Tower Topics ~ Summer 2002

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A message from Abbot Gregory

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace from Conception Abbey.

The monks of Conception Abbey have been involved in the work of priestly formation since 1886. We treasure the responsibility given to us by many bishops and dioceses over the years. We are humbled by their trust, and we are proud of the many fine alumni who have served with distinction, both in the Church and in the wider community, for over a century. Our vital interest in priestly formation has made the recent months an especially difficult time for us, as it has been for the entire Catholic Church in the United States. As I reflect on these events, the image of a dark, threatening cloud looming overhead comes readily to mind. What we now await is a light to pierce that darkness and bring new hope and courage, strength and spiritual insight.

We must acknowledge the sinful deeds of the priests in question, as well as significant errors in judgment on the part of some Church leaders. As abbot of my monastic community, I join the leadership of the Church in expressing my deep regret for the wrongs that have been committed. I especially apologize if a member of our community has done any wrong to anyone. And with that same community, I pray fervently for healing within the hearts of us all as we look for the light that our faith tells us will break and dispel this dark cloud hanging over us.

I also believe that this must be a time of purification for the Church. The exposure of sexual misconduct, coupled with misinformed and poor judgments in dealing with both perpetrators and victims, must give all of us cause for serious reflection. The Church remains semper reformanda, always in the process of renewing herself. Now is such a moment at hand for the Church and for each of her members. Here is where that stream of light, shining through the dark cloud, can make itself known. Following upon this difficult time of purification, a grace-filled renewal will open us to the kind of transformation that will make the Church an even stronger witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Such renewal takes place in the heart, and is manifested in our deeds.

My predecessor, Abbot Marcel Rooney, inaugurated a review of our existing Sexual Misconduct Policy, which was in its sixth draft when I was elected abbot in November 1996. My Council reviewed and finalized this policy during my first year as abbot. In the light of recent events, we are again reviewing this policy in each of our departments, and having it examined by outside legal resources. Our employees will also be asked to review the document, so that they may be aware of its contents and the ramifications of any violations. Each of us, whatever our sphere of life, has the responsibility to assure that our young people – and all people – are protected from all forms of abuse. In our response to this present situation, we seek to witness to what is right and just, to what is in accord with the teaching of the Gospel, and to assure respect and dignity to everyone.

Since the mid 1970s, admission requirements at Conception have included psychological testing, to ensure that the candidates who come to us have sufficient emotional maturity to engage in an authentic discernment of a priestly vocation. From psychological screening, family histories, letters of recommendation, and academic and work records, we get a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of all our prospective seminarians. The same procedures are followed for anyone entering the novitiate of Conception Abbey. We strive to build a strong community of leaders in the Church, not merely through appropriate screening, but even more through effective formation programs that emphasize spiritual growth, moral integrity, academic excellence and emotional stability. Our goal is the formation of candidates who are well-balanced human beings. And in keeping with the age-old Benedictine emphasis on community, we look for its expression especially in the way seminarians or novices interact with others – peers, mentors, teachers, administrators, youth, the elderly, or anyone they might meet in off-campus apostolic work. While there is no foolproof way to predict whether a candidate might be prone to engage in misconduct, we use all possible means and resources to prevent this from occurring.

The renewal and transformation of our lives according to the precepts of the Gospel will be the light breaking through the dark cloud that troubles us today. Let us pray for the grace of this renewal, and let us continue to pray for the victims of abuse, that their healing may come quickly through the genuine care and love of the Church’s leaders. Pope John Paul II has reminded us, “There is no peace without justice, and no justice without forgiveness.” Let us also pray that the grace of forgiveness will quicken the healing in all of us.

Sincerely in Christ,

Abbot Gregory J. Polan, OSB

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