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Letters, Documents and Photographs Relating to SafeNet's Departure from Mission Santa Barbara
SafeNet's departure from the Mission is being documented here.
To read the current posts, please scroll to the bottom of this section.
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On December 4, 2011, John Hardin, O.F.M., Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara, verbally notified Paul Fericano, Director of SafeNet, that he and SafeNet would no longer be welcome at Mission Santa Barbara and that he would have to vacate his office and residence in 26 days, as of January 1, 2012 (since extended to February 1, 2012).
The vote to remove SafeNet from Mission Santa Barbara was apparently decided by the Franciscan definitorium (the leadership council of nine elected friars), although this has never been confirmed. Paul Fericano believes the administration took this action based on discussions with Richard McManus, O.F.M., current guardian of Mission Santa Barbara, who, since his appointment in 2006, has disapproved of SafeNet and shown no interest in ministering to a community in need of healing and reconciliation.
After nine years of service in the Province, SafeNet's eviction was undertaken without any prior notice or consultation. It was not given a hearing or a review and was denied any avenue of appeal. Paul Fericano believes SafeNet's removal may, in part, be a punitive act as a result of his successful effort to establish the Solidarity Project memorial on the Mission grounds in July, 2011--a project approved in 2005 by the previous Mission guardian and leadership.
Welcome to SafeNet
Established in March of 2003, SafeNet is a non profit organization founded by survivors of clergy sexual abuse that supports healing for all who have been victimized by the crisis. Since that time we have helped hundreds of survivors, family members, friends and communities.
While our focus in the past has been on survivors, secondary survivors, parishes, communities and religious in the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara, we are now available to the principals in all dioceses. SafeNet is not alligned with any religion or religious organization. We strive to work directly with all sides and to engage in honest dialogue.
Survivor Outreach Services
By partnering with various dioceses, agencies and ministries, SafeNet's Survivor Outreach Services offers survivors options and services that aid and further the healing process, including access to therapy, educational assistance, emergency financial aid and support for restorative justice programs.
An Open Letter to All Survivors and to All Who Have Been Hurt by the Clergy Abuse Crisis
Important: The intent of this Open Letter is to raise awareness of how everyone, not just survivors, has felt the impact of the clergy abuse crisis. Survivors were the driving force behind this letter, but you don't have to be a survivor to participate. We are urging anyone who feels they've been affected by this crisis and who agrees with what is being put forward here, to add their name to the Open Letter.
This will be an ongoing project of SafeNet. Names will be added and updated regularly. If you would like to sign, please send us an email. Instructions for doing so are at the end of the Open Letter.
The Solidarity Project
After six years, The Solidarity Project memorial was formally dedicated at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2011, on the grounds of the Mission Renewal Center at Old Mission Santa Barbara. In its simplicity, the memorial consists of an old St. Anthony's Seminary athletic bench and a large rock. Both bear plaques commemorating the occasion. This project never would have been possible without the support and encouragement of so many from the very beginning. We thank you all.
Angelica Jochim, M.F.T., outreach coordinator for the Franciscan's Office of Pastoral Outreach, speaking at the Solidarity Project dedication ceremony on July 9, 2011. (Photo by Jim Favre)
Resources
PASTORAL
The Franciscan Office of Pastoral Outreach
The Pastoral Outreach Coordinator, Angelica Jochim, MFT, is available for anyone who needs assistance and support. If you feel you may have been a victim of clergy abuse by a member of the Franciscan order of the Province of St. Barbara, or if you are a family member, schoolmate, parishioner, or anyone else that has been impacted by the abuse, please contact Angelica by phone, mail, or email. All communications are strictly private and confidential.
