Archbishop should reach out to St. James

I urgently request of you, Archbishop Blase Cupich, as one of your first official actions that you contact the pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights urging him to embrace a new model in addressing the newly released, more-detailed files of priests - in this case a previous pastor accused of clergy sexual abuse/molestation. I propose taking a proactive stand in reaching out to victims, their families and friends, and the parishioners in general, many of whom are reeling with new information released about their former pastor.

As those of us who have been supporting survivors and witnessed some of the enormous lifelong effects of abuse know, there is much to be done to help people deal with all this and to offer resources to all. You were a help in sending Tom Thayaril, victim assistance coordinator, to the bedside of Rick Springer last Friday as he was dying to read to him his file of abuse by a priest. Thank you for that. Because of that, Rick was able to die in peace after having suffered for years from having been abused by a priest in confession at the age of 13. Rick was a convert and wanted to become a priest. His life was totally derailed.

Please reach out and endorse our efforts to help this parish and others deal with the latest release of these files of clergy sexual abuse. Doing so is of utmost importance and would signal a new day of openness and transparency and accountability of this archdiocese.

Sandy Stilling Seehausen

Cary

Former parishioner of St. James