Pastor's column from the September 2, 2018, bulletin.
If you are like me, you have been concerned with the recent news about the new sexual abuse scandals regarding the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania and around the world. As I said in my homily a couple weeks ago, this is sickening—and I described it as a cancer that has to be cut out. I thought it would have been brought more fully into the light when it came to the forefront in 2002 and the bishops adopted a “Zero Tolerance” policy for any infractions, yet here we are this many years later hearing about more situations. The worst is hearing about the covering up of these abuse scandals, and maybe the worst of this is to hear about a cardinal, who has been credibly implicated as an abuser. I am asking the same questions you are: How can this happen? Especially in the case of a cardinal raised to that level of authority in the church.
There has also been circulating in the last week or so a letter from Archbishop Vigano about the scandal going on in the church. It is very pointed, directly naming people and accusing clergy all the way up to the Pope himself as involved in covering up these issues. Are his accusations true? If so, I pray the truth comes out, and if not I pray the truth comes out. Either way the best disinfectant is to bring everything into the light of day, and into the Light and Truth of Christ. This is what the Church needs now for healing and for justice to be done for the victims of these horrendous crimes.
I am asking you to join me in prayer that the truth will come out. To this end we will be starting First Friday and First Saturday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Beginning Friday, October 5, at 6:00 PM, and Saturday, October 6, at 9:00 AM, we will hold these monthly devotional Masses. It is customary in these Masses to pray to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart for the reparation of sins. This will provide for us a special place to gather and pray for the reparations of sins committed, especially those of the clergy, and for healing of all victims of clergy abuse.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk.
Fr. Mark
Comments
Barbara Fisette
I so applaud your efforts in our parish to open people up to today's reality of our need for a strong Spiritual life and the Spiritual death caused by our sin.
Understanding all that this involves, I am committed to praying daily for you.
Thank you.
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