Down but not out: the sex abuse scandal in the church has U.S. Catholic readers hopping mad. But they haven't lost their faith in God nor given up on their church or their priests. (reader survey).

U.S. CATHOLICS ARE MAD AS hell. They re also disappointed, sad, and ashamed. Survey after survey of American Catholics has already shown that the sex abuse crisis has deeply affected people in the pews. But when we asked U.S. CATHOLIC readers and Web site visitors for their opinion, they told us just how painful the revelations of abuse and cover-ups have been for everyday Catholics.

A whopping 82 percent of those surveyed said this scandal is the worst crisis faced by the church in their lifetime. Months after the first Boston Globe articles, after the cardinals' meeting in Rome, and the bishops' meeting in Dallas, many are still seething with anger.

"I am outraged at the actions of these abusing priests, but even more so at the bishops who covered for them. To see the lack of regard for the suffering of the victims on the part of some bishops is extremely painful," says Jo Lauer of Sherwood, Arizona, herself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a non-cleric. The majority of our survey respondents agree with Lauer: 61 percent say they are more disturbed by the actions of the U.S. bishops who have reassigned rather than removed abusive priests than they were by the abusive priests themselves. A large chunk of the 19 percent who checked "other" added that they found the two groups equally abhorrent.

"I am angry that the bishops (some at least) viewed the `sanctity' of the priesthood of greater importance than the pastoral care of the faithful of all ages," writes a reader from Kentucky.

Janet Kortenkamp of Stevens Point, Wisconsin says she was "sickened" by the revelations. "I no longer expect or desire to have the Catholic Church tell me how to live to be like Christ," she says.

This loss of moral authority was repeatedly mentioned.

"How can bishops tell me as a divorced and remarried Catholic that I cannot receive the Eucharist, but yet cover up criminal activity and encourage actively pedophile men to continue to celebrate Mass and receive the sacraments?" asks George Williams of Columbia, South Carolina. "The bishops' teaching authority has been utterly destroyed, in my opinion."

Georgia DeVader of Topeka, Kansas no longer sees priests or bishops as spiritual leaders. "This crisis has just furthered my disgust with the out-of-touch male leadership of our church," she says.

Those who weren't livid were filled with profound disappointment and sadness, including this New York reader: "Realizing that the hierarchy is not concerned about the lay Catholic, I feel abandoned, bereft, and deeply pained."

The shame of it all

But perhaps the most commonly cited feeling was that of shame and embarrassment of even being remotely connected with such unchristian--and criminal--behavior.

Jerry Pitzen of Chicago says he's now "very cautious about telling people that I am Catholic." Those in the Bible Belt report that it's even worse, with many evangelicals adopting a "holier than thou" attitude. "The worst part is fending off the remarks of `well-meaning but concerned' non-Catholics," says Kathy Childs of Little Rock, Arkansas.

"Watching and hearing my beloved church dragged through the mud" has been difficult for Eileen D. Kennedy of River Vale, New Jersey. "The Catholic Church has done marvelous things in our society, and our stance and service in the areas of social justice gets lost in the hoopla surrounding the scandal."

The church needs a PR boost--and fast. Dinah Richy of Louisville is concerned about "a resurgence of prejudice against the Catholic Church and the turn-off for many who were just beginning to give the church a chance after leaving for other reasons." Dottie Shumway of Lancaster, Ohio sees it during the RCIA process in her parish. "I have found it extremely difficult to encourage others to join the church," she admits.

Parents are worried not only about their children's safety, but also about their offspring's perception of the church. Encouraging vocations to the priesthood seems out of the question.

"I am saddened that my two teenage children have to see their church portrayed in such a negative light," says Bev Beckstrand of Elk River, Minnesota.

Mary Norville of Oregon City, Oregon also laments "the exposure of my children to a disintegration of trust and safety once felt at church."

Kill the messenger?

That the church's tarnished image has hit Catholics so personally might explain why readers were evenly split on whether to thank the media for uncovering the secrecy and lies in the church or to blame them for doing the same. In fact, a substantial number of readers seemed more upset with newspaper and TV reporters than they were with pedophile priests or dishonest bishops.

"The media has always had a bias [against] the church," says Michael Barry of Douglas, California. "They were waiting for something like this to happen."

Several other readers accused the media of reporting about clergy sex abuse "with glee" and dwelling on sensational aspects of the story in order to sell more papers or increase their ratings.

"The media's unrelenting coverage of what is perceived as spicy and sensational news is what brings in more revenue and ratings," says Susan Pacelli of Danbury, Connecticut. "It is also possible that some enemies of the Catholic Church desire to seek its downfall."

Several complained about the exclusive focus on Catholic clergy, when pedophilia exists in other denominations. "Is it necessarily always front-page headline material for days?" asks Sister Mary Kay Moran, S.S.C.M. of Rockford, Illinois. "The majority of pedophiles are not clergy. Yes, it needs to be reported, but the extent of coverage seems overdone."

