Breaking: Papal legate leaves Eucharistic Congress to go pilgrimage in reparation for Irish clerical abuse

[lizardley]

Breaking: Papal legate Cardinal Oulette leaves Eucharistic Congress to go pilgrimage in reparation for Irish clerical abuse, Scotland’s newest bishop Stephen Robson reports at end of his IEC live blog on day 3 of congress.

Read more here: sconews.co.uk/opinion/19691/live-blog-from-iec-2012-papal-legate-reparation-abuse/

Want to catch up on bishop at ICE, read earlier blog posts (newest to oldest).
Day 2, blog 2 Irish language Mass and parish event
sconews.co.uk/opinion/19672/live-blog-from-iec-2012-day-2-blog-2-irish-language-mass-and-parish-event/
Day 2, Christian unity
sconews.co.uk/opinion/19639/live-blog-from-iec-2012-day-2-christian-unity/
What an opening, ‘like a homecoming’
sconews.co.uk/opinion/19589/live-blog-from-iec-2012-what-an-opening-like-a-homecoming/

 

[trials]

I think it’s a good public gesture and a good witness for the rest of us Catholics who aren’t sure how to deal with the barrage of revelations about the Church in the media - pray.

The sad thing is, and I said it elsewhere, is that these victims of abuse are permanently damaged by their abusers. Their lives are forever marked by what happened to them, and they will cry out for comfort their whole lives like a newborn crying with hunger. Apologies, compensation, grand gestures, damning reports, meetings will never be enough to heal their memories. I saw already that they’re calling for a meeting with the Papal legate. Previous to this, they’ve had meetings with Cardinal Brady, public apologies - in truth, none of these are going to fix what has happened to them. And this is borne out by the fact that having their first request granted, they move on to another request, thinking they will be at peace if they could only get the next apology or report. They are trying to come to terms with the silent trauma they experienced for years, and yet nothing is giving them solace.

We know true and permanent healing can only be found with Christ, so we can pray that their faith is deepened in their sorrow, but what an obstacle they have to get over to deepen their faith, when their memories of the Church are so painful.

 

[grannymh]

I think it’s a good public gesture and a good witness for the rest of us Catholics who aren’t sure how to deal with the barrage of revelations about the Church in the media - pray.

The sad thing is, and I said it elsewhere, is that these victims of abuse are permanently damaged by their abusers. Their lives are forever marked by what happened to them, and they will cry out for comfort their whole lives like a newborn crying with hunger. Apologies, compensation, grand gestures, damning reports, meetings will never be enough to heal their memories. I saw already that they’re calling for a meeting with the Papal legate. Previous to this, they’ve had meetings with Cardinal Brady, public apologies - in truth, none of these are going to fix what has happened to them. And this is borne out by the fact that having their first request granted, they move on to another request, thinking they will be at peace if they could only get the next apology or report. They are trying to come to terms with the silent trauma they experienced for years, and yet nothing is giving them solace.

We know true and permanent healing can only be found with Christ, so we can pray that their faith is deepened in their sorrow, but what an obstacle they have to get over to deepen their faith, when their memories of the Church are so painful.

I am here at the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.

There is a sense of healing here.

I am only a granny from the U.S. but I can join with my Irish sisters and brothers as we pray before the Eucharist that the tragedies which have occurred will be followed by a resurrection of new life.

There is a huge “prayer space” here where there is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Hundreds of people, including many priests, keep coming to kneel before our loving and merciful Savior. Would those who are fortunate to have Adoration of the Eucharist sometime this week, please make a special visit to join with us here in prayer for our Church.

The universal Catholic Church is represented here in Dublin. 80,000 people from across Ireland and all the continents of the world are expected for the closing ceremony and especially for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At this Sunday’s Mass, please join us in special prayers for those who have been hurt and are still hurting and for those who are responsible for the pain. They too need healing.

We are one body of one Lord, Who hung bleeding on a cross.

 

[The_Scott]

I am here at the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.

There is a sense of healing here.

I am only a granny from the U.S. but I can join with my Irish sisters and brothers as we pray before the Eucharist that the tragedies which have occurred will be followed by a resurrection of new life.

There is a huge “prayer space” here where there is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Hundreds of people, including many priests, keep coming to kneel before our loving and merciful Savior. Would those who are fortunate to have Adoration of the Eucharist sometime this week, please make a special visit to join with us here in prayer for our Church.

The universal Catholic Church is represented here in Dublin. 80,000 people from across Ireland and all the continents of the world are expected for the closing ceremony and especially for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At this Sunday’s Mass, please join us in special prayers for those who have been hurt and are still hurting and for those who are responsible for the pain. They too need healing.

We are one body of one Lord, Who hung bleeding on a cross.

Wow. I must be honest: reading your post made me cry. Beautifully written. Thank you for the report.