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  Winona Group Seeks Healing after Priest Abuse

KARE [Winona MN]
Downloaded May 23, 2004

A Winona Catholic group hopes their organization will help the area heal from the priest sex abuse scandal.

The Winona Voice of the Faithful plans to hold a Mass for Healing Sunday at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish to pray for healing in the church.

Group co-chairman Mary Sherman says the scandal hurt clergy who have been faithful to their vows. She also says some people want to put the abuse behind them, but argues that it's not possible without change.

The Reverend Daniel Dernek will celebrate the Mass. In a church-bulletin essay, he encourages victims to begin healing by talking about their abuse.

Diocese communications director Ivan Kubista says Winona was among the first dioceses to implement a sexual abuse policy in the late 1980s.