+Sean Rowe receives more reports of sexual abuse
An update from the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of NW Pennsylvania (via email):
July 13, 2010Since we disclosed on Sunday that Donald Davis had sexually abused girls during his tenure as bishop, I have been contacted by a number of women who wanted to tell me their stories. I do not think that it would be appropriate to disclose the exact number of women who have so far come forward, but in the interest of transparency I want to
acknowledge that I now know about the possibility of more than five additional complaints. In the days to come, I may hear from more. All of these women are in my prayers, and I ask that you include them in yours.As I said on Sunday, our first priorities are the victims' healing and the confidentiality of our conversations with them. I am going to spend the next several weeks talking with women who come forward, and working with them on how best to foster their healing and reconciliation. At the end of the summer, or sooner if needed, I will update the people of the diocese and the public about our progress.
--The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe
Since I wrote the essay for Daily Episcopalian on abuse by clergy - I have received calls from women wondering if they have any hope of the church hearing their story of abuse as vulnerable adults. Children who suffer child sexual abuse are often adult victims of exploitation by clergy. It may look like an "affair" as it is 2 adults - but the power imbalance and the history of abuse make adults easy targets for perpetrators.
Posted by Ann Fontaine![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 13, 2010 5:06 PM
Bishop Sean is in our prayers. He has done what others have failed to do.
I have a question for The Episcopal Church concerning sharing information. Because Davis' behavior was known to some in the church (Rowe's predecessor and some in the Church Center) it's disturbing that Sean learned of Davis' behavior from a victim.
1. Shouldn't there be a norm where the retiring diocesan shares information of this kind with the next diocesan?
2. Likewise, if the Church Center knows something shouldn't it be shared with the new diocesan?
If both are expected to be sharing this information with a new bishop everyone is more likely to be kept honest.
Posted by John B. Chilton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 13, 2010 5:35 PM
A separate point. There is resistance in the church to the mandate to do sex abuse training. We must keep in mind that the training is meant not so much for the potential abuser, but to arm us all to better spot abuse and conditions that are inappropriate. As it was, Davis was only stopped by victims coming forward, not by someone who recognized that something wasn't right.
Posted by John B. Chilton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 13, 2010 6:09 PM
Say what you want about the changing and loosening of sexual morality, but this, brothers and sisters, is the flip-side, in the sense that young leaders in the Church are far less likely to feel shame about speaking out and calling out, concerning sexual abuse and exploitation. I'm so proud of Bishop Sean and hope his example emboldens many more to say something and do something about it.
Posted by Clint Davis![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 13, 2010 9:18 PM
Thanks for your comment, Ann. Most people don't understand that adult victims of clergy sexual misconduct are just as blameless as child victims. We are blamed by our church families (sometimes to the point of a true shunning). Because of this, we carry painful and undeserved shame.
It takes courage to stand up for a woman who makes a complaint against a beloved priest. I hope this dialog will prompt readers to search inside themselves for that courage.
Posted by Catherine T.![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 21, 2010 10:11 AM