Sexual Abuse of Children: Ten Years of Hard-Earned Knowledge

Today we're sharing our blog space with Deacon Bernard Nojadera, a colleague who directs the U.S. bishops’ critical office that works with clergy sexual abuse of children.

With 2012, the Catholic Church looks back on a decade of learning about a problem which may be decades of centuries old: the sexual abuse of minors by those who would mentor them.

The crisis in the Church in the United States reached a head in 2002, when newspaper coverage nationwide highlighted the existence of this horrific crime and moral travesty. We now know that others, including some sports organizations and other groups where adults mentor youth, have yet to confront this crisis within their own ranks.

In the United States, the Catholic Church adopted a plan to address the issue, called the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It has spent billions of dollars on settlements, safe environment education, and background checks to do all it can to prevent the abuse of children in its care. We have come to some understanding of how to address the problem, gaining knowledge that can benefit more than the Catholic Church.

Some of what we’ve learned:

• The guiding principle when confronting child sexual abuse is to remember that it is most of all about the person who was abused. It is not about the offender, the institution, or anyone’s reputation. It is about helping a child.

• People can learn. In the ten years since establishment of the Charter we have moved from disbelief to action. We have learned that what once seemed unbelievable is, unfortunately, credible and must be faced. Training, reference checks, and background evaluations now are a normal part of parish life to keep children safe. We recommend these steps for all who deal with youth.

• Sexual abuse of a minor is a sickness that can be contained through vigilance but will not disappear. Incidents of sexual abuse are still occurring in the one place that ought to be the safest place. We cannot let our guard down. The work is not finished.

• Critical situations impel people and institutions to change. We have seen the culture of our parishes and schools evolve. People now accept that child sexual abuse exists and are willing to help stop it from occurring. They no longer assume someone else will take care of it.

• Child sexual abuse is a reality society must confront. No institution is immune from it. Learning to respond to the victim of abuse is the first job of any institution, community or family.

• The court of public opinion holds institutional leaders to a high standard. Leaders who forgo an immediate and appropriate response to abuse of a child do so at their own peril. There is hardly any other issue which evokes such intolerance as not acting in the face of child sexual abuse.

• Parents are willing to step up and make sure parishes and schools are following policies and procedures to protect children. With this critical issue, few people reply, “I just don’t have time to get involved.”

• The task of protecting children can be shared. Clergy, employees, volunteers, parents, and teachers realize that bystanders can be their allies in protecting children.

• Child sexual abuse is a hard topic to discuss, but training adults to protect children has given the topic a forum where the uncomfortable reality can be discussed.

• Victims of child sexual abuse can heal and live productive lives. Steps that help bring them toward healing include seriously listening to their stories and expressing profound sorrow for what they have endured. As awful as the experience has been for a person, there is hope, a gift of grace from a loving God.

The Christmas Welcome Mat

The welcome mat is out at Catholic churches across the country. Actually it's always out, but churches tend to emphasize their open arms and doors during Advent and Christmas and later on in Lent and at Easter.

Why now?

There's something in the season that makes you think of home – including the spiritual home some are too busy to visit throughout the year. The message of the Prince of Peace, the carols learned in childhood, the large-as-life crèches, and the overflowing poinsettias have a way of warming even a cold heart.

The options are many.

For a sense of building excitement, some go to the children's Mass, usually on December 24, in late afternoon. Being with the preschoolers can be a trip back to one's own childhood. If the pastor is a creative liturgist, it can be a breathtaking experience. Some years ago my family had the experience of St. Vincent's DePaul Church in Albany, New York. The church was filled with children in rapt attention as Father O’Brien read the Gospel. Then, when he spoke of the birth of Jesus, little white lights on the tree near the manger in the sanctuary came on. There was an audible gasp from young and old alike, breathlessness worthy of the birth of Jesus.

Midnight Mass, especially when it's at 10 p.m. or earlier for oldsters like me, is often preceded by carols about the Little Town of Bethlehem, the Holy Night, and Angels Heard on High. The effect is calming, especially after a day wrapping, shopping for the last gift, or making goodies for Christmas Day. People are just a little more pleasant, some sporting new Christmas ties and sweaters, to indicate that the celebration of the Savior's birth has begun. There is a sense of community in the air that lasts even in the overcrowded parking lot.

Both liturgies are popular so regulars who plan to attend know to get there early enough to get into the church parking lot or find street parking within quarter mile. I've occasionally cheated and had someone save me a seat— though it takes some nerve to walk past the standers when you arrive just 10 minutes before Mass.

