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the Diocese did not have the financial resources to assist him other than to help arrange for rides to his various doctors appointments
*****************************
Mr. White asked the Standing Committee for some financial assistance so that the few remaining years he has to live might be made easier, bridging the gap between his resources and his living expenses. The Committee responded to Mr. White’s request with a statement that the Committee and the Diocese did not have the financial resources to assist him other than to help arrange for rides to his various doctors appointments.
In light of the magnitude of the wrongdoing by Rev. Bell, as well as by the Church in its concealment and turning a deaf ear to Mr. White, the offer of assistance with rides is hardly the kind of restitution that would help to make right what was once so wrong. Indeed, if anything, it makes light of the harm—harm that the Church benefited from.
The Episcopal Church’s “Safe Church Manual” speaks of restoration of “right relationship” and of justice to the victims of abuse. Canon law speaks of making restitution for the kind of wrongs inflicted on Mr. White. Assistance with rides is not enough.
Given the above, we specifically asked for:
• The creation of a trust for the benefit of Mr. White to provide him with an annuity for the remainder of his years, the value to be based on the present value of what the Church received when Rev. Bell died in 1979. Given the direct link between the wrongdoing, the concealment and failure to act to the receipt of tainted money, I think that may be an appropriate way to approach the issue of restitution.
***********
'When it comes to restitution, all they have to give him in return for ill gotten gain is some money.'
***********************
To be sure, there is no amount of money large enough to compensate Mr. White for the suffering, the loss of relationship with his family, friends and community, or for the years of being unable to hold meaningful employment. That said, when it comes to restitution, all we have to give him in return for ill gotten gain is some money. Mr. White is not looking to get rich through a settlement (nor is it our position that this act of restitution should do so).
He is looking for assistance. It will not do to say that there are no resources.
There are a number of complicit parties, all of whom need to step forward and correct, as best they can, what was, and continues to be an ongoing wrong.
• Upon Mr. White’s death, the proceeds would go to such charitable organization as he would direct by will for the prevention of, and restitution for, clergy sexual abuse as well as the promotion of reconciliation.
• As noted above, a greater search optimization and publication of Mr. White’s narrative and the Standing Committee’s Resolution—which narrative will name those who participated in the wrongdoing.
• A Healing Service to be held, jointly and in conjunction with Mr. White’s Synagogue, if it wishes to participate, the details of which could be worked out.
• The participation by representatives of the Standing Committee and the Diocese in articles to be published in a variety of settings. It may seem difficult to believe, but Mr. White and this firm feel that the opportunity for justice to take place here correctly involves giving the Church an opportunity to help write the end of the narrative of this tragic story.
**********
The corporate and institutional guilt associated with Rev. Bell’s actions
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Attorney statement continued:
the Diocese did not have the financial resources to assist him other than to help arrange for rides to his various doctors appointments
*****************************
Mr. White asked the Standing Committee for some financial assistance so that the few remaining years he has to live might be made easier, bridging the gap between his resources and his living expenses. The Committee responded to Mr. White’s request with a statement that the Committee and the Diocese did not have the financial resources to assist him other than to help arrange for rides to his various doctors appointments.
In light of the magnitude of the wrongdoing by Rev. Bell, as well as by the Church in its concealment and turning a deaf ear to Mr. White, the offer of assistance with rides is hardly the kind of restitution that would help to make right what was once so wrong. Indeed, if anything, it makes light of the harm—harm that the Church benefited from.
The Episcopal Church’s “Safe Church Manual” speaks of restoration of “right relationship” and of justice to the victims of abuse. Canon law speaks of making restitution for the kind of wrongs inflicted on Mr. White. Assistance with rides is not enough.
• The creation of a trust for the benefit of Mr. White to provide him with an annuity for the remainder of his years, the value to be based on the present value of what the Church received when Rev. Bell died in 1979. Given the direct link between the wrongdoing, the concealment and failure to act to the receipt of tainted money, I think that may be an appropriate way to approach the issue of restitution.
***********
'When it comes to restitution, all they have to give him in return for ill gotten gain is some money.'
***********************
To be sure, there is no amount of money large enough to compensate Mr. White for the suffering, the loss of relationship with his family, friends and community, or for the years of being unable to hold meaningful employment. That said, when it comes to restitution, all we have to give him in return for ill gotten gain is some money. Mr. White is not looking to get rich through a settlement (nor is it our position that this act of restitution should do so).
He is looking for assistance. It will not do to say that there are no resources.
There are a number of complicit parties, all of whom need to step forward and correct, as best they can, what was, and continues to be an ongoing wrong.
• Upon Mr. White’s death, the proceeds would go to such charitable organization as he would direct by will for the prevention of, and restitution for, clergy sexual abuse as well as the promotion of reconciliation.
• As noted above, a greater search optimization and publication of Mr. White’s narrative and the Standing Committee’s Resolution—which narrative will name those who participated in the wrongdoing.
• A Healing Service to be held, jointly and in conjunction with Mr. White’s Synagogue, if it wishes to participate, the details of which could be worked out.
• The participation by representatives of the Standing Committee and the Diocese in articles to be published in a variety of settings. It may seem difficult to believe, but Mr. White and this firm feel that the opportunity for justice to take place here correctly involves giving the Church an opportunity to help write the end of the narrative of this tragic story.
**********
The corporate and institutional guilt associated with Rev. Bell’s actions
**********************
Attorney statement continued:
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