Good step forward

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

The creation of an independent, neutral mediation process to meet the needs of victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Milwaukee Archdiocese is a welcome next step in dealing with this problem.

Eva Soeka, director of Marquette University's Center for Dispute Resolution Education, designed the system. It includes an intake coordinator, three independent investigators and three mediators, in addition to Soeka, who as system administrator, will review all callers wishing to use the mediation system.

The archdiocese is publicizing the mediation system with ads in daily and weekly newspapers throughout the 10-county archdiocese. It sent press releases to more than 100 media outlets and flyers to all Catholic churches and schools, and to programs that provide free services to sexual abuse victims/survivors.

Abp. Timothy Dolan will sit in on mediation sessions if the victim/survivor requests it.

This mediation process has been criticized by some who question its independence because Marquette is a Catholic college. It may not be the final solution - only experience will tell us that - but it is a good next step and a sign that the church is dealing seriously and justly with the problem.