(Photo Credit Josh Applegate – Unsplash)
By Pamela Walsh
Shortly after Archbishop Donald Bolen was installed to serve as Archbishop of Regina, I and other victims reached out and requested to meet with him. We learned he was unaware of the area’s deep legacy of clergy sexual abuse. At the initial and subsequent meetings, he learned of the deep legacy of abuse and the painful, retraumatizing and broken process that myself and other victims were subjected to when they came to the church to report abuse. Those initial conversations resulted in an understanding and willingness on his part to walk with and work with victims. Over the next five years, through difficult but collaborative conversations with all parties, we have made significant changes both to prevent future abuse and to accompany victims. We continue to take steps to help the institution to listen to, learn from and walk with victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
At the time, the Archdiocese of Regina, like other dioceses, did not have a dedicated position to work with victims of clergy sexual abuse, and it was evident that was desperately needed. In January 2021, the Victim Services and Advocacy position was created, with me taking the position. The primary focus was on victims, including advocating for victims, accompanying them and assisting the diocese in proactive and educational work to make the church as safe a place as possible…
