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CNN Live Today

Diocese of San Jose Working to Restore Faith in Church

Aired August 13, 2002 - 10:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church has created a crisis of confidence, but the diocese of San Jose is working to restore faith in the church, and church leaders.
Isabel Duran from CNN affiliate KRON has details of a controversial move involving confessions.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISABEL DURAN, KRON REPORTER (voice-over): In order to restore a sense of security and safety, the diocese of San Jose is changing the way people go to confession. Bishop Patrick McGraph (ph) has ordered all 52 Catholic parishes in the diocese to install windows and confessionals to reduce the chance of sexual misconduct occurring. St. Thomas at Canterbury (ph) Church has already done it, and the Basilica itself no longer takes confession behind a closed door.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And then as a temporary adaptation, they've put this curtain and the priest sits on this side of the curtain. The pennant kneels there, and then that door is left open, so that anybody walking by can see.

DURAN: Catholics leaving the basilica question the policy's impact, but they appreciate the effort.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's good to see that the church is listening and is able to make changes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would feel comfortable, because I've been with face-to-face confession, which is...

DURAN (on camera): So it's not disturbing to see this changes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, no, to have it out in the public, even though they're not hearing it; they're still seeing you; I don't know.

DURAN: Father Jose Rubio recently replaced another priest at Five Wounds Portuguese Church, who faced sexual abuse allegations, causing division in that parish. Until five wounds get its glass window, confessions are made in the openness of the church pew, which is disturbing to some.

Father Rubio says, in the long term, the change will protect both parishioners and priests.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think we were surprised. I think we're agreeing to it. We think it's a good idea, given the circumstances. We think it's the right thing to do.

DURAN: Isabel Duran, KRON 4 News.

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