In memory of Jeff Alfieri

February 22, 2003

Seattle survivor, Jeff Alfieri, 43 years-old, was laid to rest today in Seattle. He took his
own life last Tuesday morning. Police found him in his car with a gunshot wound to the
head. His car was parked at the Holy Family Church in Kirkland, WA, the same church
where he was "allegedly" abused as an 11 year-old for three years by Seattle priest
Rev. Gerald Moffat - now free and on "unassigned status" in the archdiocese. Jeff
reported his abuse to Seattle archdiocesan officials in June of last year and filed a lawsuit
in November. He was under the care of the Archdiocese of Seattle for his counseling and
recovery when he died. Jeff is the fourth survivor, in Washington State alone, to take his
own life as a result of abuse suffered at the hands of a priest.

I will only believe the archbishop and his intent when the church quits
playing hardball with those of us like Jeff who come forward, tell our
story, ask for justice and plead for the children to be protected. At
this time there are many right here in the archdiocese are being forced by
the archbishop to write down the names of all our sexual partners, doctors
and health care providers for the past 30-40 years. We are being asked to
detail every legal action we have ever been involved with. We are being
asked to submit complete medical/treatment files, tax returns for the past
25 years, write down in detail each incident of abuse by anyone including
location, room, etc. and detail of what happened. Name family and others
who may have knowledge of the abuse. We have to disclose a history of our
medications, drug and alcohol use. A total of 35 questions with another
17 requests for documents.

I ask you to think about Jeff. Was he in the middle of this process? Was
it easier for him to leave this world rather than to face this re-creation
and invasion of his deeply personal life. I ask you once again to think
about this then re-read the archbishop's words once again.

Jeff, I love you and I feel your pain.

Gwen Caggiano,
Survivor
February 22, 2003

Abused by Rev. Patrick Gerard O'Neill
1960 - 1963
St. Charles Borromeo, Tacoma, WA

The comments of Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett at the Funeral Mass of
Jeff Alfieri, Saturday, February 22, 2003 at noon:

My Dear Friends in Christ:

   On behalf of the entire Archdiocese of Seattle, I want to express in
the name of the Church my personal and profound sympathy to the members
of Jeff's family during this time of loss and sadness. And to you, Sue
and Ralph, I want to express my deep gratitude for inviting me to preside
at the Funeral Mass of your son Jeff.

   There are few losses more unimaginable than the loss of one's own
child. Our grief today is compounded by the awareness that your son's
life was burdened-even tormented-by memories of abuse at the hands of a
priest. In the name of the entire Catholic Church, I offer you our
deepest apology for all that Jeff suffered through the violation of
sacred trust.

   I also want to express my sadness and sorrow for the burdens that have
been placed upon your shoulders because of what the Church or its leaders
have done or failed to do. At a time of loss when questions abound and
answers are few, we turn to one another for comfort and strength and
raise our minds to the Lord for consolation and hope.

   As Archbishop, I assure you that we will continue to work tirelessly to
learn from Jeff's tragic and untimely death. We will continue to seek
the counsel and guidance of the professional community and from families
like yourselves whose insights can help guide the future in concrete and
positive ways. We will continue to offer pastoral care and outreach to
anyone who has suffered at the hands of a priest or lay leader in the Church.

   Sue and Ralph, I am deeply aware that words fail to adequately express
what we feel in our hearts at this time. Therefore, we have come
together as a sign of our support and care for you and as a symbol of our
solidarity and oneness with you during this time of mourning and
grief. Where words fail, prayer must express the deepest sentiments in
our souls.

"Christ, Divine Physician, heal our souls, bless our troubled hearts, and
give your son Jeff the peace and rest he longed for in this life. Christ,
Good Shepherd, lead us to still waters, comfort our spirits and grant your
son Jeff the serenity he so desired in this life. Christ, Light in Time
of Darkness, be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Bless your
son Jeff with the warmth of your love and the light of your salvation."

The words of the Mass state clearly and confidently, "Lord, for your
faithful people, life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly
dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting place in heaven." We pray
that Christ, who is the friend of the sick and suffering, will open the
doors of heaven to receive our brother Jeff.

We are consoled with the words of the poet Tagore, who once observed,
"Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because
the dawn has come." May Christ grant your son and our brother the light
and peace of everlasting life and grant him a safe journey into the arms
of our heavenly Father. We ask these in faith through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

BACK

HOME