Sins of the Fathers
ChrisOLeary.com > Sins of the Fathers > TOC > Professional Help

Never read the comments.

That's what they say.

Usually, for good reason.

I generally follow that rule but, for whatever reason, I descided to jump into the comments of DC priest describes a culture of cover-up in wake of McCarrick scandal.

I guess I was bothered by the few comments I read — comments by Catholic loyalists — and decided to try to inject a dose of reality into the discussion. 

One of the comments I made was this.

FYI, the Archdiocese of St. Louis does NOTHING to help survivors.
- Nothing
And worse.
- Abuse of the Abused

To which someone replied.

You might be better off seeking some professional help.

That's a fairly ironic comment, given that I've spent the past 18 years doing just that.

To no avail.

Professional Help

The reason this statement and ones like it cut so hard and and so deep is that I did.

First in May 2011, when I received only lies, Gaslighting, and the run-around.

I then went to Catholic Family Services and they refused to help me.

That's why there are mental health professionals.

Right, and mental health professionals cost money.

And, when I went to the Archdiocese of St. Louis and asked them to pay for my access to those same mental health professionals — which I couldn't afford — they refused.

You might be better off seeking some professional help.

Oh I did, multiple times.

From the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Because professional help is EXPENSIVE.

First from Cardinal Dolan, who Gaslighted me.

- Timothy Cardinal Dolan

I eventually learned, during my conversation with Archbishop Carlson, that it's the policy of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to NOT help survivors.

- Archbishop Carlson Meeting