Occasionally I've gone to Mass in nursing homes and rehab centers, and Mass is crowded there too as people seek to share a special moment with sick and dying friends and family. You'd think this would be sad, but it is not. The holiness of the evening or morning overshadows pain and weakness, especially when families are together celebrating the Holy Family in Bethlehem.

The Mass is special, a statement of the community drawn together by something and Someone larger than itself. The pageantry of Christmas reminds us that Mass is not a routine event, that it holds special meaning. It reminds us of good values we have, such as trust in another, the unseen yet ever-present God; the awareness that power is made perfect in the helplessness of an infant who can hold us captive in the wonderment of new life; and the joy of being with others who share our spiritual roots. We may have forgotten but the baby brings them to mind.

It's worth the crowded parking lot or even standing in the back. Like grandparents’ special cake, or Mom and Dad’s stocking-bedecked mantel, the church that beckons people to come home for Christmas puts out the best – scents, decorations, and especially the Eucharistic food – for her loved ones.

Estas son las Mañanitas...de los obispos hispanos

Los obispos hispanos/latinos de Estados Unidos nos saludaron temprano hoy, día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, con su propia versión muy especial de las mañanitas: una carta abierta a los inmigrantes. La carta está firmada por 33 obispos y fue publicada simultáneamente desde Los Angeles y San Antonio, sede de los dos arzobispos hispanos de más alto rango.

El texto completo de la carta con la lista de obispos que la firman se reproduce a continuación.

CARTA DE LOS OBISPOS HISPANOS/LATINOS A LOS INMIGRANTES

Muy estimados hermanas y hermanos inmigrantes,

¡Que la paz y la gracia de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo estén con todos ustedes!

Nosotros los obispos hispanos/latinos de Estados Unidos abajo firmantes les hacemos saber a quienes se encuentran en nuestro país sin papeles que no están solos ni olvidados. Reconocemos que todo ser humano, documentado o no, es imagen de Dios y por lo tanto tiene un valor y dignidad infinitos. Les abrimos nuestros brazos y nuestro corazón y los recibimos como miembros de nuestra familia católica. Como pastores, les dirigimos estas palabras desde lo más profundo de nuestro corazón.

De una manera muy especial queremos agradecerles los valores cristianos que nos demuestran con su vida – el sacrificio por el bien de sus familias, la determinación y perseverancia, el gozo de vivir, su profunda fe y su fidelidad a pesar de la inseguridad y tantas dificultades. Ustedes contribuyen mucho al bienestar de nuestra nación en el ámbito económico, cultural y espiritual.

La crisis económica ha impactado a toda la comunidad estadounidense. Lamentablemente, algunos aprovechan este ambiente de incertidumbre para despreciar al migrante y aun culparlo por esta crisis. Sembrar el odio no nos lleva a remediar la crisis. Encontraremos el remedio en la solidaridad entre todos los trabajadores y colaboradores—inmigrantes y ciudadanos—que conviven en los Estados Unidos.

En sus rostros sufrientes vemos el rostro verdadero de Jesucristo. Sabemos muy bien el gran sacrificio que hacen por el bien de sus familias. Muchos de ustedes hacen los trabajos más difíciles, con sueldos miserables y sin seguro de salud o prestaciones salariales o sociales. A pesar de sus contribuciones al bienestar de nuestro país, en lugar de ofrecerles gratitud, se les trata como criminales porque han violado la ley de inmigración actual.

Estamos también muy conscientes del dolor de las familias que han sufrido la deportación de alguno de sus miembros; de la frustración de los jóvenes que han crecido en este país y cuyos sueños son truncados por su estatus migratorio; de la ansiedad de aquellos que están en espera de la aprobación de su petición de residencia permanente; y de la angustia de quienes viven cada día bajo la amenaza de ser deportados. Todas estas situaciones claman a Dios por una solución digna y humana.

Reconocemos que en ocasión las acciones tomadas con respecto a los inmigrantes les ha llevado a sentirse ignorados y abandonados, incluyendo cuando no se han escuchado voces que se levanten ante las falsedades que se promueven dentro de nuestra sociedad. Por medio de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) hemos abogado ante el Congreso estadounidense por un cambio a la ley de inmigración que respete la unidad de la familia, e incluya pasos ordenados y razonables para que personas sin documentos puedan obtener la ciudadanía. La nueva ley deberá incluir un programa de visas para trabajadores que respete los derechos humanos de los inmigrantes, les provea las necesidades básicas para vivir y facilite su ingreso a nuestro país para trabajar en un ambiente seguro y ordenado. Así mismo, continuamos abogando por la justicia económica global que facilite el empleo de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en su tierra de origen y les provea lo suficiente para vivir con dignidad.

