The Underreported Plight of Black Survivors in the Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis in the United States

In the United States, a troubling aspect of the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis is the near invisibility of Black survivors. This issue is exemplified by the story of Charles Richardson, a survivor who, as he gradually lost his eyesight to complications from diabetes, found certain childhood memories haunting him even more.

During his formative years in northwest Baltimore, Richardson became acquainted with Reverend Henry Zerhusen, a charismatic white cleric, in the 1970s. Zerhusen’s parish, St. Ambrose, was a prominent institution in Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, which was undergoing demographic shifts, transitioning to a majority-Black population. Despite being hailed as a “super-priest” for his efforts in racial integration and social service programs, Richardson alleges that Zerhusen sexually assaulted him for over a year.

For most of his life, Richardson kept this abuse a closely guarded secret, a common response among survivors of sexual abuse. However, the underreporting of clergy abuse cases within the African American community is a concerning issue, with experts emphasizing that the lack of attention only exacerbates the trauma faced by this already vulnerable population.

Black survivors like Richardson have remained largely unnoticed in the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis, even in a city like Baltimore, home to a historic Black Catholic community deeply rooted in the nation’s oldest archdiocese. The U.S. Catholic Church does not publicly track the race or ethnicity of clergy abuse victims, making it difficult to gauge the full extent of clergy sexual abuse within communities of color.

The Reverend Bryan Massingale, a Black Catholic priest and Fordham University professor, stresses that it is essential to dispel the misconception that most victims of clergy abuse are white males. He asserts that people of color have endured neglect and marginalization within the Catholic Church for a long time.

Earlier this year, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office released a damning report on child sex abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, spanning several decades. Shockingly, the report, which documents over 600 abuse cases, fails to provide any contextual information about the race of the victims. However, a closer examination of the priests’ names and the churches involved reveals troubling patterns.

Out of the 27 parishes in the archdiocese with significant Black populations, at least 19, or 70%, had priests accused of sexual abuse on their staff. This disturbing statistic becomes more pronounced when considering that these abusive priests were often in residence during periods of increased Black membership and declining white membership in these parishes.

Even historically significant Black Catholic churches like St. Francis Xavier have not been spared from this crisis, as they have had abusive priests within their ranks. These allegations extend to the first Black pastor, the late Reverend Carl Fisher, who faced accusations of abusing children at another majority-Black parish he served, St. Veronica’s.

The journey towards accountability has been fraught with obstacles. In some instances, priests like Zerhusen, who faced accusations, were initially defended by the church, casting doubt on the credibility of victims. The lack of transparency and action in addressing these issues has further eroded trust within these communities.

The story of Maurice Blackwell, a celebrated homegrown Black priest from west Baltimore, also sheds light on the severity of the crisis. Despite his celebrated status, Blackwell has faced allegations of sexually abusing at least ten boys under 18, mostly at majority-Black parishes he oversaw.

Darrell Carter, one of Blackwell’s alleged victims, has recently decided to sue under new state laws. Carter’s harrowing experience includes enduring abuse in exchange for money and living in constant fear due to threats from his abuser.

These survivors, like many others, often wait decades before disclosing their abuse, leading to profound impacts on their mental health and well-being. The church’s delayed response and failure to hold abusive clergy accountable have perpetuated this cycle of suffering.

In examining these cases, it becomes evident that the Catholic Church’s legacy of racism and its role as a provider of charity have allowed abusers to exploit African American communities. Survivors like Richardson, who relied on the church for essential resources, became vulnerable targets.

Despite some efforts to address racial disparities within the church, concerns remain about the efficacy of these initiatives. The church’s history of treating African Americans as second-class citizens, coupled with the ongoing prevalence of abuse, paints a troubling picture.

The stories of Angelique Webster, who fought for justice on behalf of her daughter, and Gloria Webster, who navigated the complexities of a legal battle, underscore the gender and race dynamics at play within these legal proceedings. Their pursuit of justice led to a substantial settlement, but the process was far from easy.

Recent survivors like Richardson and Carter may face challenges in obtaining justice, as the archdiocese’s declaration of bankruptcy could limit the compensation they receive. Despite this, they hope that by sharing their stories, they can bring attention to the ongoing crisis and the need for accountability.

In conclusion, the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis in the United States has disproportionately affected Black survivors, whose stories have often remained untold and unnoticed. It is crucial to shed light on their experiences, address the legacy of racism within the church, and ensure that justice is served for all survivors, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Clergy Abuse Crisis

More about Clergy Abuse Crisis

• Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: Information on clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
• Racial Disparities in Clergy Abuse Reporting: An article discussing racial disparities in reporting clergy abuse among Black victims.
• Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sex Abuse: The official report documenting child sex abuse cases within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
• The Conversation US – Religion Coverage: Information on religion coverage, including support through collaboration with The Conversation US and Lilly Endowment Inc.