Barbara Horn of Springfield, Virginia grew frustrated because the media would "constantly cloud the issue by linking it to the controversies of whether to have married and/or female priests."

Some found more balanced coverage in Catholic publications. "The secular [press] tends to hold up and focus on the sensational aspect," says Sister Edwardine Freking, O.S.F., of Remsen, Iowa. "The Catholic press tends to be more reflective and searching for better answers."

Yet others blamed the Catholic press for failing to expose the extent of the issue or even colluding in covering it up. "The secular press made an objective and thorough effort to penetrate and get facts on sexual abuse by priests and cover-ups by the hierarchy," says Bill Wellington of Silver Spring, Maryland, who faulted diocesan papers for not doing the same.

But Elizabeth Urban of New York City points out, "Obviously the hierarchy wasn't going to bring these crimes to light, especially when it was an accessory."

Some credit the secular media with finally forcing the church to act. "Thank God for the media!" says Anne Deddens of Camarillo. Fellow Californian Mary Adams agrees: "Although it may have seemed incessantly negative, the press was doing what they must--looking at the story from every possible angle."

"The media didn't create this crisis," concludes Philip Marino of Stony Point, New York. "They only reported it."

Money's not the answer

Accusations of greed and other nefarious motives were directed not only at the media but also at victims' lawyers--and sometimes at the victims themselves.

"Too many of the offended seem to be using the church as a `deep pocket,'" says Leland F. Edtl of Longview, Washington, who believes the entire crisis is "money-driven."

Some expressed concern that large financial settlements might entice some to make false accusations. "I know some of these cases are legitimate, but I'm sure others are outright lies," says a Kentucky woman. "Also some probably have misinterpreted an action such as a hug."

Perhaps a fear that the cost of the crisis might bankrupt the church led many to write in "not money" when asked what the church should offer to victims. Instead, they suggested prayers, apologies, and counseling. "I don't know," is how a North Carolina reader answered that question. "But millions of dollars never healed anyone."

Others were concerned that money paid to victims would hurt other ministries in the church. "All the money that has been paid for the cover-up could have been used to pay a just and living wage to Catholic school teachers, parish staff, or the poor," says Lucille Sautman of Belleville, Illinois.

Despite this negative reaction about the financial ramifications of the crisis, many readers did express sympathy and concern about the victims.

This advice about how to treat victims came from a Chicago priest: "The church should acknowledge the truth of their stories, validate the person, assure them they did nothing wrong by trusting clergy, and pay for healing."

Jacqueline Brewer of Shelter Island Heights, New York would also like to see a shift in attitude toward victims. "The church should be supporting victims, not blaming them or hushing them."

If you ask me ...

If bishops truly want to start listening to the laity, our readers could give them an earful. When asked what they would recommend bishops do to start the healing process, survey respondents had no shortage of advice. Topping the list was the need for a sincere, humble apology.

"Quit making excuses. Admit you were wrong and say I'm sorry," says Dorothy Nesbit of Warrenville, Illinois. "Quit equivocating and trying to wiggle out of responsibility or blame others. Nothing spoils a good apology like an excuse."

The necessity of bishops' resignations was mentioned by many respondents. A Belleville, Washington man believes bishops involved in the cover-up must step down. "As long as they continue to be around, the scab on the church's wound will not heal," he says.

"Resign if you are guilty," was Father Frank Moeslein's advice to bishops. "Nothing harms the church more than giving the impression of being untouchable and above the law," says the priest from Morehead City, North Carolina.

Among readers' other recommendations to bishops was the need for more openness, for listening to the laity, for increased involvement of women, and for consideration of married and female clergy. However, few (only 30 percent) believe the crisis will hasten such substantial changes in the priesthood.

On the topic of zero tolerance, readers were split. While many called for removal from ministry (45 percent) or from the priesthood (38 percent), several expressed concerns about "one size fits all" policies. "I see no real justification for an absolute removal of every priest regardless of circumstances," says Matt Zipple of Dearborn, Michigan.

Some suggested less severe penalties for those whose offenses didn't involve young children or were isolated incidents from years ago. Harold Zahorik of Manitowoc, Wisconsin believes zero tolerance removes any chance of forgiveness. "I would like to see God have a chance to play a part," he says.

Yet others were adamant about zero tolerance. "It's the only answer--both civically and morally," says Virginia Kelly of Naperville, Illinois. Licensed clinical social worker Beverly Huber of Irvine, California believes pedophiles are unlikely to be rehabilitated. "It's not worth taking the chance," she says.

And a layman who works for the church questions calls for forgiveness and mercy for priests. "If a layperson had committed such acts, they would have been thrown to the wolves."