El pueblo inmigrante es una fuerza revitalizadora para el país. La falta de una reforma migratoria justa, humana y eficaz debilita el bien común de toda la unión americana.

Nos duele y nos apena que muchos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas católicos no hayan apoyado nuestras peticiones por un cambio a la ley de inmigración que proteja sus derechos, mientras ustedes contribuyen con su trabajo a nuestro país. Les prometemos que seguiremos trabajando para obtener este cambio. Conocemos lo difícil que es el camino para llegar y para entrar a Estados Unidos. Por eso estamos comprometidos a hacer lo que podamos para lograr un cambio de ley que les permita entrar y vivir en este país legalmente, y no se vean ustedes obligados a emprender un camino peligroso para proveer a sus familias. Como pastores que se preocupan por el bienestar de todos ustedes, les debemos decir que consideren seriamente si es aconsejable emprender su camino hacia acá antes de que se logre un cambio justo y humano en las leyes de inmigración.

Sin embargo, no vamos a esperar hasta que cambie la ley para darles la bienvenida en nuestras iglesias a los que ya están aquí, ya que San Pablo nos dice, “Ustedes ya no son extranjeros ni huéspedes, sino conciudadanos de los que forman el pueblo de Dios; son familia de Dios” (Ef. 2:19).

Como miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo que es la Iglesia, les ofrecemos alimento espiritual. Siéntanse bienvenidos a la Santa Misa, la Eucaristía que nos alimenta con la palabra y con el cuerpo y la sangre de Jesús. Les ofrecemos programas de catequesis para sus hijos, y los programas de formación que nuestros esfuerzos diocesanos nos permiten poner a su alcance.

Los ciudadanos y residentes permanentes de este país no podemos olvidar que casi todos, nosotros o nuestros antepasados, hemos venido de otras tierras, y juntos con inmigrantes de varias naciones y culturas hemos formado una nueva nación. Ahora debemos abrirles el corazón y los brazos a los recién llegados, como nos lo pide Jesús cuando nos dice, “Tuve hambre y ustedes me alimentaron; tuve sed y ustedes me dieron de beber; pasé como forastero y ustedes me recibieron en su casa” (Mt 25:35). Estas palabras del Señor Jesús se pueden aplicar a los inmigrantes entre nosotros. Tuvieron hambre en su tierra de origen, tuvieron sed al pasar por el desierto, y se encuentran entre nosotros como forasteros (ver Daniel G. Groody, CSC, “Crossing the Line,” The Way, Vol. 43, No.2, abril 2004, p.58-69). Su presencia nos invita a ser más valientes en la denuncia de las injusticias que sufren. A imitación de Jesús y de los grandes

profetas, debemos denunciar las fuerzas que los oprimen, y anunciar la buena nueva del Reino con nuestras obras de caridad. Oremos y luchemos para que estos hermanos y hermanas nuestras tengan las mismas oportunidades de las cuales nosotros nos hemos beneficiado.

Vemos en ustedes migrantes a Jesús peregrino. La Palabra de Dios migró del cielo a la tierra para hacerse hombre y salvar a la humanidad. Jesús emigró con María y José a Egipto, como refugiado. Migró de Galilea a Jerusalén para el sacrificio de la Cruz, y finalmente emigró de la muerte a la resurrección y ascendió al cielo. Hoy día, sigue caminando y acompañando a todos los migrantes que peregrinan por el mundo en búsqueda de alimento, trabajo, dignidad, seguridad y oportunidades para el bien de sus familias.

Ustedes nos revelan la realidad suprema de la vida: todos somos migrantes. Su migración es un fuerte y claro mensaje de que todos somos migrantes hacia la vida eterna. Jesús nos acompaña a todos los cristianos en nuestro peregrinar hacia la casa del Padre, el reino de Dios en el cielo (Ver Tertio Millennio Adveniente No. 50).

Les rogamos que no se desesperen. Mantengan su fe en Jesús migrante que sigue caminando con ustedes, y en la Santísima Virgen de Guadalupe que constantemente nos repite las palabras dichas a san Juan Diego, “¿No estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre?” Ella nunca nos abandona, ni nos abandona san José quien nos protege como lo hizo con la Sagrada Familia durante su emigración a Egipto.

