Three Safe Environment Review Board members receive Madeleine Award

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester (standing) prepares to present the Madeleine Medal of Appreciation to Review Board members (seated, from left) Penny Jameson, Rosemary Baron and Deacon Mike Bulson. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — Rosemary Baron, Deacon Mike Bulson and Penny Jameson received the Madeleine Medal of Appreciation for Faithful Service award from the Most Rev. John C. Wester during a Review Board meeting for the Safe Environment Program Jan. 31.

The Madeleine Medal of Appreciation for Faithful Service is a new award in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. It was created by Vicar General Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw in response to a need expressed by several pastors for such an award, he said. The award honors those who have exemplified faithful service to the parish or community over many years.

Bishop Wester thanked the three and said, "I really appreciate the time that you have given." All three were charter board members and served for 10 years.

"As you know, we asked people to be on this board for your experience, your expertise, for your caring and your concern," Bishop Wester said. "It’s not an easy board to be on. As a bishop friend of mine says, it’s kind of looking at the dark side of the good news. It’s a part of the ministry that we don’t like to think that there are problems, but we know that there are."

The board needs competent people who can help ensure that the diocese is ministering properly and protecting the children and young people. "You have been very helpful to us, giving us the objectivity that we need," the bishop continued. "It’s something that we can never rest on."

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, was instrumental in starting the review board in 2003 and serving on it. He said of the three recipients, "Deacon Bulson offered a unique perspective as both clergy and a practicing attorney who serves the public, especially the poor with legal services. Rosemary is a well-respected public school principal, who brought the educational experience with her leadership as chairwoman, as well as faithful dedication to ensuring that these new programs were the best they could be. Penny was a tremendous help in speaking from the perspective of a clinical psychologist who had worked with victims of abuse and helped us understand the inner workings of the suffering that victims endured. All three of these people took their work on the board very seriously and were a tremendous help to myself and the diocese as we established our Safe Environment policies."

The review board began after the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked every diocese in the United States to establish one in response to the cases of sexual abuse by clergy of minors came to light in the early 2000s, Msgr. Fitzgerald said.

In 1989, Bishop William Weigand had already begun strong policies about reporting immediately to law authorities allegations of any kind of child abuse on the part of clergy, and issued a pastoral letter that was published nationally, Msgr. Fitzgerald said.

When the board was established, one of its responsibilities was to review all of the old files of allegations to ensure they had been properly handled, he added.

Jameson said serving on the board has been a hopeful process and what stands out for her was Bishop George Niederauer’s eagerness to have a transparent process in place.

Bishop Niederauer was Bishop of Salt Lake City when the board was established and is now retired Archbishop of San Francisco.

"We also designed a process to educate both children and people charged with the care of these children about safety, and what is permissible or not," Jameson said. On a more pro-active mode, background checks were put into place."

Barron said the creation of the diocesan Office of Safe Environment was important. "Every issue related to children – who would be able to work with them and what special clearance or training they may need – went through that office," she said. "There was a huge affirmation from all of the participants on the board, that they wanted to make things right. So we came together every month in the beginning and now four times each year. In the beginning, it was such a painful and difficult time for our Catholic Church all over our world, but particularly in our diocese. I did not want to initially serve on the board, but I am so grateful that I had the opportunity."

Deacon Bulson said reviewing allegations of abuse was not easy. "It was a difficult process, making recommendations to Bishop Niederauer regarding those cases, but in many ways it was edifying for me to see how the Church reacted to the scandal both on a national level and in our own diocese," he said. "The whole procedure was very open and honest and even though it was painful, and anguished at times, I think it helped begin the process of healing and restoring credibility."

In more recent years, the board has continued to develop programs for protecting children and screening the adults who are in contact with them through the diocese, Deacon Bulson said. "It was a mixed experience, but an honor to work with the board."