Constructive anger, anger that spurs one on to seek change is very powerful and needs to be harnessed.   Destructive anger wishes only to tear down.  Some victims of clergy sexual abuse have constructive anger.  Others have destructive anger.  I would risk going out on a limb to say some victims have both. 

I have also experienced both kinds of anger displayed in the laity.  There is a distinct difference though in their destructive anger.  Some people have turned it onto the Church itself but a disturbing number of people have turned it on to the victims.  It’s an old story, blame the victim.  It is that destructive anger that needs to be defeated or should I say converted to constructive anger.

Why after all this time has so little been done for victims?  At least that is the way it seems.  That is what should make the laity angry.  That is the anger that needs to be converted to constructive anger.  Everyone who want’s change needs to do something!