the basis of the church’s the whole world reek.” And so it is scandal in his 40-year study of what no public scandals, then sexual initial lack of appropriate response to to this day. he calls the “sexual celibate power misconduct is, if not acceptable, at the victims. While we hold some hope that system.” He looked within the least tolerated. “Members of the In this age of information technol- Pope Francis I might bring a breath hierarchy can be sexually active,” of fresh air into the Church sex scan- priesthood and found sexual hypoc- says Sipes, “and still maintain their ogy, it is possible for the Vatican risy, deceit, the suppression of the la- to micromanage the day-to-day dal, we do not want to put too much offices, just as sexually active priests emphasis on that slim possibility. ity, and especially the suppression of can keep their ecclesiastical employ- activities of each diocese, and it women. Furthermore, he found that seems common knowledge that then Frankly, his willingness to speak ment and privilege and their social so vociferous on easy social issues of the secrecy and hypocrisy of the sys- relations with the brotherhood while Cardinal Ratzinger insisted on full tem creates an environment wherein birth control, abortion, and gay mar- enjoying a sexually active life.” (p. 60) knowledge and control of responses riage, while remaining silent on the the abuser can find safe haven, while The recent re-emphasis on the to the various scandals, and that the the victims of his abuse are treated more difficult issues of government sacrament of confession becomes rather uniform responses of denial kidnappings and assassinations dur- with skepticism and rejection. a salient point in the increasing and obstruction of justice had been While the majority of U.S. Catho- ing Argentina’s “dirty war,” reflects re-entrenchment of ecclesiasti- coordinated from the top down. As the same “business as usual” attitude lics, and even U.S. priests, do not cal power considered lost after the Leon Podles writes in his book Sac- trust or follow the sexual teachings exhibited by U.S. bishops who speak reforms of Vatican II. “Sexual sin,” rilege: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic publicly and critically to our govern- of the Vatican concerning gay mar- writes Sipes, “has progressively been Church: “It is hard to explain why riage, birth control, sex outside of ment about healthcare, birth control, incorporated into the sexual/celibate bishops followed the same policy of gay marriage, and abortion, but marriage, and even abortion, these system to the point where lust has transferring rather than punishing practices are nonetheless the official remain silent on wealth disparity, become the preeminent, uncom- abusive priests unless they had been Wall Street theft, corporate greed, teachings of the local bishops, and promised, and dominant moral so instructed by the Vatican… The public adherence to those teachings drone warfare, torture, Guantanamo concern for clergy and laypersons Vatican helped set the stage for the detainees, and illegal wars in Iraq is required. Sipes believes the sexual alike…Michel Foucault was correct, abuse by cultivating a clericalist teachings of the Church, based on and Afghanistan. “natural law” and certain Old Testa- The Church sex scandal forces us to lose any childish illusions we ment passages, are woefully in need April 2013 Vol. 43/No.2 of reconsideration in light of contem- CATHOLIC have left regarding popes, prelates, porary scientific and psychological and priests. We have been forced research. And it is these very teach- to grow up and recognize that, like ings, some of them quite spurious, presidents and political leaders, they that form the basis of the celibate Editors: Jeff Dietrich, Martha Lewis, and Mike Wisniewski are, despite their pretensions, flawed Managing Editor: Donald Nollar human beings, as are we all. We system of power that generates and Staff: Faustino Cruz, Theo Kayser, and Rev. Elizabeth Griswold precipitates the sex scandal. must take refuge in a deep sense of The Catholic Agitator (ISSN-0045-5970) is published bi-monthly the bare bones church stripped of “The celibate sexual system sepa- February, April, June, August, October, and December for $1 per year by the rates and elevates the priestly class pretensions, pageantry, and presump- Los Angeles Catholic Worker, 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA 90033-1722 tions of sanctity, and cling to the above the level of common human- • • • • • rock of what is essential. We still ity, giving them a status somewhat Periodical Postage paid at Los Angeles, CA have the Gospels, the word of God, closer, if not to God, then to angels.” POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: the Eucharist, the lives of the Saints, However, Sipes estimates that only The Catholic Agitator, 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA 90033-1722 25% of priests actually achieve the and each other. And that is enough. The LACW is not a 501(c).(3) non-profit organization and donations to the LACW are not That is more than enough. Ω state of celibacy and at any given tax-exempt. Editorial communications, new subscriptions, and address changes to: time only 50% are actually practic- 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA 90033-1722 Jeff Dietrich is a Los Angeles Catho- ing celibates. Further, he estimates 323-267-8789 • http://lacatholicworker.org • [email protected] lic Worker community member and editor of the Agitator.

