As a victim of abuse, I must comment. The prayers are lovely and well stated. I, however, need to acknowledge the need for accountability and taking responsibility. Forgiveness does not mean, forgive and forget. Forgiveness requires that we remember we have forgiven abusers. I know, from firsthand experience how difficult it is to forgive and how difficult it is to remember that you have forgiven. I also know that all actions come with consequences and abusers need to be removed from positions of authority within the church when required.
Those preist who abused children stand little, if any, chance of benefitting from treatment. Those who abused teenaged persons, however, seem to benefit from treatment programs. I decided to not seek money as I do not need any. I do, however, expect the problem to be dealt with in an open, transparent manner. This means the firing of abusive preists and the turning of priests over to civil authorities.
Additionally, there is much talk of Bishops who shifted priests from parish to parish. In hindsight, we can see that this was the practice in years past and that Bishops acted in a manner they found to be the common practice. In the 1970’s most families dealt with the problem in secret and covered things up as well. This being stated, it must be acknowledged that some Bishops have learned their lesson and totally adapted how they deal with abusers and are acting as I suggest. There are, however, Bishops that continue the same practice as this sexual abuse reality is now starting to be acknowledged in Asia, South America and other areas where the practices of old are alive and well with sexually abuse priests being moved around, documents hidden, and denial the common approach.
I do not advocate the appraoch of SNAP but do advocate justice. Sin can be forgiven but it this does not mean actions come without consequences.
It has taken me many years to understand the need to forgive and I have. And yes, I constantly have to remind myself I have forgiven. This stated, we need to approach this by purging this elements from roles of leadership and this needs to be transparent.
A while ago, I saw victims protesting outside a Cathedral. I was stunned that those inside the cathedral did not have the common sense to go outside, admit their sins and minister to those protesting. No, they were just ignored. How on earth will this lead to healing? It will not. It may reduce liability but it will never be a bridge to healing.
I am fully aware there are many good priests, about 97%. And, I feel sad they have been painted with the same brush as abuse victims because they have served the church well. I am also aware this problem has been blamed upon gay priests which angers me as The Bishops commission a study that showed this was not a gay crime but a heterosexual crime given the vast majority of those charged with this crime were heterosexual… The study they commissioned drew no correlation to sexual abuse and homosexuality. Now this blaming of the problem on gay clergy is not only silly but detracts from addressing the real predators.
I guess what I am trying to share is: Your prayers are good but pray must also come with actions just as faith must have actions.
