On this Page we will honor people who we feel
have been of Outstanding Service to the Survivor Cause, nationally or
within their communities.
It's our small way to say a very big Thank You!
Third Hall of Fame Honorary -
DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) -- The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Dublin published a report Wednesday that says 102 of its priests -- more than 3.5 percent of the total -- are suspected of sexually or physically abusing at least 350 children since 1940, the biggest such admission to date in Ireland.
The office of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said it was publishing its findings ahead of the expected formation later this month of a government-appointed commission to investigate the history and handling of such abuse throughout Ireland. This predominantly Catholic nation has been rocked by waves of church sex-abuse scandals since 1994.
The office said the numbers were based on a two-year review of the personnel files of more than 2,800 priests who have worked in the Dublin archdiocese, either as parish priests or in religious orders, during the past 66 years.
According to the report, eight Dublin-assigned priests have received criminal convictions for abuse charges, while 32 priests have been sued for damages by 105 victims at a cost to the archdiocese of 5.8 million euros ($7 million), including 1.7 million euros ($2.05 million) in both sides' legal bills.
But it said costs were expected to go much higher because 40 cases remained unsettled, while church authorities had positively identified at least 350 abuse victims and "a possible further 40 persons who may have been abused but who it is not yet possible to identify or trace."
Martin, a veteran Vatican diplomat who was appointed here in 2003, said he thought the archdiocese would have to sell off some of its properties to cover the mounting compensation bill -- but said it was a necessary sacrifice to put right past wrongs, as much as was possible.
"It's very frightening for me to see that in some of these cases, so many children were abused. It's very hard to weigh that up against anything," Martin said. "On the other hand, I know that the vast majority of priests don't abuse, that they do good work, that they're extremely upset and offended by what's happened."
We thank the good Archbiship Diarmuid Martin for clarifying, within the Church,
what has saddened so many of us who love the Catholic Church but abhor the actions of those
priests who have hindered Christ's command "Let the little children come to me". For many, even
through the abuse, it was the gentle hand of God that, for some of us, gave the gifts to overcome the shame and pain
of sexual abuse. It reminds me of a poem, written many years ago, by a child who felt she didn't know
where to turn. And her God never abandoned her despite any trials or tribulations that life brought forth:
"Just a little girl,
with little cares.
A tiny heart, and broken prayers.
With humble tears,
amid swollen eyes.
A prayer to God, to protect and guide.
A little desire,
To be fulfilled,
If it be so, it was God's will. Amen."
Our Second Hall of Fame Honoree - Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
January 12, 2006
We wish to honor Bishop Gumbleton for the courage to say that he too was
a victim of sexual abuse. When a Bishop can stand up and break the bonds of secrecy he brings with him
many who cannot yet speak up for themselves. Thank you Bishop Gumbleton for making the path
of those who walk behind you in their recovery an easier one to tread.
From the bottom of our heart, we thank you.
First Asarian-International Org Honorary Hall of Fame Recipient
In Memorium - Edith Efremov
"True ladies are born, not made. Edith was, in the truest sense,
a lady." - Panther
I visited Andy, my partner, for Christmas vacation, December 2000. He and I were
enthusiastically laying the foundations for our dream to start Asarian-International
Org as an international effort to help sexual abuse survivors. Although Edith and I
had spoken on the phone fairly often, it was the first opportunity she and I had to
meet face to face. She was soft spoken, her determined nature readily shone through
her eyes as did her subtle humor. I loved her from the first hug she gave me. Sadly,
we learned during that vacation that the doctor's had only given her a few months
to live.
I believe we are fortunate if within our whole lifetime we find 5 true friends
whose closeness cannot be erased with time. For some reason, often unknown to us,
a special bond forms and it is a true gift. It doesn't announce itself with a
trumpet blast, no fanfare announces it's coming. It is simply there, unbidden,
unannounced, like breathing and almost unperceivable gentle breezes. I found one
such friend in Andy, and through him, another in his mother, Edith.
I still miss Edith. She was a mother to me, she was a sister to me, and she was
a best friend. During the year prior to her death we were able to share our
moments of frustration, moments of fear, moments of reverie, moments of joy and
thankfully many moments of laughter amid the moments of tears.
Andy and I often shared with her our visions of what Asarian-International Org
would be. She listened intently and shared emotional encouragement as we slowly
worked on plans to start our server; we valued her opinion and input and she
valued our enthusiasm. She cared deeply about survivors, their trials and
tribulations, their will to survive despite all odds. Although her body has
left us, that spiritual part of her that goes on through eternity will always
stay close to our endeavors to help survivors though their journeys to recovery.
We honor Edith Efremov as our first honorary to the Asarian-International Org
Hall of Fame.
Noel Clark, in loving memory of a very special Lady