Como pastores queremos seguir abogando por todos los inmigrantes. Con san Pablo les repetimos: “No se dejen vencer por el mal; antes bien, venzan el mal con la fuerza del bien” (Rom. 12:21).

Que Dios todopoderoso, Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo los acompañe y los bendiga siempre.

Sinceramente en Cristo Salvador,

Los Obispos Hispanos/Latinos de Estados Unidos

Most Rev. José H. Gómez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, Archbishop of San Antonio

Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes, Bishop of San Bernardino

Most Rev. Alvaro Corrada del Rio, SJ, Apostolic Administrator of Tyler

Bishop of Mayaguez, PR

Most Rev. Felipe de Jesús Estevez, Bishop of St. Augustine
Most Rev. Richard J. García, Bishop of Monterey
Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Apostolic Administrator of El Paso
Bishop-designate of Fresno
Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, Bishop of Lubbock
Most Rev. James A. Tamayo, Bishop of Laredo
Most Rev. Raymundo J. Peña, Bishop Emeritus of Brownsville
Most Rev. Arthur Tafoya, Bishop Emeritus of Pueblo
Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville
Most Rev. Fernando Isern, D.D., Bishop of Pueblo
Most Rev. Ricardo Ramírez, Bishop of Las Cruces
Most Rev. Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento
Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin
Most Rev. Carlos A. Sevilla, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Yakima
Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, S.T.D., Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio
Most Rev. Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Manuel A. Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark
Most Rev. Rutilio del Riego, Auxiliary Bishop of San Bernardino
Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle
Most Rev. Francisco González , S.F., Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, DC
Most Rev. Eduardo A. Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. Alexander Salazar, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
Most Rev. David Arias, OAR, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Newark
Most Rev. Octavio Cisneros, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn
Most. Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, SDV, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark
Most Rev. Cirilo B. Flores, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange,
Most Rev. Josu Iriondo, Auxiliary Bishop of New York,
Most Rev. Alberto Rojas, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
Most Rev. Luis Rafael Zarama, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Most Rev. Gabino Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Diciembre 12, 2011

Estas son las Mañanitas...of the Hispanic Bishops

The Hispanic/Latino Bishops of the United States greeted us early today, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with their own very special version of the "Mañanitas," a letter to immigrants. Signed by 33 bishops, the letter was released simultaneously from Los Angeles and San Antonio, the sees of the two highest ranking Hispanic archbishops.

The full text of the letter along with the signatories is reproduced below.

LETTER OF THE HISPANIC/LATINO BISHOPS TO IMMIGRANTS

Dear immigrant sisters and brothers,

May the peace and grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you!

We the undersigned Hispanic/Latino Bishops of the United States wish to let those of you who lack proper authorization to live and work in our country know that you are not alone, or forgotten. We recognize that every human being, authorized or not, is an image of God and therefore possesses infinite value and dignity. We open our arms and hearts to you, and we receive you as members of our Catholic family. As pastors, we direct these words to you from the depths of our heart.

In a very special way we want to thank you for the Christian values you manifest to us with your lives—your sacrifice for the well-being of your families, your determination and perseverance, your joy of life, your profound faith and fidelity despite your insecurity and many difficulties. You contribute much to the welfare of our nation in the economic, cultural and spiritual arenas.

The economic crisis has had an impact on the entire U.S. community. Regretfully, some in reaction to this environment of uncertainty show disdain for immigrants and even blame them for the crisis. We will not find a solution to our problems by sowing hatred. We will find the solution by sowing a sense of solidarity among all workers and co-workers —immigrants and citizens—who live together in the United States.

In your suffering faces we see the true face of Jesus Christ. We are well aware of the great sacrifice you make for your families’ well-being. Many of you perform the most difficult jobs and receive miserable salaries and no health insurance or social security. Despite your contributions to the well-being of our country, instead of receiving our thanks, you are often treated as criminals because you have violated current immigration laws.

We are also very aware of the pain suffered by those families who have experienced the deportation of one of their members. We are conscious of the frustration of youth and young adults who have grown up in this country and whose dreams are shattered because they lack legal immigration status. We also know of the anxiety of those whose application process for permanent residency is close to completion and of the anguish of those who live daily under the threat of deportation. This situation cries out to God for a worthy and humane solution.