2 / APRIL 2013 BETRAYED: THE CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL AGITATOR INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA BLAINE Barbara Blaine is founder and director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). She is an attorney and holds a Masters Degree in Sociology. Blaine also is a former Catholic Worker from Chicago and a tireless advocate for justice, dignity, and healing for victims of clergy sex abuse since 1988. SEEKING SEXUAL HEALING Agitator: The Archdiocese of Los And then one night at a meeting, Angeles recently was ordered by the one of the women started laughing. courts to release 50,000 pages of It was uncomfortable because the personnel files. meeting content was so very painful, Blaine: Yes, we fought long and and we asked her to explain what hard for that. was funny. And she said, “Don’t you Agitator: Good for you. I wonder get it?” She said, “We can’t all be if you found those files to be similar first,” And we said, “What do you to other files that have been released mean?” And she answered, “Well, throughout the country? Barbara, your bishop in Toledo said Blaine: Yes, and I think this is just you were the first victim. My bishop the tip of the iceberg. I think similar in Oakland told me I was the first files can be found in every diocese. one and Eddie in Philly was told he Church officials have been fighting was the first one too. We can’t all be for decades to keep them hidden; the first.” We then began to compare they did not succeed in L.A. The the things our bishops had told us L.A. files present a snapshot look at and it was revelatory; they had all just one diocese at one moment in said the exact same thing to us. It history. They show a culture, a norm was then that we realized they have of how these cases are treated. a policy. We discovered that in our Agitator: Cardinal Roger Mahony meetings in the early ‘90s and it was recently stated that the Archdiocese finally acknowledged in a strong way of Los Angeles is one of the best in in the grand jury report from Phila- the country, that he cleaned it up, delphia, as well as in other reports. therefore the rebuke by Archbishop Philadelphia really explained it. Gomez was inappropriate. Do you Agitator: Give me a synopsis. think this Archdiocese is in fact Blaine: The report, from 2011, said cleaned up? that Church officials, contrary to Blaine: There is no evidence that their proclamations, were using the such abuse has not continued. It is information from victims in order important to realize that what he is to cover up the abuse, not to protect saying in 2013 in his blog is exactly children and not to help the victims. what he has said numerous times in Agitator: What happened to you the past. This abuse surfaced in the when you reported your abuse? And early 1990s, and he made the same what year did you make that report? statement then and he said it again in Blaine: I reported it in 1985. They 2002. This is his mantra: “Oh, we went back and forth and pretended didn’t know any better then, and now to act concerned and as if I were we have cleaned it up.” It would be the first person to have ever come naïve and reckless of us to think that forward. I believed them because I it is not still going on. was naïve, but I eventually learned Agitator: Mahony said that prior to that others had been reporting that the 1990s he thought that these peo- same priest since 1969. He was not ple could be sent to a “retreat house” removed from ministry until 1992. for treatment and be cured and then Between 1985 and 1992, for those be placed back into parishes where seven years, they kept telling me that they worked with youth. Is there any he was being monitored to make sure excuse for not knowing that pedo- that he did not abuse other girls, but philes will be repeat offenders? the Church a universal response to victims and we would figure this later I learned that that was not true Blaine: Let’s be very clear: every abuse of secrecy and cover-up, from out together, and educate ourselves, and he did abuse others. state in the union put mandatory diocese to diocese. Does this indi- and find healing. That is how SNAP Agitator: You went on to get a reporting laws into effect by, I think, cate that there is top-down complic- began. degree in social work as well as a 1974. So, it is very hard to believe ity in this situation? I mean these Agitator: But SNAP is much more law degree. Do you work as a public that he did not know any better in policies come from the Vatican, than a self-help group. You went on, defender? the ‘70s, ‘80s, and up to the ‘90s. correct? and I mean this in a very positive Blaine: I used to work for the Pub- However, giving him the benefit of Blaine: We think so. way, and aggressively took action lic Guardian in Chicago. It is like a the doubt, why did he not report the Agitator: So, Richard Sipes… to reveal what was going on in the Public Defenders Office; it repre- information back then? Why did Blaine: He really is a sweet guy, a Church. sents abused and neglected kids. he continue to conceal and cover it former Benedictine monk who wrote Blaine: That was not necessarily Agitator: Has your background in up until recently? And, the reports Sex, Priests, and Power. our goal in the beginning. However, social work and law helped you with show that he was helping predators Agitator: He estimates that pedo- what happened was that along the exposing this abuse? to escape across state and interna- philes comprise about 2% of the way we learned that our own healing Blaine: Oh, yes. Definitely. tional boundaries. priests in the United States, about is deeply tied to our efforts to pre- Agitator: I really appreciate the Agitator: Do you think the Catho- four to five thousand men. Do you vent more abuse. It is as if we each work of SNAP; you are printed as a lic Church is more prone to having think, based on anecdotal experi- have to come to a personal, private response to just about everything I sex offenders among its ranks of ence, that this is fairly accurate? moment of acceptance, which might read on this issue. priests then would be found amongst Blaine: I do not believe so. I think be quite painful, and say, “OK, I will Blaine: Right, that is our public the Boy Scouts or in school districts? that is an old quote. I think if you never know what it is like to grow image. Yet 80% to 95% of our work Blaine: Oh, I don’t believe so, and were to talk to him today, he would up and not have been raped by the is with individual survivors. We run every institution covers up for its give you a much higher percentage. priest…” We struggle with feelings self-help support meetings. We train predators. Although in the Church It is probably somewhere closer to of inferiority and the sense that survivors to become leaders. We there is this belief that once you are 10%. there is something abnormal about have about 200 trained leaders listed ordained, you are ordained forever. Agitator: Can you tell me how you us that led to our victimization. We on our website, but at any given time You can molest children, be caught, came to found SNAP and about your feel helpless. And then we make a there are maybe 40 to 50 who are admit to it, and you are still paid; involvement with that project? complete turn-around and work on really active in holding group meet- you still have housing; you have Blaine: I was abused and raped by empowering ourselves. I cannot go ings, responding to individual survi- medical care; you don’t even have to my parish priest when I was a