Marquette Diocese Clergy Watch Blog

Here are the five most recent entries...

To All The Other "Lambs"

January 3rd, 2009, 8:42AM

To Peter and Michael, and all the others who drift...keep writing. Keep telling your stories and putting your thoughts down. Do not, DO NOT, keep the words in you or they will wipe you out. God is not in the dark places. Keep walking to somewhere, and now in your heart that a 'somewhere' is, and will be, better than here. That has been promised to us all regardless of denomination.

Janet, write. Peggy, write. Kay in L.A., you nutty gal, write on. People need to read it all...and see it for what is is...and know that they ARE NOT ALONE.

Richard Sipe and Thomas Doyle, write on...

David, Bard and Barbara, and SNAP...write on...

 

From: Kelly [mailto:planner@up.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 1:03 PM
To: 'asample@dioceseofmarquette.org'
Subject: Earthkeepers
 
Dear Bishop Sample,
 
For just today, I felt that peace would settle in.
For the first time in over three months I could smile during mass.
I could shut me eyes and not have Roy all over me.
Instead, I am reminded of the cruelty of the situation.
 
Monsignor finished mass by informing everyone
of good Father Roy’s schedule and sharing
with us all, in jest, ‘what a guy’ he must be
to have Monsignor and Bishop Garland fill
in for him while he is gone. He also stated that
Fr. Thomas would be returning to India and
Roy will take his place…
 
Is this so? How can you?
This can’t be happening?
This can’t be right?
 
I am so deeply hurt right now.
I am looking for an explanation.
I am very confused.
Please, please, please, I do not understand this.
 
This lamb has been kicked enough.
Please, enough.

To Bishop Sample

December 28th, 2008, 8:09PM

December 28, 2008

Dear Bishop Sample,

On December 5, 2008, I was informed that Detective Snowaert had been directed by the Prosecuting Attorney in Marquette to question you concerning Fr. Roy Joseph, MST.  I find that waiting since June 17 of 2007 is somehow difficult to put into words. As you and I both know, you did nothing illegal or as such, and should have no problem answering Detective's questions. Still, I have waited too long.

The reason that I am writing you this letter and copying it to multiple readers is to allow me the chance to place my disappointment in writing and for nothing more than memorializing another request to meet with you and your advisory Review Board. You have informed me in writing that the Review Board is not to talk with me or have any dialogue with me in any way. I have asked repeatedly, to a sort of nauseous repetition, to meet with you all behind close doors. You know better than most what I have gone through and where it all has led. Your $25,000 offer with a non-disclosure agreement included nearly killed me, but here I am again, still knocking.

My story still needs to be shared. Therefore, after a great deal of thinking, I have decided that I will be filmed and post my story online. My emails, to and from you since we both were in contact with one another (since 2006), will be the timeline of my video file to you and the Review Board, and to the survivor community. I simply have no power to do anything else. I have none and you have it all. It is all that I have. What else can I do?

If you should change your mind and wish to speak to me in private, you know where you can find me. I will be about ten pews back on your right side, crying. And that's if I can make it through Mass with you celebrating.

Happy New Year.

Kelly Mathews

Cc Marquette Review Board and everyone else that I can think of

Midnight Mass

December 25th, 2008, 7:24PM

http://macsinclair.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/clergy-abuse-victims-on-christmas-eve-the-loneliest-time-of-the-year/

Midnight Mass

rejoice

not here, not here

come, Emanual, meet me where I am

meet me anywhere but here

December Support Group Meeting

December 15th, 2008, 7:27PM

It's a party for December. Don't forget your treats and goodies. St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Ridge St., THIS Friday, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The December 19, 2008 date is different than the normal scheduled date.

Contact 906-362-2602.

Remember, all private meetings are scheduled at THIS meeting only.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

Imposed Silence Kills

December 15th, 2008, 6:57PM

I keep thinking that maybe next week, or next month, I can sit through Mass and not want to throw up or throw candles across the sanctuary. I keep thinking that my hands won't go numb or my tears will stay in place.

It just doesn't go away. It just doesn't stop. Peace? Peace? Where is this peace?

Swanson & Dettmann

419 West Washignton St., Marquette, MI 49855

Dear Ms. Mathews,

Persuant to your request, I have arranged to obtain authority to offer you a settlement in the amount of $25,000.00. This offer would be in satisfaction of any and all claims, which include but are not limited to claims of the actions of Father Roy Joseph and claims of professional malpractice.

In addition to the settlement of these claims, a release would be executed confirming the settlement of any and all claims, and the requirement of non-disclosure of the settlement terms.

Sincerely,

(Signed) Darrell Dettmann

(Diocesan Lawyer and Review Board Member)

Who is this that commits another to silence? Who ties and binds? Who gags and refuses another to speak?

I sat in the back corner of the cathedral during Mass this Sunday. I sat on the floor tracing the tile with my finger trying my best to keep my hands from becoming numb.

"Lean on Jesus, Kelly....he never leaves your side."

My Grandmother was very clear in her instructions.

I tilted toward the pillar support. The cement was cold. I pray now for the moment to be able to pray. Just something small. Just a crumb of stillness. It never comes.

I wrote to the Bishop in July or so of 2006. It was after everything had begun to unravel. It went something like,"When the veil is torn by the ordained, there lies a chasm."

I can't cross this chasm. I can't walk anymore.

I sat on the cold floor in the cathedral and came to terms with God. I died there nearly three years ago, and my faith had laid down beside me.

"Non-disclosure of the settlement terms...," it reads.

Can you hear my death wail?

Neither can I.