Compassionate Gathering recognizes that the whole community is hurt by sexual abuse within the setting of the Catholic Church, and that the whole community needs to be part of the healing process. We heal through supporting all the wounded, through listening to each other’s stories compassionately, and through apologizing for the wrongs committed.

We discovered that others are drawn to our message. We welcome anyone abused by individuals or society to come and share their stories of pain with us. When we listen to the wounded as often as needed, as long as needed, they begin the journey from victim to survivor.

Every person is sacred.

Coming together in community is a sacred act.

Apology is a sacred gift.

Healing is a sacred journey.

Compassionate Gathering Cofounder Virginia Pickles Jones of Portland, Oregon, survived childhood sex abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse. At age 22 she was raped on a date. She came to the clergy abuse issue when the priest who baptized her Catholic in June 2001, was removed 11 months later because he abused boys. The resulting pain, grief and anger experienced by her parish caused her to understand that clergy abuse hurts the whole Catholic Church.
    compassion500@aol.com
    503-866-6163

Compassionate Gathering Cofounder Elizabeth Goeke of Portland, Oregon, is a former Catholic, a former Benedictine Sister, a survivor of priest abuse and a clinical counselor. She found advocacy for abuse survivors an important part of her own healing and spiritual journey.
    ergoeke@comcast.net