Pastor's Page:Catholics of this Millennium
August 22 ,2010
When trust is broken between parties, it is very difficult to reestablish. As in a marriage the offending party needs to prove their fidelity not only by words but by actions, and over a lengthy time period. Even then the relationship is permanently altered.
Diocese is throughout the country have established offices for the protection of children and young people. Our diocesan office is directed by Ms. Eileen Puglisi. In addition, the employees of our diocese have received training through Virtus, an organization that assists dioceses to create safe environments for children and young people by educating adults about the dynamics of abuse and predators in a preventative manner. Virtus is presently continuing their important work in our diocese and elsewhere by incorporating all Catholic ministry professionals and volunteers in their ongoing training program. We must do all in our power to make it impossible for child abusers to function.
Many bishops have met personally with victims of abuse by priests. Now grown to adulthood they need compassionate care, individual and group therapy, just and swift settlements of their legal cases, and a public apology by bishops for the destructive actions of predator priests. Too often these abusers of children were moved from assignment to assignment, their actions seen as a moral problem rather than as an incurable disease.
Legal settlements have bankrupted some dioceses and others teeter on the edge of bankruptcy, but money payments should not discourage us from acting morally no matter the consequences.
The healing of Catholic hearts, minds, and bodies extends to victims, priest victimizers, and the Catholic people. All have been in varying degrees profoundly affected by these years of scandal and the aftermath of scandal. We are a church in pain, by turns demoralized, scandalized, repentant, and astounded by the presence of evil in our midst. The United States is not alone in dealing with the crisis of clergy sexual abuse of children, and the failure to remove them immediately from ministry and bring healing to the children they victimized. Similar tales of abusive priests have racked the dioceses of Germany, Ireland and Australia.
As Catholics, we are no strangers to crisis. The foundational story of our faith is the crucifixion and death of God's only Son. The last meal he celebrated with his disciples, in the context of the Jewish Passover, was a meal of tension and transition. Soon he would be betrayed, primarily by Judas but betrayed by all who called him Rabbi. There is no moment for believers more pregnant with hope for our future than the time of Christ's crucifixion and death. We cannot gaze upon the crucified one without seeing the cross as a symbol of victory.
By the grace of God, this time of purification will lead to a new church, more attuned to the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.
Peace,
Father Bruce
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