child. back and grow up again, but maybe vors, meeting with family members, work. I did not tell anyone or even really I can do something to prevent some networking to get people the services Agitator: Why is this the case? understand it until I was well into other 12 or 13 year-old from going they need and to get connected to re- Blaine: Good question. I do not adulthood. When I finally came through what I went through. This sources in their communities. have that answer. Why do religious forward and went to church officials, becomes healing and consoling and Agitator: I imagine some people communities keep these guys in their I began to realize that they were not empowering. might say that this abuse happened communities? I guess they make a going to help me, despite assurances We had no idea when we started so long ago and you should just get commitment to the priests to take that they would. This became very SNAP and began our support group over it. care of them their entire life. I do obvious. It was the 1980s and there meetings that we were going to un- Blaine: Yes, people say that all the not understand. were self-help groups then for every cover what we uncovered; we were time, and we would love it if that Agitator: There seems to be within one. So, I thought I would find other merely talking and doing self-help. Continued on page 6

CATHOLIC AGITATOR / 3 A NEW BOOK BY ROY BOURGEOIS

On November 19, 2012, Roy Bourgeois, a Catholic priest for 40 years, was expelled from the priesthood for his public support for women’s ordination. MYThis booklet JOURNEYexplains why he believes that women FROM should be priests, SILENCE how he came to that understanding, TO and SOLIDARITY why he has chosen to join their struggle. Review of My Journey from Silence spending more than three years of crew verbalizes enjoyment at the to Solidarity his life in federal prisons and jails PFC. BRADLEY MANNING: GUILTY OF sight of one of the ground vehicles By Roy Bourgeois, M.M. for his efforts of solidarity with driving over a body. 43 pages • $7. • Online at: the victims of U.S. policy in Latin In addition to the Afghan War and roybourgeoisjourney.org America. TRUTH TELLING Iraq War Logs and the Collateral or amazon.com One of the over 300 activists ar- By THEO KAYSER have. They dehumanized the in- Murder video, Manning admitted rested at Ft. Benning during the past dividuals they were engaging and to leaking diplomatic cables and By MIKE WISNIEWSKI 22 years is Janice Sevre-Duszynska, or more than 1,000 days, seemed to not value human life by documents related to the detention a woman who also has struggled Bradley Manning has been referring to them as, quote, dead of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. In lthough this booklet was against the Catholic Church’s policy held in military custody, his statement, Manning argued the published prior to Roy bastards, unquote, and congratulat- of sexism—disallowing women’s charged with 22 counts ing each other on the ability to kill cables should “become public” as a Bourgeois’ dismissal from F part of open diplomacy and stated ordination. Through this encounter related to leaking documents to the both the Church and the in a large—in large numbers. A and subsequent friendship, Fr. Roy whistle-blowing website Wikileaks. At one point in the video, there is that he was shocked by the U.S.’ Maryknoll Missionary Priests and entered into solidarity with Janice During this time, Manning’s voice an individual on the ground attempt- policy of continuing to detain indi- Brothers, with whom he served for and hundreds of other women who has been silenced, buried in a mili- viduals they knew to have no enemy 45 years, it traces the journey that ul- ing to crawl to safety. The individu- desire to follow their priestly vocation. tary brig. Yet, recently a recording al is seriously wounded. Instead of intelligence. He stated, “As I hoped, timately led to this unjust verdict. Fr. Roy describes his belief that of Manning was leaked to the media. others were just as troubled, if not At the outset, we learn that Roy calling for medical attention to the “…our Church’s teaching that excludes The recording is of a more than location, one of the aerial weapons more troubled, than me by what they Bourgeois became interested in women from the priesthood simply hour-long statement read by Man- saw.” becoming a missionary priest while team crew members verbally asks cannot stand up to scrutiny…Sexism, ning as he pled guilty in a military for the wounded person to pick up a Manning can still be brought to serving in the U.S. Navy during the like racism, is a sin…excluding women court to ten of the counts against trial on the other 12 counts against Vietnam War. In 1965, while in weapon so that he can have a reason from the priesthood is a grave him. If Manning’s guilty pleas are to engage. For me, this seems simi- him, the most serious of which Vietnam, he met a missionary priest injustice against women, against our accepted for those ten charges, he “aiding the enemy,” carries a life who directed an orphanage for more lar to a child torturing ants with a Church, and against our God who will face up to 20 years in prison. magnifying glass. sentence without the possibility of than 300 children whose parents calls both women and men to be However, there are an additional 12 parole. His intention was not to aid suffered death by U.S. bombs and While saddened by the aerial priests.” In 1995, Fr. Roy took these charges also pending, which I will weapons team’s true lack—crew’s the enemy, but simply to “spark a bullets. Roy’s experience at the and other concerns directly to Pope explain later in this article. domestic debate on the role of the orphanage caused him to question lack of concern about human life, I John Paul II in a letter sent to the In the recording Manning not only was disturbed by the response of the military and our foreign policy in U.S. policy in Vietnam, and look tells us that he is the person who general,” by telling people the truth deeper into what God was calling Vatican, who never responded. discovery of injured children at the Fr. Roy continued to prophetically leaked the documents, he also ex- scene. In the video, you can see the about our wars in Iraq and Afghani- him to do with his life. It initiated plains the motivation for his actions: stan, but dialogue is something the the process of change from warrior speak out against the SOA/WHIN- bongo truck driving up to assist the SEC and the Church patriarchy for In attempting to conduct coun- wounded individual. In response, military-industrial complex seeks to to peacemaker. avoid; obedience is preferred to de- In 1972, Roy was ordained a denying women the right to ordina- terterrorism, or CT, and counterin- the aerial weapons team crew as- tion. He then received an invitation surgency, COIN operations, we sumes the individuals are a threat. bate, as assimilation is to discourse. Catholic priest and assigned to In reality Manning’s action were Maryknoll’s mission work in La Paz, to attend Janice Sevre-Duszynska’s became obsessed with capturing They repeatedly request for autho- Bolivia, where the poor whom he ordination in 2008. and killing human targets on lists rization to fire on the bongo truck, not so much an aid to the enemy as served introduced him to their “the- Soon after the ordination, Fr. Roy and with being suspicious of and and once granted, they engaged the they were a threat to the U.S. war ology of liberation” and the meaning received a letter from the Vatican avoiding cooperation with our host vehicle at least six times. machine. While Manning is already of the word “solidarity” in the faith stating that he had caused “grave nation partners, and ignoring the Shortly after the second engage- facing decades in prison, the helicop- community. scandal” in the Church by participat- second and third order effects of ment, a mechanized infantry unit ter crew whose malicious disregard Living in the midst of the impov- ing in the ordination of a woman. He accomplishing short-term goals and arrives at the scene. Within minutes, for life was recorded in the collateral erished who daily experienced the had 30 days to recant his position or missions. the aerial weapons team crew learns murder video will not be punished. oppressive policies of U.S.