We acknowledge that, at times, actions taken in regard to immigrants have made you feel ignored or abandoned, especially when no objection is raised to the false impressions that are promoted within our society. Through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops we have testified before the U.S. Congress for change in our immigration laws and for legislation that respects family unity and provides an orderly and reasonable process for unauthorized persons to attain citizenship. The new law should include a program for worker visas that respects the immigrants’ human rights, provides for their basic needs and ensures that they enter our country and work in a safe and orderly manner. We will also continue to advocate on behalf of global economic justice, so that our brothers and sisters can find employment opportunities in their countries of origin that offer a living wage, and allow them to live with dignity.

Immigrants are a revitalizing force for our country. The lack of a just, humane and effective reform of immigration laws negatively affects the common good of the entire United States.

It pains and saddens us that many of our Catholic brothers and sisters have not supported our petitions for changes in the immigration law that will protect your basic rights while you contribute your hard work to our country. We promise to keep working to bring about this change. We know how difficult the journey is to reach the border and to enter the United States. That is why we are committed to do all that we can to bring about a change in the immigration law, so that you can enter and remain here legally and not feel compelled to undertake a dangerous journey in order to support and provide for your families. As pastors concerned for your welfare, we ask you to consider seriously whether it is advisable to undertake the journey here until after just and humane changes occur in our immigration laws.

Nevertheless, we are not going to wait until the law changes to welcome you who are already here into our churches, for as St. Paul tells us, “You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors; you are fellow-citizens with the holy people of God and part of God’s household” (Eph 2:19).

As members of the Body of Christ which is the Church, we offer you spiritual nourishment. Feel welcome to Holy Mass, the Eucharist, which nourishes us with the word and the body and blood of Jesus. We offer you catechetical programs for your children and those religious education programs that our diocesan resources allow us to put at your disposal.

We who are citizens and permanent residents of this country cannot forget that almost all of us, we or our ancestors, have come from other lands and together with immigrants from various nations and cultures, have formed a new nation. Now we ought to open our hearts and arms to the recently arrived, just as Jesus asks us to do when he says, “I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was an alien and you took me into your house” (Mt 25:35). These words of the Lord Jesus can be applied to the new immigrants among us. They were hungry in their land of origin; they were thirsty as they traveled through the deserts, and they find themselves among us as aliens. (See Daniel G. Groody, CSC, “Crossing the Line,” in The Way, Vol. 43,, No. 2, April 2004, p. 58-69). Their presence challenges us to be more courageous in denouncing the injustices they suffer. In imitation of Jesus and the great prophets we ought to denounce the forces that oppress them and announce the good news of the Kingdom with our works of charity. Let us pray and struggle to make it possible for these brothers and sisters of ours to have the same opportunities from which we have benefited.

We see Jesus the pilgrim in you migrants. The Word of God migrated from heaven to earth in order to become man and save humanity. Jesus emigrated with Mary and Joseph to Egypt, as a refugee. He migrated from Galilee to Jerusalem for the sacrifice of the cross, and finally he emigrated from death to life in the resurrection and ascension to heaven. Today, he continues to journey and accompany all migrants on pilgrimage throughout the world in search of food, work, dignity, security and opportunities for the welfare of their families.

You reveal to us the supreme reality of life: we are all migrants. Your migration gives a strong and clear message that we are migrants on the way to eternal life. Jesus accompanies all Christians on our journey toward the house of our Father, God’s Kingdom in heaven. (See Pope John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, No. 50.)

We urge you not to despair. Keep faith in Jesus the migrant who continues to walk beside you. Have faith in Our Lady of Guadalupe who constantly repeats to us the words she spoke to St. Juan Diego, “Am I, who am your mother, not here?” She never abandons us, nor does St. Joseph who protects us as he did the Holy Family during their emigration to Egypt.

As pastors we want to continue to do advocacy for all immigrants. With St. Paul we say to you: “Do not be mastered by evil; but master evil with good.” (Rm 12:21).

May Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, accompany you and bless you always.

