Abuse victims question if Pope Francis did enough to stop predators

In Boston, a woman named Alexa MacPherson bravely shared her story of being sexually abused by a priest named Peter Kanchong when she was just three years old. This abuse continued for six years, and it was a dark time in her life. Alexa's father discovered the abuse when he caught the priest trying to assault her on their living room couch. This shocking moment led her father to call the police, and a court hearing was scheduled for August 24, 1984. However, behind the scenes, the Catholic Church was working to protect the priest rather than support the victims. The then-Archbishop of Boston, Bernard Law, wrote a letter indicating that the court was trying to help Father Peter and avoid any scandal for the Church. This shows how powerful the Church was in Boston, a city with a strong Catholic presence. Alexa believes that the Church has a responsibility to do much more to protect children from abuse. She understands that her abuse occurred long before Pope Francis became the leader of the Church, but she feels that the Church has not adequately addressed the ongoing issues of sexual exploitation. When she learned of Pope Francis's death, she expressed a lack of strong feelings, saying, 'I don't want to take away from the good that he did do, but there's just so much more that the Church and the Vatican and the people in charge can do. ' This sentiment reflects the frustration of many survivors who feel that the Church has not done enough to support victims and prevent future abuse. The letter from Archbishop Law was sent to a bishop in Thailand and mentioned the accusations of child molestation against Father Peter. Although the court case concluded without scandal for the Church, the Church was aware that the priest had serious issues. A psychological evaluation indicated that he was unresponsive to therapy and should face consequences for his actions. Instead of taking action, the Archbishop urged the Thai bishop to recall Father Peter to Thailand, citing concerns about potential scandal if he remained in the United States. Although the Church attempted to bring him back, Father Peter found work in Boston at a facility for adults with learning disabilities. In 2002, many years after Alexa's father reported the abuse, the letter from Archbishop Law was made public. This was a significant moment, as it revealed how the Church had been concealing information about abuse. A local newspaper, The Boston Globe, began to investigate and publish the stories of victims, leading many to come forward with their experiences. The Church tried to keep its internal records secret, but a court ordered their release, resulting in numerous victims winning cases against the Church for the abuse they suffered. Alexa was one of over 500 victims who received compensation for the pain they endured. The internal documents showed that Archbishop Law often dealt with abuse cases by simply moving priests to new parishes instead of addressing the issues directly. After the settlement, he resigned and moved to Rome, where he was later honored with a prestigious position in a well-known church. Many believe that Pope Francis has made more efforts than previous leaders to confront the issue of abuse. In 2019, he convened a conference with over a hundred bishops to discuss the crisis, stating, 'We see the hand of evil' in the abuse of children. This conference led to some changes in Church law, allowing cooperation with civil authorities in abuse cases. However, these changes do not require the Church to disclose all information about abuse, only specific cases when requested by legitimate authorities. Alexa's lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian, who was portrayed in the film Spotlight about the Boston abuse scandal, expressed concerns that the Church continues to maintain secrecy. He believes that while some progress has been made, the Church still hides information about wrongdoing. Alexa feels strongly that the Church must be more transparent and hold accountable those who have committed abuse. She wants the Church to reveal the names of predatory priests and those who helped cover up the abuse. Watching the news about the Pope's funeral has been difficult for her, as it brings back painful memories and highlights the Church's ongoing secrecy. She remarked, 'It's the abuse being celebrated, in a way,' because the cover-ups are still happening. Now, at 85 years old, Peter Kanchong has never faced legal consequences for his actions and still retains his title as a priest. The Church has not defrocked him, and his case is still marked as 'not yet resolved. ' Alexa has been trying for years to have him removed from the priesthood, but the Church has made it challenging. She believes that the Church is attempting to erase the past by changing the name of the parish where she was abused. The Boston Diocese was asked for comments regarding Pope Francis's legacy and the Church's culture of secrecy, but they did not respond. As the Church prepares to elect a new pope, Alexa remains skeptical about the possibility of meaningful reform. She believes that the Church cannot move forward until it fully acknowledges the wrongs of the past and holds those responsible accountable.