Raising Cane
By Rob Perez
Dual standard is
evident at isle dioceseSomething isn't right.
Hawaii's Catholic Church said several months ago that it wouldn't investigate sexual misconduct allegations against a now-retired Honolulu priest because the alleged abuse happened so long ago (in the 1970s), because it allegedly occurred during a previous bishop's administration and because the credibility of any church investigation would be questioned "given the present climate surrounding this issue."
Yet when allegations recently surfaced that a Maui priest sexually molested a minor more than 20 years ago, the church began an investigation and put the priest on administrative leave, even though the cleric denied the allegations.
No concern was raised about the age of the Maui allegations, about the alleged abuse occurring during a previous bishop's administration or that the credibility of any internal investigation would be questioned.
The church instead referred the matter to a committee specifically established to evaluate such charges, and the panel unanimously recommended that the priest, the Rev. Joseph Bukoski III, be placed on leave.
In the Honolulu case involving alleged victim Lynne Jensen, the committee, made up of psychiatrists, psychologists and priests, never even got involved.
The church, without speaking to Jensen, her therapist or others who could vouch for her credibility, determined that the allegations lacked credibility and didn't warrant being referred to the committee. Jensen basically was told that if she wanted to pursue the matter, she could sue the church.
What heartless souls.
The church's position seems especially cruel given what was said last week in Dallas, where the nation's bishops apologized to and sought forgiveness from victims of sexually abusive clergy.
A top church official faulted his fellow bishops for sometimes responding to victims and their families "as adversaries and not as suffering members of the church."
That's precisely how the Honolulu diocese is responding to Jensen, who has been the subject of two previous Raising Cane columns.
Jensen said she was repeatedly molested as a child by a priest while living in Kahaluu.
The 33-year-old woman, who now lives in Washington, D.C., and directs the legislative operations for Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak, said she started seeing a therapist in October because of problems stemming from the molestation.
She asked the church to cover her therapy bills, but the church refused, saying it wasn't liable for the injuries Jensen alleged and that the statute of limitations barred any claims in connection with such injuries.
Honolulu attorney Gary Slovin, who has known Jensen since she was a child, said the church's handling of her case has been disgraceful, guided more by legal interests than ones of compassion.
That's an OK approach for a big corporation but not for an institution built on faith and compassion, he said.
"This is a person who is in pain," Slovin said of Jensen. "The church should be trying to help."
Slovin said Jensen, who used to baby-sit his kids, is sweet, caring and honest. "To me, the thought that Lynne would make something up just isn't credible," he said. "Lynne is one of the more credible young persons I've ever known."
Others who know Jensen have described her similarly to the Star-Bulletin.
One friend said Jensen confided in her when they were teenagers about being sexually abused years earlier by a priest.
And Carrie Zilcoski, Jensen's Maryland therapist who specializes in treating adults traumatized as children, said she has no doubt Jensen is telling the truth about the abuse.
But none of that seems to matter to the church. It is sticking to its legal guns.
Asked to explain why the church's handling of the Jensen case differed from that of the Bukoski one, spokesman Patrick Downes issued a one-sentence written statement:
"After the accusation by Lynne Jensen was received by the diocese and initially examined by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo and his advisors, the bishop did not judge the accusation sufficiently credible to forward it for further examination to the Diocesan Standing Committee on Sexual Misconduct."
If the church has good reason to justify not pursuing Jensen's case, the diocese owes her an explanation, even if that goes against the advice of its lawyers.
Jensen has not heard from the church since receiving a terse letter in November denying her request to pay for the therapy bills.
"It bothers me," Jensen said of what appears to be a double standard in the handling of her case. "I wish I knew the secret formula for how they evaluate these cases."
An explanation to Hawaii church members wouldn't hurt either.
The church needs to restore the faith of those members who have been shaken by the national scandal and how bishops tried to cover up the problem.
Being forthcoming with information will help.
At the very least, Lynne Jensen is entitled to know more.
Star-Bulletin columnist Rob Perez writes on issues
and events affecting Hawaii. Fax 529-4750, or write to
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. He can also be reached
by e-mail at: rperez@starbulletin.com.
