Haines Family Stands Behind Son Filing Suit Alleging Sexual Abuse
Episcopal News Service. September 7, 1994 [94158]
Frances Antonucci Beard, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Washington
At a recent press conference in Washington, D.C., Bishop Ronald Haines of the Diocese of Washington and his wife Mary stood behind their son as he announced his lawsuit alleging sexual abuse while he was a minor. The press conference held at a downtown D.C. law office, was organized by Survivor Connections, Inc., a support organization for victims of abuse.
Surrounded by photographs of himself at age eight, a grim-faced Jeffrey Haines, now 34, told reporters, "Beginning in 1968 when I was eight years old, I was repeatedly sexually abused by a priest named Faulton Hodge in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. This sexual abuse continued through the time I was 20 years old."
Jeffrey Haines said Faulton Hodge robbed him of his childhood. "I was raised to trust the church and those in authority within it. However, I have been betrayed and the sacred bond between the church and a member of its congregation has been broken," he said.
In a supporting statement prepared by himself and his wife, Ronald Haines said, "The betrayal by one we thought to be a family friend has been devastating. Jeffrey has struggled mightily to connect severed strands in his life. Our son was made to feel ashamed and guilty before God by an adult whom he admired. That abusive action foisted onto an unsuspecting youth has extracted a great price in terms of spiritual, psychological, physical pain."
In a statement released today, Bishop Robert H. Johnson of the Diocese of Western North Carolina also remarked on the emotional toll exacted by the allegations: "The very filing of these charges and the agony that many will have to endure casts a pall upon much of our church life. I would be less than honest if I denied the distress this causes me, but I believe that the truth will indeed set us free. We must seek that truth, face it, accept it [and] live with it....We will do all we can to make sure that our churches are safe places for all people at all times." Hodge was an active layman in the community before he entered seminary in 1970, returning to the diocese in 1972 to serve parishes until his retirement in 1987. One of his alleged victims came forward and on July 30 filed his own suit against Hodge.
The Haines' expressed pride in their son and support for his action in filing both a civil suit and a criminal complaint. The legal action is necessary, Jeffrey Haines said, because the church and its leaders offered him "nothing but lip service." Jeffrey confronted Bishop Johnson and his chancellor, or legal advisor, with his allegations last February and met with diocesan officials in May.
"From the time Jeffrey Haines and his attorneys first came to me several months ago the diocese has attempted to be responsive to him. We have been in touch with him, listened to his story and started our own investigation of his accusations against Faulton Hodge. We have been open to receive all of the information that he and his attorneys have been willing to give us," Bishop Johnson said in his statement.
Jeffrey said that over 15 months of investigation he has discovered other victims of Hodge. He charges that both retired Bishop Weinhauer and Bishop Johnson "had received information that Faulton Hodge was engaging in sex with parishioners" but have taken no apparent action. "I challenge them to stand before these cameras, the people of the Episcopal Church and God and deny these charges," Jeffrey told reporters.
Ronald and Mary Haines said they were told about their son's sexual abuse last year. "It was a devastating revelation but as a family we made the decision to take responsible action," they said.
Bishop Johnson told his diocese, "Our feelings and hearts go out to Ron and Mary Haines, to Jeffrey Haines, to Faulton Hodge, to the people of Holy Communion Parish, Glendale Springs, and to the people of St. Francis' Parish, Rutherfordton, as we contemplate this very disturbing issue." During an interview, Jeffrey said that his struggle has been a long and very difficult one, going from victim to survivor. As a result of his abuse, he was deeply alienated from his own family, a situation he is attempting to repair with therapeutic help. "I have sincerely tried to resolve this matter privately and in an amicable manner since February 1994. The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Western North Carolina have failed me again."
Jeffrey thinks his case might receive more attention because he is the son of a bishop.