-backed- face immediate excommunication. I believed that if the general that children were in the van, and And while those whose lies set us on Bolivian dictator General Hugo In response, Fr. Roy sent another public, especially the American despite the injuries, the crew exhibits the path to war will never see the in- Banzer, who opened the door to letter to the Vatican stressing that public, had access to the informa- no remorse. Instead, they downplay side of a cell, the man who revealed Corporate America’s exploitation of “…there is no justification in the tion contained within the CIDNE-1 the significance of their actions, to us, and the world, the truth may Bolivia’s cheap labor and vast Bible for excluding women from the and CIDNE-A tables [files contain- saying quote, well, it’s their fault spend the rest of his life behind natural resources, Roy began to make priesthood…Who are we, as men, to ing incident reports from Iraq and for bringing their kids into a battle, bars. Ω their struggle for justice and equality say to women, ‘Our call is valid, but Afghanistan], this could spark a unquote. his struggle. During his fifth year in yours is not?’ Who are we to tamper domestic debate on the role of the The aerial weapons team crew Theo Kayser is a Los Angeles Catho- Bolivia, Fr. Roy joined with many with God’s call?...” Also pointing military and our foreign policy in members sound like they lack sym- lic Worker community member. To Photo from Roy Bougeois slum dwellers in protests against sys- out “…that in the U.S. alone, nearly general, as well as it related to Iraq pathy for the children or the parents. offer support for Bradley Manning temic injustices, for which he faced 5,000 Catholic priests have sexually and Afghanistan. Later, in a particularly disturbing or to find out more about his situa- arrest and permanent deportation. abused more than 12,000 children. STATEMENT I was doing. ‘Nothing’ is what far at my disposal: my body and my I also believed the detailed analy- manner, the aerial weapons team tion please see: bradleymanning.org After returning to the U.S., Fr. Roy Many bishops aware of the abuse, too many people of good will do. prayers. sis of the data over a long period of turned his attention to El Salva- remained silent. These priests and TO THE COURT While schools lose funding and My presence did not go unnoticed time by different sectors of society dor, where another U.S.-backed bishops were not excommunicated. people sleep on the streets of the (as I am sure my prayers did not) and might cause society to reevaluate military dictatorship was repressing Yet the women who are called by country, billions of dollars are spent for at least some time, the Air Force the need or even the desire to engage GUANTANAMO the impoverished population. The God and ordained to serve God’s NOT DOING on preparations for nuclear war, and had to respond to what they consid- in counterterrorism and counterin- assassination of Archbishop Oscar people, as well as the priests and most people do ‘nothing.’ While ered a threat to their security. I was surgency operations that ignore the Romero, and brutal rape, torture, and bishops who support them are ex- NOTHING ICBMs are tested at Vandenberg Air no threat to any of the Airmen I en- debate—that ignore the complex HUNGER STRIKERS murder of four U.S. churchwomen communicated…Our loving God has Force Base polluting the water of countered, as my actions were com- dynamics of the people living in the given us a voice. Let us speak clearly Theo Kayser was arrested on Octo- effected environment every day. soon after, led Fr. Roy to investi- ber 21, 2012 for a backcountry ac- the Marshall Islands with depleted pletely nonviolent and my demeanor gate reports that the U.S. supplied and boldly and walk in solidarity, as uranium and the coast of California nothing less than polite. Manning also showed outrage at Jesus would, with the women in our tion at Vandenberg Air Force Base. what has come to be known as the the training and weapons used by The statement below was prepared with exhaust from rocket fuel, most I know my enemy is not those the death squads involved. What he Church who are being called by God people do ‘nothing.’ I was not doing men and women who participate in “collateral murder” video in which to the priesthood.” for his court appearance on Febru- U.S. forces are seen killing 12 peo- Wisniewski Mike by Photo discovered was that in this nation the ary 21, 2013. Theo was sentenced to ‘nothing’ because I did ‘nothing’ for the U.S. war machine, but rather the U.S. Army School of the Americas No further communication came far too long and I can do ‘nothing’ machine itself. I know that they are ple, including civilians who arrived from the Vatican until after this ten days in federal prison and served at the scene to help the wounded. (SOA), at Fort Benning, GA, was the his time from February 24 to March no more. not bad people, but merely suffer training center for all Latin Ameri- booklet’s publication. In the fall of After turning myself in to military from what can only be described as After the shooting had stopped, it 2012, the Vatican issued its final 6. Excerpts from his statement have was discovered that two of those can military personnel trained in been printed in his hometown parish police, I spent the next ten hours on paralyzed conscience, and that given counter-insurgency tactics, and U.S. word: Fr. Roy Bourgeois, M.M. the base. During that time, I spoke the chance (and perhaps just a little killed were journalists with Reuters was stripped of his priestly duties, bulletin in St. Louis, Missouri and and two of the injured were children. tax dollars funded the school, train- the Catholic elementary school that with a number of men employed hope), they too would stop doing ing, and weapons supplied to the excommunicated, and dismissed there, and I assure you, I did not ‘nothing’ and help create a world Manning was shocked by the U.S. from the Maryknoll Order, effective he attended uses his story to teach soldiers “delightful bloodlust:” death squads. about peace and justice. talk with them about ‘nothing.’ I where the taking of, and prepara- Soon after, Fr. Roy and two others immediately. Though aggrieved, Roy talked about this country’s illegal tions for the taking of innocent life It was clear to me that the event began what would later become the has persevered in the struggle with By THEO KAYSER and immoral preparations for nuclear is not accepted because in the event happened because the aerial weap- School of the Americas Watch (SOA increased vigor. warfare and I talked about my firm of nuclear war, it will be all peoples, ons team mistakenly identified Watch). Ongoing vigils have been This booklet is a very good and Upon receiving a copy of the State- belief that it is the responsibility including military personnel, who Reuters employees as a potential The LACW joined the nationwide fast in solidarity with more held at the main gate in protest of easy read. It provides an in-depth ment of Probable Cause for my arrest of each and every one of us in this will become victims. threat and that the people in the U.S. policy in Latin America, spe- look, not only of Roy Bourgeois the at Vandenberg Air Force Base on country to oppose these preparations Exactly 50 years before that night bongo truck were merely attempting than 100 prisoners in Guantanamo Bay prison who have been cifically the continued existence of person, but the justice issues that October 21, I noticed an error in for what could ultimately lead to in October, during what is referred to assist the wounded. The people in on a hunger strike for nearly two months in protest against the SOA (now known as the Western have consumed his life. It provides the statement. It says, “Kayser was the destruction of this planet. This to as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the the van were not a threat but merely Hemisphere Institute for Security a sane and logical view of women’s asked what he was doing on Vanden- sort of opposition is, in fact, what I world was brought to the brink of “Good Samaritans.” their continued detention without charges, though years ago Cooperation—WHINSEC). ordination, touches on the real scan- berg AFB. Kayser stated ‘nothing.’” was doing at Vandenberg AFB that this very sort of destruction. I can The most alarming aspect of the they were cleared for release. For more info visit our website: Over the years, Fr. Roy experienced dal of sex abuse in the Church, and I would just like to say that this night. I was attempting to disrupt only say that we have not yet learned video to me, however, was the seem- arrest and imprisonment several times the immoral and often illegal actions was not my response because ‘noth- the preparations for war that go on at our lesson and that there has been far ingly delightful bloodlust the aerial lacatholicworker.org or witnessfortorture.org. for “crossing the line” at Ft. Benning, Continued on page 6 ing’ is precisely the opposite of what this base with the only tools I have Continued on page 6 weapons team—they appeared to

4 / APRIL 2013 CATHOLIC AGITATOR / 5 BETRAYED: THE CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL

FLYNN, cont’d from p.2 ments in my life where I have the cracks. This young man was in make the distinction between be- joined with others in the Catholic his early 30s, married, and in his ing a confessor and being a church a drowning man’s life. He never peace movement, crying out pro- suicide note he tells about sexual administrator, so all of these revela- made headlines for his achieve- phetically that it is time to repent, abuse by the priest and how he tions were understood to be under ments. He simply and humbly over- that there is blood on our hands and could not cope with it and about the seal of confession. came the odds that were stacked brokenness in our world, and that the horrible response he got from Blaine: Cardinal Mahony conven- against him and made the world we must work with God to restore the diocese of Joliet, who did not iently plays that as if there were a better place. He was, I think, a things to wholeness. Really though, believe him. His mom said that some kind of legal distinction in noble man. more often than not, I am angst no one reached out to her from the California that information revealed When I say ‘noble’ I mean a genu- ridden, hiding in bed, hurting and diocese, so she came to the support in the confines of confession are ine person who transcends suffering. afraid, wanting so much to wash my group meeting looking for answers, respected by the law, but the bottom When I looked up nobility in the hands of the whole mess and run line is that most predators do not dictionary, to my disappointment I looking for consolation. And of like blazes out of Dodge City, as course we do not know how to bring go to confession for their abuse. found that ‘noble men’ and ‘noble though planet earth was a Western Most predators are so sick that they women’ over the centuries have her son back, but she was saying facade on a movie lot. As though I if he had only found us maybe he do not believe that they are doing been defined by such superficial could escape responsibility. something wrong; they justify or elements as inherited title, wealth, would not have taken his life…it is Dark months of despair, like the utterly heartbreaking. rationalize it that the child is entic- property, privilege, prestige, rare one I experienced last month, do ing them or that it is what the child jewels, fine clothes, silk purses. Agitator: One would really hope grip me on occasion. Yet hope pre- that someone would finally take wants or that they are not hurting Peacock feathers and snuff. vails in spite of those times. As a the child, they love the child. My Kings, queens, lords, ladies, even responsibility and say, “I am sorry.” Catholic woman, I know deep down But that does not seem to happen. point is that not that many are con- bishops and popes have a history of that I will cling to Catholicism fessing their behavior. presenting themselves in specially Blaine: Well, actions speak louder because of the example of nuns and than words. There have been lofty In 2003, Cardinal George here in designed wardrobes to distinguish other courageous Catholic women Chicago met with a small group of them from the common masses, ele- statements, even by the previous who—though denied access to the pope, and I expect the new pope us victims and told us that he and vate them to a ‘nobler’ status. priesthood—nonetheless prevent the Cardinal Bevilacqua had agreed Even in this day and age, we still will make some statement of sor- world from blowing to smithereens row, but a statement without some that they had never encountered go gaga over the low-cut silver through the persistence of their a false allegation of abuse. That gowns and black tuxedos of movie action showing the sorrow, showing prayers and good acts. a change, is absolutely meaningless. was told to us privately and later stars, and the diamond laden gold And I know I will cling to U.S. crowns of queens. More disturb- We do not see anything different in he would not publicly admit that he citizenship because of ragtag had said it. But he certainly did. ing and dangerous, we exalt the clusters of Catholic Workers and the Church today. Church officials self-appointed ‘nobles’ of our era continue to cover up; they do not Agitator: Richard Sipes states in other peacemakers who, by stand- his book that this is the most devas- who grasp at the illusions of power, ing visible in prophetic witness and criminalize the behavior or put the politics, money, and militarism at children first, so from our perspec- tating scandal in the Church since invisible inside of jail and prison the fourth century. Do you want to the expense of others. cells, call us all to nonviolent action tive we do not believe there has been In my dictionary, right underneath real, substantive change. We believe comment on that? and merciful justice. Blaine: I think there is nothing the words describing ‘Nobility,’ is the Finally, I know I will cling to my that children remain at risk today. word ‘Nobody,’ said to mean a A grand jury report from the dio- more far-reaching and insidious and humanity because of the noble ‘nobod- evil