Parishioners support, but Florida has 2 sex-abuse bishops; Boston $15m more for Geoghan

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CNS) -- In the midst of sex-abuse scandals within the Church, a number of Catholics have rallied to show their support for parish priests in Palm Beach, Boston and other dioceses.
Just days after Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell of Palm Beach submitted his resignation March 8 for sexual misconduct, priests in the diocese were left with the difficult task of addressing parishioners for the second time in four years with the news that once again a Palm Beach bishop had been accused of sexual misconduct.
Bishop O'Connell's predecessor, Bishop J. Keith Symons, resigned after allegations against him surfaced in 1998.
For the weekend Masses March 9-10, Father Michael Edwards, pastor of St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, told parishioners that he did not know what to say except to urge them to pray for Bishop O'Connell, for the victims of violence and abuse, and for all priests.
Father John Kasparek, pastor of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, told parishioners to remember that Bishop O'Connell is a human being who has admitted his sinfulness and human frailty and had apologised to his victims.
"The announcement has stirred up many different emotions and opinions in each of us," he said. "This is very normal for us to react in many different ways. It is also important for us as individuals and as a Church to talk about things like this. Talking with each other helps us to gain a better perspective."
After speaking, the congregation applauded Father Kasparek and offered their support following the Mass.
Parishioner Tim Swilley noted that "because this is the second time that this has happened to us in the diocese it has had a greater impact on us.
"But like the last time, we will get through this and will be a more unified community."

[PICTURE of smiling white-haired man , two smiling women with head coverings, and others.]
Cardinal Bernard F. Law greets supporters outside his residence in Boston March 2. In a settlement announced March 12, the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to pay between $15 million and $30 million to 86 plaintiffs in the case of now-defrocked priest John J. Geoghan. Photo: Stacie N. Glalang/ The Post

He told the Florida Catholic diocesan newspaper that Bishop O'Connell "made a terrible mistake but he is only one person and most of the priests are wonderful, hard-working, dedicated holy men.
"This revelation about the bishop is not going to change my perception at all."
Many Catholics in Massachussets expressed similar sentiments in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Boston Archdiocese.
"We are a brotherhood of priests," said Father Richard P. Lewandowski, pastor of St. Camillus de Lellis Parish in Fitchburg, Mass., who has started a grassroots effort to show support for Boston's archdiocesan priests.
"Many priests in the Boston Archdiocese have a feeling of helplessness now," he said. "We have to let them know they are not alone," he told the Catholic Free Press, newspaper of the Worcester Diocese.
Father Lewandowski has placed copies of a letter of encouragement and support, along with clipboards, in the vestibule of his church. After one weekend, the letter included 12 full pages of signatures.
The letters are being sent to Father Paul Kilroy, pastor of St. Ann parish in Boston, who is meeting regularly with pastors in the archdiocese in light of recent scandals.
Father Lewandowski also designed a poster with a similar message of support.
The poster was signed in early March by Worcester Bishop Daniel P. Reilly.
"I believe if we can have Catholic solidarity, we can weather this storm," the Worcester priest said.

Parishioners support, but Florida has two sex-abuse bishops in a row; Boston $15m to $30m more for Geoghan abuse