Many individuals and the Catholic community at large continue to suffer the devastating consequences of the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by priests and other church personnel. 
    We continue to grieve and to pray for the victims of this abuse, for their families, and for all who have been injured or hurt by what St. Pope John Paul II called "an appalling sin in the eyes of God.  As Pope Francis has written, the scandal of sexual abuse in the Church "is an absolute monstrosity, a horrible sin, radically against everything that Christ has taught us."
    The pastors and pastoral staff members of the Waterloo parishes are available to visit with anyone, including victims and family members, who wish to discuss any aspect of the abuse scandal in a private and confidential way.

What You Can Do If You Are Aware of
Sexual Abuse by Church Personnel

     If you or someone you know is currently or has been the victim of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, or another person representing the Catholic Church you may visit with your pastor or a member of the pastoral staff in your parish.  Pastors and parish staff are required to report current or recent abuse to the appropriate legal authorities.  Cases in which the statute of limitations has expired or in which the abuser has died are normally reported to the appropriate Archdiocesan authorities but do not necessarily have to be reported to legal authorities unless the victim wishes to do so.

    If you or someone you know is has been the victim of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, or another person representing the Catholic Church the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recommends that you take one of the following actions:

• If you believe someone is in imminent danger or this is a situation of current abuse involving a minor
   call 911.
• Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the abuse occurred.
• Contact the Iowa Child Abuse Reporting Hotline at 800-362-2178, a local child protection agency like
   Riverview Center, or a private attorney.
• Contact the professional Victim Assistance Coordinator who is under contract to provide services to
    the Archdiocese but is not an employee of the Church at 563-584-3000.
• To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop consult the
    Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service website.

In the Archdiocese of Dubuque, a professional Victim Assistance Coordinator receives reports of abuse, helps victims contact civil authorities, and provides referrals for spiritual care, mental health services, social services, and support groups. To facilitate immediate attention, indicate that you are calling about abuse by a church employee in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Archdiocese of Dubuque Victims Assistance Coordinator
Dr. Thomas Ottavi (563-584-3000)

If the abuse occurred in another diocese, contact the Victims Assistance Coordinator(s) in that diocese.  A list of Victims Assistance Coordinators in other dioceses is available here.

More Resources for Victims
• U.S. Bishops' Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection
• Archdiocese of Dubuque/Office for the Protection of Children
• Hope and Healing Ministries
• Committed to Freedom Ministries
• Mary's Hope Workshops
• Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

What You Can Do If You Are a Catholic
Who Is Confused, Troubled or Angry

   Many Catholics are confused, troubled, angry or disillusioned by the sexual abuse problem in the Catholic Church.  For many it has caused a crisis of faith; for others, a crisis of confidence in the Church or Church leaders.

Here is a list of suggestions to help individuals cope with the personal or spiritual concerns raised by the sexual abuse scandal in the Church:
• Be honest about your own feelings; do not be embarrassed to admit your own anger or disgust. 
   Loving the Church does not mean excusing or ignoring its faults.
• Pray and fast for healing for victims of sexual abuse and their families.
• If you personally know a victim, reach out to them with loving kindness so that they will experience
   God's loving kindness through you. If they have not reported the abuse to the appropriate
   authorities, encourage them to do so.
• Remind yourself that faith is based on Jesus Christ, not the credibility or deeds of fallible human
   beings.  No human person or scandal should be able to separate us from the love of God
   encountered in the Eucharist and the community of disciples gathered around the table.
• Take time to reflect more carefully on the teachings of the Catholic faith, using the U.S. Catholic
   Catechism for Adults or other good resources. This will help you remember that our faith is based
   on Someone more perfect than sinful human beings.
• Make an effort to become a more authentic and holy person. Greater holiness is always the
   foundation for renewal in the Church.
• Schedule a renewal or retreat day for yourself, and listen more closely to God's message of
   encouragement and consolation.
• Pray for the ability to forgive anyone connected to the sexual abuse scandal while holding them
   responsible for their actions.
• Pray for the grace to have what St. Ignatius called holy detachment -- the ability to distinguish
   between what is essential and what is not.
• Make an effort to improve attitudes, enhance relationships and build community among lay people,
   religious, priests and bishops that will lead to greater responsibility, accountability and transparency
   in the Church.
• Be more attentive and loving to family, friends, and your local community of faith; be proactive in
   recognizing and preventing physical or sexual abuse of children and youth.
• Turn to the forms of prayer which are most beneficial to you, and make a concrete commitment to a
   time for daily prayer.
• Reflect on the real presence of Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, present in the People of God
   gathered around the table.
• Reflect regularly on Matthew 16:13-30, and your personal answer to Jesus' question: "Who do you
   say that I am?"
• Read how other Catholics are coping with the challenge of understanding sexual abuse in the
   church here.

Learn More
• Simple Steps for Processing Your Feelings

Related Links
• How the Sexual Abuse Crisis is Being Addressed
• Reflections on the Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church
• Links to Reflections and Commentary on Sex Abuse in the Church
• Prayers for Healing
• What to Do If Your Priest Is Accused
• How to Talk With Children About the Church's Sex Abuse Crisis
• Parent Guide--What You Should Know About Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse
• Parent's Guide to the Protection of Children and Adolescents

[Last Update: 09.09.20]