than to have, not just sexual as- person of no public importance, ies’ who transform my life. Great cese of Philadelphia was released influence, or social station. in 2011, and remember, that was sault of children by the clergy, but souls like my friend, Michael. Ω also the concealment and cover-up I believe that truly noble men and the third grand jury to investigate. noble women more often than not They found, in 2011, not a dozen, that allows the abuse to continue. Toni Flynn is a longtime friend of The lack of response and inadequate are found among the ‘nobodies’ and the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. not two dozen, but 27 accused pred- in the lowest places. “A high station response by Church officials insures ator priests working in the ministry that the abuse continues and the vio- in life,” says Tennessee Williams, BLAINE, cont’d from p.3 in the Philadelphia diocese. If they “is earned by the gallantry with lence continues. They do nothing to did the same kind of investigation stop the violence. which appalling experiences are could happen. The problem is, that in Chicago or Los Angeles, I bet Ω survived with grace.” for individual survivors the hurt they would unearth the same kinds They are always down there if we does not go away and it is haunting of numbers. However, those kinds WISNIEWSKI, cont’d from p.4 bother to look—there in the shadow and it stays with us for decades. In of thorough investigations are not places—the unwashed and unloved; fact, for most victims the pain is a of U.S. Latin American policy. If being done in other places. you are looking for a concise yet those who live in the obscurity of lifelong experience. Agitator: I imagine a survivor low-income housing, shelters, asy- Agitator: You talked earlier about informative source for inspira- who has tried to access some kind tion on living prophetically in the lums, jails and prisons; who hold someone who was homeless for a of redress and reform and has been “I am hungry and homeless” signs while. Does he attribute that to a twenty-first century, I recommend rebuffed would feel a tremendous this booklet. In the midst of all the on boulevard corners or wait for poor sense of self-worth due to the sense of betrayal. rides at freeway entrances wearing abuse? scandals and crises affecting the Blaine: There is no question; it Church and society, this booklet il- tattered backpacks, hanging on to Blaine: Yes, poor self-worth. was a huge betrayal. You under- their mangy dog or their stringless Also, people often get into self- lustrates how one person can make a stand how devastating sexual vio- difference. How each of us has the guitar; those who stand in unem- medicating. Survivors have dif- lence is for an individual and that ployment lines and food lines, who ficulties from the moment the abuse responsibility to move from silence lifelong healing from it is something to solidarity. Ω sit ill and weary in county clinics occurs in our youth. Without even you get to work with every single and limbless in veterans hospitals; understanding, we do not do well day. Yet many victims describe, Mike Wisniewski is a Los Angeles who die alone and forgotten in con- with people who are in positions of and I think for me this was true as valescent care facilities and AIDS Catholic Worker community mem- authority over us. And if you do not well, that it was even more devastat- ber and an editor of the Agitator. hospices and on the streets. do well with people in authority you ing to come to terms with the fact Growing up, Michael and I had probably do not do well in school, that church officials were lying, that families that rated among the and if you get a job you might not they did not care about the victims KAYSER, cont’d from p.5 ‘nobodies.’ And Michael was the be able to keep it, or you might not first, and for a long time, the only or their families or about protecting too much ‘nothing’ during those 50 get the promotions that other people other children. years. friend, with whom I shared confi- receive. We survivors have dif- dences about the shame of growing The bottoms line is that their pri- I understand that by deciding not ficulties with intimacy, and I do not ority is backwards. Their priority is to do ‘nothing’ I have put myself at up in an alcoholic household where mean just sexual intimacy. money was scarce and tempers ran to protect the institution. You asked risk. I understand that perhaps those We have difficulty allowing me about this earlier and I want to who have been commissioned by the high. No one…I mean NO ONE other people to get close to us and in high school dared disclose such be clear, that priority comes from state to make such judgments may love us, so we have lots of broken the Vatican. There was a document, deem it necessary that I be punished secrets to their schoolmates. But I marriages. We have trouble getting did to Michael. and the Latin term was Criminus with imprisonment for refusing to Then one day, Michael entrusted along with parents, siblings, and Solicitamus, which refers to solicita- do ‘nothing.’ I am prepared for this, me with the traumatic story of his our own children. We experience tion within the confessional. That as I cannot in good conscience pay own childhood…how, soon after his mental illness, post-traumatic stress document was promulgated in 1962 fines that will ultimately support father abandoned the family—when disorder, anxiety, depression. And and sent to all the bishops and heads a system that defends the rights of Michael was a little guy of six-years unfortunately, and this is one of of religious communities. The pri- war-makers at the expense of peace- old—his mother went up to her bed- the heartbreaks, many of us do not ority was in keeping these incidents makers. I am prepared for whatever room and shot herself. He found survive at all. confidential; even victims and their sentence might be passed down, but her dead. It would have been under- Agitator: What do you mean by families were required to keep this I am not prepared to do ‘nothing.’ Ω standable for Michael to become that? confidential. The punishment for Blaine: Many victims commit truth telling is excommunication. Theo Kayser is a Los Angeles Cath- a haunted, violent, vengeful adult. olic Worker community member. Yet, instead, he grew into a loving suicide. I think it is unusual to have Agitator: Does the document say husband, gentle father, compassion- survivors who have not experi- that it is a violation of the sacrament ate neighbor, loyal friend, quick wit, enced suicidal ideation, planning, of penance to make public revela- “You have been told grateful for life itself and for oppor- or attempts. This is so prevalent in tions of these things? what is good and what tunities to love others. SNAP. We have family members of Blaine: That really is not clear to the Lord requires of So then, yes. Cancer claims lives. over 300 suicide victims. A mom me, but it seems to say that abuse Despair claims lives. War claims came to our support group in Chi- happening within the context of you: Do Justice, Love lives. Street violence claims lives. cago last October; her son had taken confession is somehow worse, but Kindness, and Even so, I am part of this weary his life in September. This is just that it had to be kept quiet. Walk Humbly With world for better and for worse. one of the many cases that Church Agitator: In Los Angeles, often- I have had a few fleeting noble mo- officials just allowed to fall through times administrators could not Your God” (Mi 6:8).

