Child sex abuse survivor, bishop meet at church where survivor was abused decades ago
ROUND LAKE, NY (WRGB) — Stephen Mittler had not been to Sunday Mass in close to 30 years, but this Sunday he made an exception--for a private meeting with Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, calling himself the face of the abused.
Mittler had not come to worship at Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake, but to be heard--and to listen--and he did not come alone. His two children, and dozens of friends family and strangers --all wearing blue as a sign of peace and solidarity--offered their support.
Childhood friend Iain Walker was among them. “Steve’s come out full force, not hiding who he is. It takes a great deal of courage to do that.”
Mittler says Father Mark Haight groomed him at Corpus Christi and then sexually abused him for years.
MORE: Exclusive: Saratoga Man speaks out after settlement with Diocese in abuse lawsuit
“I should never have met Mark Haight. He should have been arrested and in prison right now,” he said.
As head of the diocese, and while facing hundreds of similar child victims act lawsuits, Scharfenberger promised to walk in the footsteps of the hundreds of CVA plaintiffs as a way of healing. Mittler took him literally--inviting the bishop to begin a dialogue on the very spot where he says he met his alleged abuser. The bishop agreed, although he would not comment on Sunday, saying the day belonged to Mittler, who called the meeting productive.
“For me it’s an awareness and a transparency campaign. Dozens of people have reached out to me and said me, too. And the bishop ... I talked to him about what happened in the '80s and '90s and how we need to finish telling the story. “
Mittler listened intently but did not participate during the service itself, as the bishop spoke to the congregation about the clergy abuse scandal in the church.
MORE: What Are Your Rights by Martin, Harding & Mazzotti: Child Victims Act
“Stephen is the face of this, but he is not the only(one). Now, I admire his courage, but I recognize there are many survivors who suffer in silence.”
Scharfenberger went on to encourage all those who had been abused by clergy to reach out to him directly.
“I want no one to suffer in silence. Takeaway from Stephen. You can always call me.”
The Mass included prayers for all victims of sexual abuse, and later, the bishop shared a sign of peace with Mittler and his family.
MORE: Former bishop's testimony on child victims lawsuits made public
“Being able to talk about sex abuse on the pulpit takes a lot”, said Mittler after Mass. "It’s a shocking topic for people to hear, and I appreciate that he identified me personally and personalized the Mass that way.”
I spoke directly to Bishop Scharfenberger, who assured me he will sit down and talk to me about this case and the hundreds of CVA cases the church is facing.
Mittler told me the two will meet again in August.