Sincerely in Christ our Savior,

The Hispanic/Latino Bishops of the United States

Most Rev. José H. Gómez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, Archbishop of San Antonio

Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes, Bishop of San Bernardino

Most Rev. Alvaro Corrada del Rio, SJ, Apostolic Administrator of Tyler

Bishop of Mayaguez, PR

Most Rev. Felipe de Jesús Estevez, Bishop of St. Augustine
Most Rev. Richard J. García, Bishop of Monterey
Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Apostolic Administrator of El Paso
Bishop-designate of Fresno
Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, Bishop of Lubbock
Most Rev. James A. Tamayo, Bishop of Laredo
Most Rev. Raymundo J. Peña, Bishop Emeritus of Brownsville
Most Rev. Arthur Tafoya, Bishop Emeritus of Pueblo
Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville
Most Rev. Fernando Isern, D.D., Bishop of Pueblo
Most Rev. Ricardo Ramírez, Bishop of Las Cruces
Most Rev. Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento
Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin
Most Rev. Carlos A. Sevilla, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Yakima
Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, S.T.D., Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio
Most Rev. Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Manuel A. Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark
Most Rev. Rutilio del Riego, Auxiliary Bishop of San Bernardino
Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle
Most Rev. Francisco González , S.F., Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
Most Rev. Eduardo A. Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. Alexander Salazar, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
Most Rev. David Arias, OAR, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Newark
Most Rev. Octavio Cisneros, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn
Most. Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, SDV, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark
Most Rev. Cirilo B. Flores, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange
Most Rev. Josu Iriondo, Auxiliary Bishop of New York
Most Rev. Alberto Rojas, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
Most Rev. Luis Rafael Zarama, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Most Rev. Gabino Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, 2011

HHS Protects Kids in Vetoing FDA Plan B Decision

Health and Human Services (HHS) acted to protect kids Dec. 7 when HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius rejected a recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to let stores sell powerful hormonal drugs to children over the counter.

Promoters of contraceptives immediately criticized this decision about Plan B-One Step, a morning-after pill and mega-dose of contraceptives, and by definition pretty strong medicine. To their mind, anything that curtails the maximum distribution of contraceptive even to minor children use must be wrong, common sense aside. The FDA wanted the medicine available over-the-counter to anyone who could get pregnant, which would include pre-teens. There seems to be no consideration that a medicine designed for adult women can have a completely different effect on a child. For example, adult anti-depressants and psychotropic drugs that may help adults with depression are known to create suicidal thoughts in teens.

The FDA plan was the Teva pharmaceutical company’s dream – their pills, which were not selling well as a prescription drug, would now be right up there on the shelf with meds for childhood illnesses like the common cold.

It is hard to imagine that any parent or teacher who ever has known an 11-year-old could disagree with the HHS decision. That’s true regardless of one’s view on the morality of contraception or one’s level of concern about the prospect that some of these drugs can serve as abortifacients. The Catholic Church has serious concerns about contraceptive use and doesn’t think Plan B is good for anybody, no secret there. But you don’t have to be a supporter of the church’s position to know that pushing Plan B to kids is wrong on many levels.

Childhood is a time of immaturity and making mistakes, but adults usually try to see that youthful missteps do not become fatal ones. There are 10-year-olds who can drive, but only the foolhardy would advocate their doing so. Such choices just don’t belong to children.

One would think that permitting kids to use their birthday money to buy meds without their parents’ or guardians’ knowledge would be beyond the pale. Clearly if a child is scared enough after having sex to worry about pregnancy, she also might be scared enough not to read the instructions on the box or the list of problems which might arise. In a child’s mind, if taking one pill might make the problem go away, taking two would be even better, and three would virtually guarantee the results being sought. Panicky kids also are apt to ignore the instructions about side effects, such as nausea, pain and bleeding, and the recommendation to contact a doctor if side effects occur.

Children also might miss the fact that if Plan B reduces chances of getting pregnant, it doesn’t wipe them out. The young, who can see themselves invulnerable, certainly can be easily misled into thinking Plan B is a free pass when engaging in risky behavior. Misinformation can have long-term consequences in this instance.

Teen pregnancy is a serious social problem but it is not one addressed by leading kids to think they can engage in “safe sex.” There is no such thing as safe sex for children. Plan B’s manufacturer admits its product does not prevent other serious problems such as AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases that come with irresponsible sexual activity. Would an anxiety-ridden child take time to read such a disclaimer? Would they have read the recent report in The New York Times that these drugs can actually increase the risk of contracting AIDS?

The move by Sebelius may be one of a mother who remembers when her children were 11. President Obama, father of teen and pre-teen daughters, referred to them when he defended Sibelius’s decision to media. There’s nothing like real experience to drive a message home.

After she announced her veto Sebelius was criticized for making a political decision which might please the Catholic vote. This decision would be more apt to please the parent and grandparent vote. People with pre-adolescent and adolescent children probably hope their offspring are not sexually active. They certainly hope they aren’t secretly self-medicating with anything as serious as Plan B.