1. Have you ever had flash backs?
Yes. Had the same nightmare for many years until I met my hubby. Suddenly they stopped. However, occasionally my husband will touch me or ask me to touch
him as my grandfather told me to. I have to fight the vision and it was 40 years ago.
2. How does the public discussion of clergy sex abuse and the cover up affect you emotionally?
It makes me very angry because my mother knew of the four family members who hurt me and she did nothing. When I complained to her sister that her
husband grabbed me, she said if I wrestled with him I should expect it. I will carry the emotional scars the rest of my life.
3. Do you have anything specific to say to Mahony or the organizers?
Do you have any idea the damage you have done to victims by not reporting abusers?
4. This happened ages 2-10 by my paternal grandfather…around
10 by my uncle by marriage, 12 by my maternal Uncle, 10 or 11 by my brother.
My maternal uncle was the hardest one to tell my mom because I loved him so much. But when I did she blew it off. It was about 10 years afterwards
when I was married. He had come into the Catholic Church and in going to confession, realized what he did and apologized. It was easy to forgive
him. My mom caught my brother the first time but he continued. I never spoke to her again about it. I told her about my paternal grandfather when
I was 16. Again she blew it off. As an adult I told my dad, but I don’t think he believed me because he allowed my half sister to spend summer
breaks with my grandfather..
My parents divorced when I was 8. Mom brought many boyfriends home and was open with her sexuality. I grew up thinking sex wasn’t a big deal. I was
very promiscuous. Thankfully I never got pregnant. God has been very good to me. I am disappointed in the Church and how it has let society influence
it.
I am a Catholic Convert who works for my local parish. I have seen a lot on how things are run. Abuse is everywhere. Abuse doesn’t have to be sexual
and the perp can be a volunteer, lay employee or clergy. People have taken their eyes off Christ and are looking into themselves for their own
joy and fulfillment.
Submitted by Katerina.