February 21, 2021, 6:52 PM

Cherin Marie to Anne Kessler

Cc: Eve Ahrens, Joanna Rudenborg, [Advocate A], Brenda Dumper, Stewart Ruch, Eirik Olsen, Steve Wiliamson

Dear Anne,

Thank you for all of the time and hard work you have dedicated to this. I’m sorry that we never got a chance to get to know each other at Rez, but I’ve been very grateful to have you overseeing this process. Your sincere compassion and desire to learn and grow through this has been apparent, and is something that has given me comfort and hope as we collaborate with the church on how to respond to this extremely troubling and painful situation.

Your recent email mentioned that you, Bishop Stewart, and Fr. Eirik will be doing a second round of interviews with the firms you are considering; I’m writing to specifically communicate where my family is at in relation to that process. I apologize if what I have to say comes as a surprise. I realize I haven’t personally reached out to share my feelings about this selection process until now, but this seems like an important time to do so. I am speaking only on behalf of myself and my family, and want to state that this is not necessarily reflective of how the group feels. 

After reading through their websites and doing some general research about these three firms, I am extremely concerned about all of them, for numerous reasons, and I am grieved that some are even being considered as options by the diocese. I believe Joanna has already shared some of these specific concerns with you, so I will not restate them here, but I would like to explain what the diocese hiring one of these firms would effectively mean for my family. 

So far the legal process for [redacted]’s case has fallen woefully short in almost every way, but it is nonetheless the only hope we have of protecting future victims from Mark’s abuse. [redacted identifying information] I am deeply troubled that these firms are willing to undergo an investigation that might undermine the already small chance of Mark being convicted. Even the slightest discrepancy in witness accounts can lead to a case being dismissed, and a predator walking free, which is exactly why GRACE is unwilling to take any steps that might lead to this happening. Because of this, I would not be able to give interviews to or even speak with any of these firms, should the diocese hire them, as it would be unsafe for me or my family to do so.  

Something I’ve only recently come to understand, from my research these past several weeks, is how much damage can be done by an investigative firm who is not truly focused on supporting victims. I have sadly encountered story after story of investigative firms being hired by organizations and institutions (religious and otherwise) who professed concern for victims, but turned out to be entirely focused on protecting their client (the organization); most actually worked in direct opposition of abuse victims, in order to minimize potential legal ramifications for the organization, causing additional pain and trauma to these victims in the process. Unfortunately, these are concerns that I have with each of the three firms you are most considering. I have been very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the diocese on all of this, but I would regretfully need to step back from this process if one of these firms were hired, in order to protect my family and safeguard [redacted]’s case.

When we initially asked for an independent investigation, we had GRACE primarily in mind, but assumed there were other comparable options available. At this point I have searched extensively for another organization that does what GRACE does, and I have failed to find even one. There are a significant number of firms, like the three you are considering, which do offer independent investigation services and organizational assessments, but they are not like GRACE, and they do not do what GRACE does. GRACE is unique in being a truly independent third party, in the way that they focus on and prioritize victims, and in the thoroughness and care with which they bring victims stories to light.

I realize that ultimately this decision belongs to the diocese, and that I do not have any right to ask for my voice to be considered in relation to this decision. I am nonetheless urging you to reconsider these options. My family is specifically asking the diocese to hire GRACE, if it is willing to do so.

Because of what we’ve learned recently from GRACE themselves, it seems that the independent investigation, and possibly even the organizational assessment, would need to wait until a later time in order to be done as safely and thoroughly as possible. I believe GRACE could still be invaluable in offering immediate training and support to create a safe space for victims within the church and the diocese, and we would greatly prefer that any investigation or organizational assessment be postponed until they are able to be safely carried out by GRACE.    

Thank you,

Cherin