A few would like to see even more dramatic repentance than resignation. An e-mail respondent writes, "It would be nice to see the offending bishops and priests dressed in sackcloth and ashes as public penance."

We love our priests

Although readers were quick to point out the problems of an over-clericalized church, they can't be accused of being blanketly anticlerical. Although nearly two thirds say their faith in church leadership has been shaken by this crisis, hardly any (only 10 percent) are suspicious of their own parish priest. In fact, many survey respondents expressed extreme concern about the effect of this crisis on "the good priests."

Tish Evans of Oklahoma City laments that "all are being judged by the sins of only a few." Mary Jane Flood of Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania is worried that priests will "have to restrict their actions with laypeople, especially children."

Since many U.S. CATHOLIC readers are actively involved in their parishes or even work for the church, it's perhaps not surprising that they often sympathize with priests, even those who have been found guilty of abuse. Jerry O'Shea of Portland, Maine calls a priest removed for an abuse incident that occurred more than 20 years ago "a man of great charisma, dedication, and spirituality, and a good friend."

Helen Bausch felt horrible when a local priest she admired for his work with youth in Mayetta, Kansas was removed from service. "It makes my heart ache for him and his family."

Others are shocked by parishioners' defense of priests, including the guilty. "I am appalled by the laity who defend the ordained in spite of the lies, the abuse, and the arrogance," says Nan Waldie of Mercer Island, Washington.

In the end, however, most respondents were able to make the distinction between the church and the fallible human beings who run it. "The bishops and priests are not God," many wrote. And nearly every reader (93 percent) said their faith has not been shaken by this scandal.

These Catholics apparently are still committed to the institution that has so blatantly failed in this crisis. When asked how they have survived as Catholics during this crisis, a few noted that they aren't sure they're surviving. But the majority mentioned prayer, the Eucharist, their local parish, and working for change as sources of support and hope.

"The church has been through crises before," assures Karen Falwey of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "I'm sure the Holy Spirit is working hard as ever to save us from ourselves."

"I love my faith," concludes an anonymous respondent. "It's not a baseball game. I don't stick with it only when the team is winning, like some fair-weather fan."

AND THE SURVEY SAYS ...

1. The sexual abuse scandal is
   the worst crisis faced by the
   church in my lifetime.

   agree    82%
disagree    15%
   other     3%

2. I am more disturbed by the
   actions of bishops who have
   reassigned rather than
   removed priests than I am by
   the abusive priests themselves.

   agree    61%
disagree    20%
   other    19%

Representative of other: "I am
equally disturbed."

3. I am in favor of "zero
   tolerance" for all priests who
   have been found to have
   sexually abused a minor.

   45%    Yes, they should be
          removed from ministry.
   38%    Yes, they should be
          removed from the
          priesthood.
   11%    No.
    6%    Other.

4. Is the church doing enough
   for abuse victims?

   yes    25%
    no    56%

14% wrote in, "I don't know";
5% didn't answer.

5. I am more suspicious of my
   parish priest than a year ago.

   agree    10%
disagree    85%
   other     5%

6. My trust in the leadership of
   the church has been shaken
   by this crisis.

   agree    63%
disagree    30%
   other     7%

7. My faith has been shaken by
   this crisis.

   agree     6%
disagree    93%
   other     1%

8. Who should make the final
   decisions in a diocese about
   the fate of abusive priests?

   47%    A committee of
          laypeople and clergy
          with expertise on this
          issue.
   37%    The above committee,
          with abuse victims.
    4%    The bishop alone.
    2%    A panel of clergy only.
   10%    Other.

9. Do you think, on the whole,
   that the media's reporting on
   the crisis has been fair and
   accurate?

   yes    51%
    no    49%

These results are based on survey
responses from 270 U,S. CATHOLIC
readers and Web site visitors.

RELATED ARTICLE: But what about gay priests?

When it comes to the controversial subject of homosexuality in the priesthood, readers who responded to our survey were divided--and many were confused. "If the church considers homosexuality a disorder, why would she ever ordain homosexual priests?" asks a Texas woman. Terry Conner of Mercer, Pennsylvania is clearer on the matter: "In my opinion, homosexuality is a sin, period! I am adamantly against gays in the priesthood!"

But an equal--perhaps even larger--number saw no problem with homosexual priests, as long as they were celibate. "Gays are fine, pedophiles aren't," says Glen Cooper of Portland, Maine. A Michigan man noted that "celibate is celibate. It really doesn't matter who you're not doing it with as long as you're being faithful."

Amidst the theoretical debates about homosexuality, perhaps Maureen Balyeat of Great Falls, Montana had the most practical response: "Don't remove the gay guys. We won't have anybody left."

--Heidi Schlumpf

Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscribers, all are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S monthly Sounding Board survey at www.uscatholic.org.

This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they discuss the use of general absolution for Reconciliation.

HEIDI SCHLUMPF, an associate editor at U.S. CATHOLIC.