The clergy sex-abuse scandal deeply affected Syracuse and many other communities. One local group is trying to promote healing – far past church contrition and financial settlements.
Matthew FitzGibbons buried the abuse he suffered as a child for decades. The memories came roaring back at age 57.
“It affects everything, the anger at the church. For me, the church was my lifelong rock. And to have the basis of my life mission be pulled off as maybe it's a hoax,” FitzGibbons said. “And then you start questioning, everything that you think you believe in now becomes suspect.”
And it was jarring. He lost his job; relationships with family, siblings and friendships were affected. He actually could forgive his abuser for being sick, but not the church for the lengthy cover-up.
Still FitzGibbons felt he couldn't give up the church, saying that he felt a message from God, "I've had moments of really dark times, even as the church is ending its legal issues, that's opened up a lot of things for me," he said. "But having that reassurance that my God does exist. And not only that, God told me, not only do I exist, but I'm a part of your DNA."
FitzGibbons is part of Hope, Healing and Solidarity. Former Catholic Priest Dave Pasinski helped start the group where survivors, clergy and laypeople can share their hurt – or their guilt – as a way to spread understanding.
“How do we unite with those who've been abused? How do we promote a sense of hope that there will be change? And obviously the healing, the healing has to be broader than those who are survivors. And also, how else does the community heal and recognize our own hearts, whatever might have been, even just ignorance or willful ignorance,” said Pasinski.
The Syracuse Diocese agreed to a $176 million settlement fund to compensate victims of clergy abuse. Pasinski said those reparations are just a small part of healing for all who might feel hurt and betrayed by the church.
Michael Koplinka-Loehr said he remembers the abuse he suffered every day. He argues open sharing can help heal all the types of hurt.
“It's psychological, it's physical, it's emotional, it's spiritual if it's someone from a faith community. So, we have to understand the long-term impact, and that is something that most people don't have that concept. They feel like, ‘get over it.’ Well, I would love to get over it. Give me that pill. But I'm a survivor and I deal with it every single day,” Koplinka-Loehr said.
Koplinka-Loehr suggests healing is a long-term process, regardless of how deep the harm, anger or betrayal is felt. He added, clergy abuse is part of a larger problem, citing research from Child USA in Philadelphia, "One in six males are sexually abused before the age of 18. ... And most males do not tell anybody. The average age of disclosure is 52. That's a long time to carry it inside."
He believes the church can reform, and sharing and learning through group events can help address difficult topics and increase understanding.
Pasinski said he'd like the Hope, Healing and Solidarity gatherings to spread.
"I think the outcome would be to have people just walk away from this and say, take this back to their parishes. Is there any way that this would be helpful to your parish to bring forth a lot of feelings that were suppressed and tell your pastor, especially about it, that it's not threatening, there's some blame pointing, but it's not vindictive," Pasinski said. "The outcome we'd want is different individuals and parishes to say, okay, we can deal with this up front. We don't have to sweep it under (the rug), their side saying, 'oh, this was only an aberration.' No, it was an institutional problem."
Hope, Healing and Solidarity will hold a service Friday and a workshop Saturday, both at Le Moyne College.
- April 17, 2026 @ 6:30pm: Healing Service for survivors of sexual abuse and allies.
LeMoyne College Chapel 1419 Salt Springs Road Syracuse NY - April 18, 2026 10:00am - 3:00 pm: The Reality and Lived Experience of Moral Injury
LeMoyne College
All are welcome, organizers say, to help all who are affected by clergy abuse.