6 / APRIL 2013 ON THE LINE Martin, in Sunnyvale, CA, six people, conditions, and the U.S. government’s TRANSFORM NOW TWENTY ARRESTED including Steve Kelly, SJ, Louis Vitale, unwillingness to release them though PLOWSHARES UPDATE OFM, Susan Crane, Larry Purcell, have been cleared of any terrorist As part of the annual Pacific Life Mary Jane Parrine, and Ed Ehmke. activity. Many were cleared for release A Federal Magistrate issued a second Community Faith and Resistance were arrested. over four years ago. For further info set of recommendations on March 27, Retreat, this year held from March All were cited and released except and updates as well as actions you can in response to motions by the pros- 1-4, near Tacoma, Washington, 20 Steve Kelly, who was held on a proba- take to help, see: witnesstorture.org. ecution and defense in the Transform people were arrested at the Kitsap- tion violation and a warrant. Court Also visit the LACW Website. Now Plowshares case. In the recom- Bangor Naval Base, home to the date is May 13 for everyone except mendations, the Magistrate granted largest stockpile of nuclear weapons Steve and Larry, who will be in the “DISASTER CAPITALISM” two defense requests in part: • The in the U.S. and possibly the world, in courtroom April 3. For more info government, having alleged that Greg a nonviolent direct action against the see: http://disarmnowplowshares. Boertje-Obed, 57, Sr. Megan Rice, Growing numbers of community and first-strike Trident II nuclear missile wordpress.com pro-democracy activists in Detroit are 83, and Michael Walli, 63, harmed or system. Six people were arrested for intended to harm the national defense planning a revolt against Kevyn Orr, blocking the highway leading into the GUANTANAMO PRISONERS the city’s new ‘emergency manager’ when they entered the Y12 Nuclear base, and 14 arrests were made on Weapons Complex on July 28, 2012, appointed by Republican Gov. Rick people who trespassed onto the base. As I write, it is day 51 of the Guanta- in an act of nonviolent civil resistance, For more info see the LACW website. Snyder, who began his one-person must disclose how their action harmed namo Bay prisoner hunger strike. The government on March 25. hunger strike first emerged on Febru- the national defense. • The defendants, NINE ARRESTED Called a “bloodless coup” by some, since they are charged with intend- ary 23. According to March 13 reports the appointment of an ‘emergency on Democracy Now!, over 100 of ing to harm the national defense of As part of the annual Nevada Desert financial manager’ (EFM) allows the United States, must be allowed the 166 prisoners in Guantanamo are Orr to take full control over the city’s Experience Sacred Peace Walk, held participating. According to the U.S. to testify as to their intent. However, each year during Holy Week, nine resources now that the city council and they are not allowed to speak of their military, three of the prisoners were school board have been stripped of people were arrested on March 27, on in the hospital in critical condition motive. This precludes them from “disturbing the peace” charges during their governing powers. making an argument based on neces- suffering from dehydration. The U.S. Critics say the reason for the emer- a demonstration outside Creech Air military is downplaying the serious- sity; they are denied a justification Force Base, home of the Predator and gency manager is to further gut the defense, which prohibits testimony Reaper drones, during an anti-drone ness and drastically understating the city by carving off public assets to the about nuclear weapons, faith, Interna- demonstration in Indian Springs, NV. number of prisoners involved. Many highest private bidder. What it does do tional Law, citizen responsibility under The walk, which lasts five days, prisoners now suffer severe health is force privatization of public resourc- the Nuremberg principles, and First begins in Las Vegas, makes a stop at risks from lack of sustenance, accord- es and guts the public sector union, Amendment rights. Creech Air Force Base, and ends at ing to lawyers. which hollows out the tax base and This ruling relates to the most seri- the Nevada National Security Site in As a way to force an end to the rap- causes a further downward spiral. ous of the charges against them, the Mercury, Nevada. All received a June idly expanding action, the military has The emergency manager law has sabotage charge, which carries a pen- court date. For more info see: stopped supplying water to prisoners disproportionately affected African alty of up to 25 years in prison. For http://NevadaDesertExperience.org involved and forcing them to suffer Americans, with over half of African Sr. Megan Rice, this sentence would in frigid conditions. Some prisoners Americans in Michigan now living be a life sentence. are being force-fed liquid supplements under unelected leadership. A status conference is scheduled for SIX ARRESTED through tubes inserted through their —commondreams.org April 3. Trial is scheduled for May 7. noses and into their stomachs. For more info. see: http://trans- During the Good Friday – Walking The prisoners began this hunger On The Line is compiled and formnowplowshares.wordpress.com the Way of the Cross to Lockheed strike because of seriously deteriorating edited by Mike Wisniewski.

Theo’s arraignment for a trespassing “Free Guantanamo Prisoners,” as we LACW. Her semester breaks have charge stemming from his October joined a nationwide fast in solidarity been a good time to get away from the backcountry action. After pleading with those detainees at the offshore theology classroom and learn more guilty and telling the judge he could prison who are on a two-month hunger about serving God through our hungry, not in good conscience pay any fines strike. These men have been de- homeless, and wounded sisters and imposed by the court, Theo was tained for more than a decade without brothers (see Matthew 25:31-46). ordered to self-surrender the next judicial review or any hope for release. We also were blessed for more than day to U.S. Marshals in downtown Despite promises by President Obama two weeks to have longtime friend Los Angeles for a ten-day sentence years ago to close the base, it remains Richard Nester visiting us. Richard at the Metropolitan Detention Center open with no end in sight. Dozens of teaches poetry at UC-Irvine and took a (MDC). Theo served the ten days and prisoners are at this time involved in break from Orange County life to get was released on March 6. the hunger strike. back in touch with reality at our Skid The LACW was represented this Good Friday saw our annual Anti- Row kitchen. He ended up turning our year at the annual Pacific Life Com- War Stations of the Cross. Our twist weekly “culture critique” into an open munity (PLC) retreat by Mike and Ni- on this traditional Catholic devotion mic, encouraging us to share whatever cole. This year’s PLC gathering was takes us on a tour of downtown Los writings or thoughts we had to share. THE held near Tacoma, Washington, and Angeles with stops at places most Former community members John centered around Kitsap-Bangor Naval emblematic of Christ’s continued cru- Yevtich, Katie Kelso and Ross Weav- Base, where the