”There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.
Maya AngelouI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
A Tribute
To Victim/Survivors
Your voices have broken through decades of silence. Each word you have shared carries the weight of profound courage – courage that has shaken our community to its core and demanded that we listen, truly listen. You have taught us fundamental truths: that victims must be our first concern, that invisible wounds persist throughout lifetimes, and that protecting the vulnerable is our most sacred obligation.
Your testimonies have brought these painful experiences into the light. Your courage to speak, to make visible what had been invisible, has done more than secure recognition of your own experiences – it has created pathways to healing and protection for others. You have shown us what it truly means to see, to hear, and to witness.
We will not shroud your experiences in protective language or distance ourselves through institutional defense. The abuse you endured at the hands of one entrusted with sacred duties within the seminary community represents our tragic failure. Your suffering was real, and the impact continues to ripple through lives and families.
You chose to speak when speaking seemed impossible. You entrusted us with your stories when we had done nothing to earn that trust. This act of bravery has galvanized us into action. The safeguards we now implement, the protocols we have developed, and our commitment to transparency have received enormous momentum because you refused to let silence prevail.
Our commitment to you is this:
- We will strive to ensure your experiences are not minimized or forgotten
- Your needs and healing will remain at the center of our response
- We will continue to strengthen our safeguards and accountability measures, recognizing our own fallibility
- We will foster a community where survivors are believed, supported, and protected
- We will work to earn back trust through actions, not just words
To those still carrying unspoken burdens: We stand ready to listen when and if you choose to speak. Your timeline is your own. Your story is yours to tell or hold close. Whatever you choose, know that your healing matters more than our institution’s reputation.
As members of the communities of Westminster Abbey and the Seminary of Christ the King, we embrace our sacred duty to be ever-vigilant witnesses and protectors, so that no voice goes unheard and no suffering goes unseen.
Drawing inspiration from the angels, who stand as eternal sentinels before God’s throne – ever watchful, ever present – may we remain constant in our vigilance and unwavering in our commitment to protect those in our care. Just as angels bear witness to both human suffering and divine mercy, we too wish to bear witness to your pain and stand ready as instruments of healing.
May the holy angels assist us and unite us in peace.
With profound respect and a heartfelt commitment to change,
— Abbot Alban, the monks of Westminster Abbey, and the community of the Seminary of Christ the King