Paul Fericano - SafeNet

SafeNet

SafeNet was first created as a volunteer organization by Fericano and John McCord, also a survivor from St. Antony's Seminary in Santa Barbara, California, with the purpose of helping everyone who had been impacted by the crisis, including the offenders themselves. Fericano founded the organization to help promote a dialogue to promote healing and reconciliation among survivors of sexual abuse by priests. The first revelations of abuse happened in 1990.

Fericano has stated that his own healing process has included forgiveness, which he maintains must be a willing act to have any real effect or meaning in a person's life. “It’s a gift you give yourself,” he told the Santa Barbara Independent in 2008. “It has nothing to do with the other person accepting responsibility for his actions. It’s a great act of mercy and compassion you have for yourself.”