Archdiocese struggles in response to sexual abuse scandal

DAINA HAVENS STAFF WRITER 0MH724@CABRINI .EDU

Jazzman's and the cafeteria welcomed students back from vacation with a fresh and energetic campus dining experience. Technicolor walls brighten the cafeteria, while menu changes add some pizzazz to dining with friends and faculty. Still more exciting future menu choices are just around the corner.

With the recent release of the grand jury report of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal, clergy and laypersons of the church have been left in a pool of vanous emotions, often strongly conflicting.

The report, as many have seen; is extremely graphic and disturbing in terms of the detail provided about each selected incident. The actions of these alleged perpetrators represented a definite evil that lurked w1thm the Catholic Church, a place in which people go to worship God and frequently fallback-on in times of need.

Due to this report and the disturbing actions taken by these few members of the clergy, the strong trust that once held the Catholic Church together has now been weakened. Victims of the offenses were permanently damaged.

If the grand jury reP<.?rtis completely accurate about head church officials like Cardinal Bevilacqua and Cardinal Krol hiding multiple offenses on repeated occasions, then a good portion of these vile abuses could have been avoided if they had acted properly.

As a result of the abuse and the allegations of cardinals knowingly relocating suspected pedophiles, some members of the Catholic Church have opted to not return. Althou~ leaving the Church is the most drastic of alternatives to this scandal, few people have done so.

For the most part, the people of the Archdiocese have stood by the Church. For many, the horrific incidents were embarrassing and confusing, but their faith in God has not changed.

At disappointing stages such as this, many laypersons have focused primarily on the Word of God, rather than the person delivering it. Their trust in God will not waver, and prayer is offered for the Catholic Church as a whole.

It is of the utmost importance to keep in mind that the priests in question were a very small percentage of the overall clergy. Although this fact is in no way attempting to validate the abuses that occurred, hopefully people will keep in mind that there are still many outstanding priests in the Archdiocese.

It was difficult and somewhat awkward to witness the homilies at Mass this past Sunday. Different opinions from the clergy expressed feelings of anger and disgust. Probably the most troubling was to hear a priest, a man in such a respectable and powerful position, tell a story Qf how for the first time since his ordination he was ashamed of his job.

The offenses that took place, however, would make anyone feel guilty or embarrassed of any association. The Catholic Church since 2002 has taken steps toward never letting something like this happen again. From education of leaders and children of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to stricter rules for the clergy, the church has made strides.

For the time being, the negativity will surely continue. Sexual abuses that have affected a select number of children for decades will not just disappear. For years the Church must work on reconciliation with the victims.

Whether or not church officials will be prosecuted is one thing, but we must make sure that the new rules and education are most definitely enforced. These issues are necessary in order to reestablish trust with the parishioners so we never have to go through such a disturbing situation again.

Linda Roscioli, dining services office manager, said that these alterations were a vision of the company itself, and that menu choices, prices, and even the innovative colors of the cafeteria walls are all changes made by the hands of the hired dining service company. "We have menus to follow and recipes to follow," Roscioli said. She also added that these changes were inspired by a more modern feel that would unify both campus eateries. There will always be concerned critics, and their opinions may offer a good reason for change. An anonymous student had some grounds for disagreement about the new changes. "The food here is not healthy," the student said. This opinion of a lack of nutrition awareness in the menu, along with this student's lack of faith in the efficiency of dining services, serves as a reminder that there is always room for improvement.

Critics also added that the lines move too slowly, there is not enough menu diversity, the prices are too high, and that there is even ex-lax in the food! However, change can always be for the better. Even the critics may be satisfied by the adjustments that are yet to come.

Heidi Huffnagle, manager of Jazzman 's Cafe, commented on the future Jazzman's menu additions by saying that "The students will love it! It will be cheaper than the sandwiches."

Six salad and six sandwich varieties to choose from can get somewhat boring day after day, but Jazzman's is in the process of introducing not only pizza, but also toasted pita sandwiches to the future menu.

Assistant Registrar M. Frances Harkness did notice the Jazzman's menu change, and commented on the freshness of the salads. "I think it's a great meeting place for everyone,"

Corrections

said Harkness.

When commenting on the environment of the refurbished cafeteria, freshman psychology major Amanda Malia, along with some classmates, offered some fresh insight by saying that the cafeteria is a "nice environment."

Junior business administration major Allison Sachs summed up her dining experience while relaxing with her roommate, Becca Gallagher, a junior marketing major, on a couch in the center meeting place at Jazzman's Cafe. They agreed that more organized lines, nicer staff, reasonable prices despite use of flex dollars and a wider variety on the menu helped them to conclude that campus dining can be a pleasant experience. Sachs said, "It's really good and I hope each year they continue to be more successful with the quality of their service."

More information on dining services, along with menu options pamphlets can be found in Jazzman's.

Suggestions and opinions can also be offered by filling out a suggestion card, also located in Jazzman's Cafe.

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In the Sept. 23 issue, the article "Katrina hits home for Cabrini students" misspelled Kristen Catalanotto's name in several places.

In the Sept.16 issue, the article "NASCAR gets feminine touch" had a number of errors about NASCAR, the most important of which is the basic premise of the article: There are no women that race in NASCAR at the present time. Loquitur appreciates information received from NASCAR fans correcting us.

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