United States’ Pacific cifixion. This year we had a special er made brief visits in early March. fleet of trident nuclear submarines are focus on the Guantanamo prisoners. Katie and John recently wrapped up a HOUSE two and one-half year stay at the Las based. The weekend concluded with If you were unable to attend, we hope a nonviolent direct action in which 20 to see you next year! Vegas Catholic Worker and are now JOURNAL people were arrested for either block- In addition to the excitement these traveling the country with plans to end ing the road leading to or trespassing events created, we also were blessed their nationwide journey at St. Martin onto the base. with the appearance of friends, both de Porres House of Hospitality in San The past few months saw two new old and new. Francisco. Ross already lives in the The past two months have scene the bay area at Canticle Farms. He was return of warm temperatures, and old additions to our extended CW fam- Koran Benton has been with us for ily. Former L.A. Catholic Worker the past few months with intentions able to drop in for a week between jobs friends, yet the work of serving those as a long-haul trucker. It is always in need continues. Alecia Stuchlik and her husband Ed to stay through our summer program. Pilolla welcomed their first child, With prior experience in theatre and good to have old friends return for Jeff headed north for a weeklong visits to share struggles, laughs, and book tour in support of Broken and Hazel Flora Pillola, into the world on at the Mustard Seed Catholic Worker February 27. A few weeks later, baby Farm, she has been a great addition in strengthen relationships. Shared. Jeff dazzled California’s The coming months promise to be at northern neighbor with appearances Lilah was born to former community tending to our day to day procedures. member Rev. Elizabeth Griswold and In March we welcomed back Jose- least as exciting as the last were. Most across the state, including speaking importantly, be sure to mark April 14 engagements at The University of her husband Rabbi Seth Castleman phine Burns, who was wintering in on March 15. All are doing well. on your Calendar to join us at our an- Portland and Reed College. the frozen waste lands of Saskatoon. nual Catholic Worker Seder of Libera- The majority of LACW’s were in at- Holy week saw Barbara traveling to While she was glad to be back on Las Vegas to participate in the Nevada tion. Our annual celebration of God’s tendance at All Saints (Highland Park) the farm with her family for a couple liberating love cannot compare to any- Episcopal Church’s annual Mardi Gras Desert Experience (NDE) annual months because of immigration issues, Sacred Peace Walk. Each year NDE thing you have experienced in the past. party. All the money raised at this an- she burst back on to the LACW scene It is the LACW’s most fun-filled event nual fundraiser is used for the parish sponsors a hike from Las Vegas to the with an energy that is only possible Nevada Nuclear Test Site (a total of of the year. Hope to see you there, and scholarship program. This year’s Fat from one of her youth. bring a friend (or two)! Tuesday celebration was extra special more than 60 miles!) with stops along Our favorite German student, Elena Our prayer is that this spring season as long-time LACW friends, Chris the way at Creech Air Force Base and Kle, also made a 7-week return visit brings many blessings to you and those and Efron, tied the knot in marriage the Temple of Goddess Spirituality. in March and April. Everyone at the you love. earlier in the evening. The rest of the LACW community kitchen is always happy to see Elena’s Theo and Nicole traveled to Santa spent Holy Week vigiling with signs bright-smiling face as she enjoys her House Journal is written by Barbara at the end of February for calling for the U.S. government to semi-annual working vacation at the Theo Kayser.

CATHOLIC AGITATOR / 7 JOIN US FOR OUR MOST FUN-FILLED CATHOLIC EVENT OF THE YEAR CATHOLIC WORKER APRIL 2013 Vol. 43/No. 2 SEDER OF LIBERATION SISTER HOUSE NETWORK: LOS ANGELES CATHOLIC WORKER: Sunday, April 14 • 3:00 - 8:00pm http://lacatholicworker.org 1. Ammon Hennacy House of Hospitality All Saints Episcopal Church—Highland Park—5619 Monte Vista St., L.A. 90042 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA 90033-1722 (323) 267-8789 Please call 323-267-8789 to reserve a seat and sign up to bring either a salad or dessert. 2. Hospitality Kitchen 821 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 614-9615 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY 500 W. VanBuren Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 A DAY AT THE PARK (702) 647-0728 ISAIAH HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL 316 S. Cypress Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 835-6304 SADAKO SASAKI HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY 1321 W. 38th St., Norfolk, VA 23508 ASSISTANCE (757) 423-5420 During the summer we rent buses to take our homeless friends on an old-fashioned picnic. SR. PETER CLAVER HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY 430 W. Jefferson St., Philadelphia, PA 19122 However, we need your financial assistance to make this enjoyable experience a reality. (215) 232-7823 Please help with a generous donation. Thank you. Many blessings. HOUSE OF GRACE CATHOLIC WORKER 1826 E. Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 (215) 426-0364 PETER MAURIN CATHOLIC WORKER 1149 Crestwood St., San Pedro, CA 90732 (310) 831-3480 HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY KIERAN PRATHER HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY On May 1, the Catholic Worker movement will celebrate its 80th year in existence. In 1933, 672 2nd Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 827-0706 Dorothay Day and Peter Maurin began this magnificent movement of radical gospel living, BEATITUDE HOUSE choosing solidarity with the marginalized, and resistance to empire. We give God thanks 4575 9th St., Guadalupe, CA 93434 (805) 343-6322 and praise for the gift of this movement and pray that, as long as there are poor among us, ST. BENEDICT HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY the movement will have the grace to continue to comfort the afflicted and afflict the 4022 N. Cheryl Ave., Fresno, CA 93705 comfortable being the prophetic voice calling for a more just order that peace may prevail. (559) 229-6410 — [email protected] HIGH DESERT CATHOLIC WORKER P.O. Box 3157, Apple Valley, CA 92307 (760) 247-5732 - [email protected] HELP NEEDED CASA COLIBRÌ CATHOLIC WORKER Veterans for Peace, who each weekend, just north of the Santa Monica pier, set up Arlington West, a stun- http://casacolibrimx.blogspot.com ning and moving memorial for U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, desperately needs 011-52 - 386-744-5063 - [email protected] HALF MOON BAY CATHOLIC WORKER volunteers to help erect and take down the thousands of crosses and other symbols and memorabilia that re- 160 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 member and honor the dead. Please consider giving some of your time for this meaningful and momentous (650) 726-6621 - [email protected] project. See: www.arlingtonwestsantamonica.org for more info.